Bosch washing machine malfunctions and their troubleshooting

Bosch washing machines are assembled in so many countries. While the models may seem identical, they perform differently. Both technicians and users have noted the poor build quality of Russian-made Bosch washing machines, the average quality of Polish-made machines, and the high quality of German-made machines. When preparing this article, we wanted to address Bosch washing machine malfunctions in general. However, we now see the need to focus on typical issues with Russian- and Polish-made Bosch machines. We will focus on these issues in particular.

Common problems

To begin, let's highlight the most common causes of failure in Bosch washing machines assembled in Poland and Russia. They have surprisingly much in common; at least, they share the same weak points. Generally speaking, any number of issues can break in Russian-made machines. It's unlikely we could cover every possible issue in a single article, so we've selected the most likely ones based on information shared by our technicians.

1. The system responsible for heating the water is not working properly or not working at all. The water remains cold.
2. Frequent spontaneous activation of the self-diagnostic system. The equipment freezes for no apparent reason and displays Bosch washing machine error codes.
3. Problems with the hatch locking device. The door either won't close or won't open.
4. The washing machine does not drain water..

These breakdowns are a real scourge of Bosch washing machines of Polish and Russian assembly, and the reasons are the most banal. These washing machines are equipped with low-quality door locks and heating elements, and problems with the firmware of the control module often arise. Because Polish and Russian companies don't devote enough time to testing them. Let's take a closer look at these failures and hope you never have to deal with them.

Doesn't heat water

In 90% of cases, if a Bosch washing machine stops heating water, you should start testing the heating element. Russian and Polish models use cheap Chinese heating elements, the quality of which is substandard. The average lifespan of such a heating element is two years. They're not even worth comparing with German heating elements, as their components last an average of 10-12 years.

Older Bosch washing machines manufactured in the early 2000s often have the original heating elements. After 15-17 years of use, these heating elements are still almost as good as new.

Frequent, typical heating element failures are primarily related to harsh operating conditions. If you have a Russian-made Bosch washing machine, frequently wash at high temperatures, and have hard water, consider your heating element at risk.

To check the heating element, you'll need a multimeter. Remove the front panel of the washing machine. The heating element is located directly under the loading door. Disconnect the wires from it, then check the element for continuity. Unscrew the nuts and remove the heating element from its niche. Unscrew the temperature sensor and set it aside. Discard the faulty heating element and install a new one in its place. Replace the front panel of the machine and test the washing machine. This completes the DIY repair.

It often gives errors.

One of the most common problems with Bosch washing machines manufactured in Poland or Russia is a serious firmware failure in the control module. This problem can manifest itself in various ways, so even technicians can't always correctly identify it. Most often, a firmware failure results in the constant display of various error codes. You start a wash cycle, the machine runs normally for a while, and then suddenly freezes and displays a specific error code. This behavior is repeated from start to finish, and the codes are always different.

Naturally, after the error code appears, the machine won't spin the drum or even drain the water; it freezes completely. When attempting to reset the program, the machine won't start. The only solution is to turn the machine off and on again, but this is only a temporary solution; a short time later, the error message returns.

Unfortunately, repairing the control module yourself is extremely difficult. Resetting the firmware or reloading it requires the expertise of a highly qualified specialist. If you encounter this problem, call a technician immediately.

The door doesn't work

If your hatch door stops closing and opening properly, you need to check the hatch door locking mechanism and the door locking system. While the door locking system rarely breaks, the hatch door locking system often does. In this case, there is only one way to fix the problem: completely replace the door lock. We described how to carry out this simple repair in the article. The washing machine door (hatch, door) does not close, we will not repeat ourselves.

If the door locking system is working properly, you should carefully inspect the locking mechanism. It's possible that a spring has simply popped out or the lever is broken. The parts for repairing it yourself are easily purchased online or at your local washing machine parts store.

So, we've discussed the main problems with Bosch front-loading washing machines assembled in Russia and Poland. We haven't touched on typical problems with top-loading machines, but we promise to cover those as well very soon. Good luck!

   

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