Aquarius Washing machine

[frizzytwig]

I have just bought a second hand washing machine off my friends mum. It seemed to be working. ie filling up with water, but the drum is stuck fast. It just will not spin. Do these machines have any safety features that lock it whilst its being moved. Her Mum did nothing to the machine prior to selling it to me.

[Mortartube]

Check that the transport bolts aren't in the back. Many machines have bolts in the back which holds the entire drum assembly steady, so that it doesn't bounce about in transport. These must be removed before use otherwise serious damage can occur. Usually you will see silver bolt heads on the back of the machine if they are in place.

[malaise]

I had a problem where the machine would fill up but would not drain or spin. I found that there was a blockage in the pump.

If you take the back off the machine, you'll see a rubbery container at the bottom. If the machine's full of water, so will this be! But if you squish it about, you should be able to feel if there's anything stuck in the pump.

If there is, you can easily detach the rubber part (and have a bucket nearby to catch the water) and then you can take out whatever's stuck. In my case it was a bra underwire, a kirby grip, and a 10p piece! ;)

[frizzytwig]

The bolts are not in there, and the machine fills up and drains perfectly ok. It's just the drum will not move.

Many thanks for your answers, I fear I will need to ring a man who can.

[Mortartube]

Firstly, can you open the door of the machine and turn the drum by hand? If so does it move freely or is there a grinding sound? If it moves freely move on to the next section. If it grinds you may have a worn or seized drum bearing.

Can you hear the motor running when the machine is switched on (they can be quite quiet on some models so you will really have to listen)? If so the drive belt may have come off it's pulleys or snapped or stretched. If you can't hear the motor running it could be any number of things. To check the drivebelt. UNPLUG THE MACHINE. tilt the back of the machine up and peer up inside with a torch. Alternatively, there is often an inspection panel that screws on the back. Undo the screws and look inside. If the drive belt is faulty, order one from your nearest machine service place. It is usually simply a matter of putting the belt on the big pulley on the back of the drum and then over the motor spindle WITH THE MACHINE UNPLUGGED.

Good luck

[frizzytwig]

The drum cannot be moved but hand, it is stuck fast, it does rock in a backwards and forwards motion a bit and there is not a squeak, grind or any other sound. I've tried to look and see if anything is jammed stopping it moving but I can't get the lid of the machine as I need a smaller alan key

[Mortartube]

I would suggest that you speak to your friends mum and ask if there is some type of transport lock or locking bolts that she put on, before you collected it. It very much sounds to me as though there is some kind of transport locking system in operation. A siezed bearing is unusual as they often make a terrible noise for a long time prior to getting that bad. The only other suggestion that I can think of, is a siezed motor. When you can get to the pulley system in the back. Take off the drivebelt and see if you can then spin the drum by hand. If you can, then try to move the motor spindle by hand. DO NOT FORGET TO UNPLUG THE MACHINE FIRST.

[Mortartube]

If you go here, you should be able to download and instruction manual for it, assuming that you don't have one. This should at least eliminate the transport lock question. You will need the full model number which is usually on the back of the machine.

http://www.theservicecentre.co.uk/macro/instruct.d2w/display?brand=H&prod=WM

[frizzytwig]

Many thanks Mortartube, will have a go with the manual. Pals mum didn't put any lock in place, the machine has been sitting in her garage for about the last 3 months so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

[Mortartube]

Best of luck. Hopefully it will turn out to be something very simple and cheap.

[peanut]

every machine ive seen has a safety switch that will not allow the machine to spin if the lid is open. if there is a problem with that switch it will not spin even with the lid closed. I would assume that it worked before you got it, so check the wires to that switch are still connected. maybe they came loose during transport. the switch is right at the top of the machine. the lid should have a little pin on it that pushes the switch. try lifting the lid and letting it back down quickly several times and see if maybe its just dirty. or try sticking a small screwdriver into the switch and see what happens. its even possible that the pin on the lid that is supposed to push the switch has broken off.