Error E02 in Electrolux washing machine

This error code indicates a serious malfunction in the washing machine. The E02 error almost always signals an upcoming, expensive repair of the washing machine. The only exception is a short-term system failure, displayed only once, which can be resolved by restarting the washing machine. If turning the machine off and on again after 15 minutes doesn't resolve the issue, and the display still displays the error, a detailed diagnostic of the Electrolux machine is necessary.

Testing the engine

What does this code designation indicate? Error E02 signals a malfunction of the washing machine electric motor or control board. Most Electroluxes are equipped with a commutator motor, which can be tested by yourself.

What should you do before testing the motor? First, you need to understand the motor's wiring diagram. Most brushed motors have a fairly simple wiring diagram.

From the schematic diagram it is clear that the electric motor power supply starts through the 220V point, passes through the control triac, the reverse relay connectors, the stator winding and the rotor.

Electrolux washing machines use a relay and control unit contacts to switch the stator winding. The components described are located in the washing machine's control module.

The stator winding is divided into two sections. This design feature reduces the impact of interference that periodically occurs due to sparks on the commutator.

The drum of any washing machine alternately rotates in opposite directions. This movement is caused by the reversal of the stator winding's polarity. Some models have a separate tap for the winding, which is activated during the spin cycle. In this case, the electric current is connected to either of the outer terminals and this tap. During the main wash cycle, the stator winding is activated via the outer terminals, ensuring a slow, smooth rotation of the drum.

To test the motor and find a solution to the problem, it is necessary to connect the rotor and stator windings one at a time and connect them to the power grid. This connection diagram is visually represented as follows:

This diagnostic method has several drawbacks. Firstly, by choosing this testing method, you won't be able to 100% verify the motor's functionality. The normal rotation of the shaft won't guarantee that your Electrolux machine won't malfunction at various stages of the wash cycle.

Furthermore, connecting components in this circuit does not provide protection. Therefore, if the motor shorts out during testing, it will most likely fail. To protect the electric motor from possible damage, it is better to include an additional link in the circuit. This additional element can beHeating element of a washing machine or simply a high-power lamp (over 500 W). The circuit will look like this:

A ballast connected to the connection will protect the motor being tested. If a short circuit occurs, current will flow to the heating element, which will begin to heat up.

There's another method for diagnosing the motor in an Electrolux washing machine. The stator and rotor windings are connected similarly to the second diagram, but they are powered by a special laboratory transformer with a power rating of over 500W. The advantage of this method is the ability to continuously monitor the RPM and promptly take action in the event of any malfunction. For greater safety, a fuse with a rating of 5-10 amps can be used.

Instead of an autotransformer, an electronic regulator, typically used to control loads of a given power, can be used for diagnostics. In this case, it's best to seek professional help, but if you have some knowledge of electronics, you can perform the diagnostics and repairs yourself.

Another way to check the motor is to observe how strong and bright the sparking is between the brushes and the commutator motor. If there is significant sparking, the washing machine's motor is likely faulty.

The above methods are used to check the electric motor of an automatic washing machine displaying the E02 error. If, after diagnosing the motor, a solution to the problem is not found, another important component of the system should be checked.

Let's check the control board elements

The E02 error may be caused by a faulty control board. To repair the washing machine, you need to inspect the board. First, remove the control board from the washing machine. To do this, follow these steps:

• de-energize the device;
• remove the detergent drawer;
• Unscrew the 2 bolts located near the dispenser hole;
• unscrew 4 more screws located on top of the machine (under the CM cover);
• pull the control panel up and remove it;
• Use a slotted screwdriver to pry up the panel latches and disassemble the housing;
• remove the board from the disassembled case.

When handling the control panel, be careful not to damage or confuse the power supply wiring diagram.

If there are no visible defects on the board, there may be hidden faults. You should check the triacs one by one for breakdown using a multimeter. The tester must be switched to dialing mode. The device screen will show the voltage value recorded between the elements.

To diagnose the problem, place the multimeter probes across terminals A1 and A2. If the part is working properly, the tester display will show "1" or "0L." If a breakdown is detected, the display will show a value close to zero.

You can check whether the board's triac is conducting by briefly short-circuiting its control electrode with the tester probe. This will apply current to the triac. Once the voltage stops flowing to the control electrode, the triac will likely close. This indicates that a minimum current must flow through it to maintain conductivity. The faulty element will need to be replaced with a new one.

If, after reviewing the upcoming work, you realize you can't fix the problem yourself, or if your washing machine still displays the error code after all the steps, contact a service center for assistance from a qualified technician. Resetting the E02 error requires complex and expensive repairs.

   

Readers' comments