Why doesn't my Indesit washing machine drain or spin?
It's not uncommon for an Indesit washing machine to suddenly stop washing, freeze mid-cycle, and neither drain nor spin. Whether it's an Indesit, Ariston, Samsung, or another brand, the reason a washing machine won't drain or spin isn't significant, but there are differences. In this article, we'll discuss the problems that cause this symptom specifically in Indesit washing machines, focusing on the technical weaknesses of these machines.
The main causes of the problem
Without further ado, let's dive right into the main reasons why your Indesit "home assistant" refuses to drain or spin. Much will depend on the condition of the washing machine itself. If the equipment is old and poorly maintained, almost any fault can surface, so you'll need to check each internal component one by one until you find the problem. If the equipment is relatively new, we recommend focusing on the most common issues specific to Indesits.
However, first of all, check your washing machine's filter for blockages and any accidentally trapped items. Even if you regularly clean your Indesit washing machine's filter, there's no guarantee that a sock, handkerchief, or pair of panties didn't get caught under the cuff during the last wash.
A crumpled sock, stuck in the drain pipe or lodged in the filter, will inevitably prevent the water from draining, and if there is no drain, the spin cycle will not start.
We need to drain the water from the drum anyway, which means we can't do without unscrewing the filter. Lift the front of the washing machine, tilting it backward, and place the rim of a shallow container under the drum to catch the water as you unscrew the filter. Unscrew the debris filter and drain all the soapy water from the drum. If the filter is clean, that doesn't mean there are no blockages. Later, as we disassemble the machine, we'll also check the hoses, but that'll come later. Now we need to determine the list of parts that need to be checked for damage. These parts are:
- drive belt;
- pump;
- tachogenerator;
- engine;
- brushes;
- control module.
Drive belt
The budget Indesit washing machine has two main weak points: the motor and the drive mechanism. Both the design and quality of these two components leave much to be desired. According to statistics, within the first year of operation, one in fourteen Indesit washing machines experiences problems with either the motor, the drive belt, or the tachogenerator.
In our case, this is crucial, as each of the above issues could potentially cause the Indesit washing machine to stop draining and spinning. We'll start by checking the drive belt.
- We take the machine to a place where there is more free space.
- We unscrew the corresponding screws and remove the back wall.
- We inspect the internal parts of the washing machine.
The washing machine's internal components are revealed: the large and small pulleys, the drive belt stretched between the pulleys, the rear wall of the tub, the large pulley's central bolt, the motor, the heating element, and the drain pipe. We'll be primarily interested in the drive belt. Grasp the large pulley with both hands and begin rotating it back and forth.
The pulley should rotate with some effort, and the belt should be properly tensioned. If the belt sags or shifts when the pulley rotates, it needs to be replaced. Some mechanics, trying to tighten a loose Indesit washing machine belt, loosen and then tighten the motor mounts, thereby shifting the pulley by a few millimeters. This solves the problem, and the machine runs for 1-1.5 months, then the problem reoccurs. If you want your machine to run for a relatively long time, replace the belt. Learn how in this article. How to install a belt on a washing machine?
A loose belt prevents the motor from spinning the drum at high speed. This causes a system error, which causes the washing machine to freeze.
Drain pump
Some components of Indesit washing machines aren't known for their reliability and performance. In particular, the pump has a very limited lifespan, especially for washing machines assembled in Russia. Just a few days ago, our technicians encountered a rather interesting case. The Indesit washing machine had been working flawlessly for three years, then stopped draining and spinning. The technician checked the pump and, finding that the electric motor had failed, replaced it.
However, the new pump also began operating at approximately twice its normal load, which would inevitably lead to its failure in the future. Ultimately, it turned out that the main reason for the pump's extremely limited service life was the excessively long drain hose. The fact is that the longer the drain hose, the greater the load on the drain pump, which is forced to push a larger volume of water through it. And if the hose is also connected incorrectly, the load on the pump can increase not only by 2, but by 3 times.
In the case we described, when the owners connected the washing machine, the sewer line was far away. They had to install a drain hose with a total length of almost 8 meters. There was no other way to connect the washing machine. This is a significant distance, considering the pump is designed for a hose no longer than 3 meters. So, there are two options: either replace the pump more frequently or install the washing machine closer to the sewer line. The decision, as they say, is up to the owners.
How to test a washing machine's drain pump You can learn more about how to use an Indesit washing machine, and then replace it if necessary, from the article of the same name. We'll just say that this is done in much the same way as with any other brand of washing machine, and you won't encounter any confusing nuances.
Motor, tachometer, brushes
To check the motor, tachometer, and brushes of an Indesit washing machine, you'll have to access the bottom of the machine. However, if you've already checked the pump, the machine is lying horizontally and some parts have been removed, including the drain pump and hose. We'll need to remove the wire harness from the washing machine's motor, unscrew the screws holding the motor in place, and remove the motor itself.
To easily remove the motor from its mounts, first push it back slightly, then tug it down slightly, and then pull it toward you. Do this gently to avoid damaging the mount.
After removing the motor, locate the small sensor, which looks like a ring. Remove it and check the resistance with a multimeter. If the sensor is OK, remove the brushes and visually inspect them for damage. Replace the brushes if necessary, and finally, check the motor winding resistance. If necessary, you can replace the brushes or the tachometer; if there are problems with the winding, it's better to replace the entire motor.
Control board
The control module can also cause problems with the drain and spin cycle in an Indesit washing machine. While it rarely breaks down and exhibits these symptoms, it can't be ruled out as a potential culprit. The main problem is that few people know how to properly access the electronic part of a washing machine without damaging anything. Indeed, for an amateur this is a serious difficulty, but for a professional it is a piece of cake.
Let's not risk the expensive washing machine control module and call a professional. Sure, they'll charge you for their work, but you'll save time. Incidentally, if you damage the control module, replacing it will cost you even more, so it might be better to pay a professional than to waste money later.
In conclusion, it should be noted that Indesit washing machines are far from the most reliable—quite the opposite. For this reason, owners of these machines often encounter various malfunctions. One such malfunction is the machine's failure to drain water or spin the laundry. Can you fix the problem yourself? Almost always. How? Check each of the washing machine parts listed in this article one by one, and you'll surely get to the root of the problem.
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Thanks, comrade! It was hard to immediately identify the problem based on the symptoms. It turned out to be the brush. The machine was acting strangely: It drained water with strange pauses. It also required reconnecting the power cord. There was no spin. Oddly, it was still washing at low speed. I followed your algorithm step by step, checked the motor, and there it was—the brush!
Thank you so much! The machine didn't drain or spin. I checked the filter; my wife's nylon sock was in it. I cleaned it out, and everything worked as normal!
Thank you so much! My handkerchief got clogged in the filter too. I was about to buy a new washing machine.
Thanks everyone. I struggled for two hours until I read about the sock. It's not a women's sock, but... now everything works!
Thanks a lot!!
Filter. Everything worked. Thank you!
Thanks, great! It works :)
Author, thank you so much for the information. Thanks to the manual, I was able to do everything without fear of breaking anything. Ultimately, I removed the nail from the pump that was blocking the impeller. Thanks again!
Thank you!
My washing machine's drain plug handle broke. I can't open the filter. What should I do?
Thank you! The algorithm worked. I found $0.05, the copper coin blocked the drain hose, and the outlet stopped. Because of this clot, the water in the centrifuge was standing.
What if there's no spin sound and, consequently, no spin, and the water doesn't drain, and there's standing water in the drum. It spins and spins. What could be wrong? It washes, but there's no draining. It's an Indesit.