How to check the temperature sensor on an Indesit washing machine?

The most serious problems in an Indesit washing machine often arise from the smallest parts. A prime example is the temperature sensor, which is just a few centimeters across. While such a sensor rarely breaks, if it does, it can cascade down to the heating element or, at a minimum, lead to problems with heating the water. Let's look at where to find this part, how to remove it, and how to test the temperature sensor. Let's get to the bottom of this.

Where to look for a thermistor?

In the Indesit washing machine, this important component is located in the heating element. It's cylindrical in shape, 10 cm in diameter. Remove the back panel of the housing. The heating element is located at the bottom. It has two contacts, and our sensor is located between them. To be more precise, the sensor is located in a specially designated connector of the heating element.

The sensor is equipped with electronics and transmits water temperature information to the machine's control unit. Temperature control is performed by a processor, which automatically shuts off the heating element.

As mentioned earlier, sensor failure is rare, but possible. To confirm the malfunction, a test is necessary.

Extraction and inspection of the part

To confirm that the thermostat is faulty and rule out other possible faults, remove it from its housing. First, disconnect the power to the washing machine. Next, follow the step-by-step instructions. Your task is to remove the thermistor, which is located inside the heating element. To do this:

• remove the back wall of the washing machine;
• carefully disconnect the wires from the sensor;
• With a little effort we remove the thermistor from the heater housing.

The first step is complete! Now you need to use a multimeter to diagnose the problem, specifically, measure the resistance.

Switch the device to resistance measurement mode. Next, touch the sensor contacts with the probes. The device's resistance will read approximately 2000 ohms if the ambient temperature was 25°C.⁰C. Next, we begin checking the part for proper operation. We immerse the sensor in hot water and take another resistance measurement. If at a temperature of 50⁰If the resistance drops to 1300 Ohms, then the sensor is working properly and the fault is of a different nature.

If the sensor is faulty, it must be replaced, as such parts cannot be repaired. Reassembly of the machine follows the same procedure, only in reverse order.

Symptoms of thermistor problems

The proper operation of an Indesit machine directly depends on the proper functioning of the temperature sensor. A malfunction can also be detected by external signs:

• regardless of the selected washing mode, the water in the tank is heated to the maximum temperature;
• the body of the machine heats up until hot steam comes out.

In such circumstances, it's essential to replace the temperature sensor in your Indesit washing machine as quickly as possible to prevent the heating element from failing. Replacing the sensor is much cheaper than replacing the heating element, so it's crucial to address the issue quickly.

   

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