Repair of Brandt washing machines

Brandt washing machines have been well-known in Europe since the 1950s. Over the decades, the company has consistently won the hearts of consumers worldwide, and Russia is no exception. Like any appliance, these washing machines, although infrequently, do break down, and what to do in such a situation can be unclear. Repairing Brandt washing machines is associated with certain problems and has many specific features, which we will discuss in this article.

The most common faults

Washing machines from the French company Brandt have been sold in Russia for almost 20 years, and during this time, service centers have accumulated a fairly comprehensive breakdown data. These machines appear to be very reliable, but the fact is... In the CIS countries, only budget models are in demand, but their parts are of poorer quality and their assembly leaves much to be desired, and therefore they break down more often. All Brandt washing machine models have approximately the same list of typical breakdowns.

1. Drain pump. The main problem with Brandt top-loading washing machines is the pump. They break down on average every 3-5 years.
2. Clogs. The most common problem with any washing machine is a clog, which either prevents the machine from washing at all or results in problems with washing.
3. Temperature sensor. This is a weak point on any Brandt washing machine, from the most expensive to the budget model. The temperature sensor can fail as early as three years into use.
4. Heating element. The heating element is the problematic component of any washing machine, and there are no exceptions. A heating element can break down after a year, after five years, or it can work flawlessly for 15 years. Everything depends not so much on the quality of the element as on the operating conditions.

Please note! The remaining parts of Brandt washing machines are quite reliable and rarely break down, so we won't discuss them here.

To learn more about common faults, you can read Brandt washing machine reviewsConsumers express a wide range of opinions, but some conclusions can be drawn.

How feasible is it to repair such machines?

It's not uncommon for people to encounter repair issues with their Brandt washing machine only after 7-10 years of flawless operation. This is where the first problems arise. It may turn out that there are no spare parts available for your older Brandt model. Washing machine parts dealers only stock what consumers demand. The following Brandt parts are generally readily available:

• pumps;
• pulleys;
• drive belts;
• shock absorbers;
• activators;
• pipes;
• lids;
• drum flaps;
• rubber gaskets, rings;
• top covers;
• heating elements.

Control modules and display modules are considered relatively affordable, although they are impossible to find in Russia for some Brand machine models., you need to order it from abroad. There could be serious problems purchasing the engine. You'll have to wait about a month for the original part, and it will be very expensive (given the current euro exchange rate).

Please note! Brandt washing machine spare parts are also manufactured in China, but their quality leaves much to be desired. Furthermore, their selection is limited, which creates a problem.

All the advice from experts in this field boils down to one idea: before you begin repairing your Brandt washing machine, thoroughly research the issue and estimate the final cost of the repair. It may well turn out that the price of your used Brandt washing machine is lower than the cost of spare parts for it., and you also need to add in the time and effort required, and that's only if you do the repairs yourself. If you hire a professional to do the repairs for you, that's an additional cost.

Blockages of various natures

Clogged drains are the bane of automatic washing machines. However, if you properly maintain your washing machine, you shouldn't encounter any problems. Top-loading washing machines are designed slightly differently; their drain filter is located inside. The Brandt WM-1150 washing machine, for example, has a drain filter located in the tub. But don't worry about this; accessing the filter is easy and doesn't require any technical expertise.

1. We unscrew one flap of the drum cover with our own hands and remove it, we leave the second one alone, we won’t need it.
2. We unfold the drum and open the doors.
3. We find the filter at the bottom of the tank and clean it.
4. We screw the sash back into place and return the drum to its original position.

Important! The drain filter and hoses must be cleaned at least every few months. Failure to do so may result in water not draining properly, resulting in significantly reduced wash performance, if washing is even possible.

If your Brandt washing machine's drain filter has been thoroughly cleaned, but water still won't drain, you need to clean the hoses. To access them, remove the back panel, then use a screwdriver to loosen the clamps, drain the water, and remove the hoses. The pipes are quite wide, but debris still accumulates in them, so you can’t neglect cleaning them.

Quite often, Brandt washing machines have clogged inlet valve filters. In automatic washing machines from brands like LG, Indesit, and Samsung, these filters are positioned differently and are designed for different water quality and higher levels of impurities. Brandt machine manufacturers apparently believe that Russia has perfectly clean, soft water, which is clearly not the case. As a result, these filters clog much more frequently than those of competitors and need to be cleaned or removed completely. How do you clean such a filter?

• First, let's turn off the water.
• Let's disconnect the inlet hose.
• Carefully pull out the filter using round-nose pliers.
• We wash and clean the filter and put it back in place.

Please note! Experts do not recommend removing the water filter completely, as this will allow a lot of dirt to enter the machine along with the water.

Problems with the temperature sensor and heating element

Checking and, if necessary, replacing the heating element and temperature sensor on Brandt top-loading washing machines is even easier than on any other machine. If the machine stops heating the water or the water is overheating, you need to check both the heating element and the temperature sensor. Since these two components are located next to each other, they should both be checked simultaneously.

1. Let's unscrew the back panel of a Brandt top-loading washing machine. By the way, to disassemble the washing machine, you'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver and a 10mm socket screwdriver.
2. Once we remove the back wall of the machine, underneath we will see a pulley, a drive belt, a tank wall, an engine, and a pump on the side. Directly above the engine there will be a plug hiding the heating element and temperature sensor, remove this plug.
3. We remove the wires from the contacts of the heating element and the temperature sensor.
4. We check the resistance of the temperature sensor with a multimeter; if it is working properly, we check the heating element.
5. We take the heating element out of the tank along with the rubber gasket, replace it with a new one and reassemble the machine in reverse order, remembering to put all the wires back in place.

Remember! If you weren't able to immediately purchase an original heating element that fits your specific Brandt washing machine model, don't install a similar one. It's better to order and wait for the original, otherwise you could damage the control board.

The drain pump has broken down.

The drain pump for any Brandt washing machine model is readily available, so you can confidently replace it yourself. However, there's a caveat. You need to make sure the drain pump actually needs replacing. Follow these steps.

• Clean the pipes as described above, you can also clean the drain hose at the same time.
• Access the pump through the rear wall of the machine as described above.
• Disconnect the wires from the pump, remembering to mark them so that you can reconnect them later.
• Measure the resistance with a multimeter.
• Remove the bolts holding the drain pump.
• Carefully pull out the drain pump with your hands.
• Turn the impeller with your fingers; if the pump is faulty, it will rotate reluctantly.
• Buy the original pump and install it in place of the old one. Perform all the steps in reverse order and connect the wires correctly.

Important! After removing the pump, inspect the bushing; debris often accumulates there, which can cause the pump to malfunction. If debris is indeed the cause, you don't need to replace the pump; it's likely working properly, especially if the multimeter showed no abnormalities before.

In conclusion, repairing Brandt washing machines yourself isn't all that difficult, especially if you have genuine spare parts. Replacing these components often takes little time and effort, as long as you follow the expert's recommendations.

   

1 reader comment

1. February 26, 2018 at 1:23 PM

   Sergey:

   In a top-loading machine, the heating element is located behind the left side wall, not the rear wall! Please fix this.

   Answer