We offer one way to replace the heating element (heating element) of an Ariston washing machine. Heater malfunction is expressed in an open circuit or leakage to the housing. In both cases, the faulty element must be replaced with a new one that is working.
To replace the heating element, you need to gain access to the rear wall of the machine. Unscrew the fastening screws of the small plug located in the base area. Remove the plug.
Through the resulting hole, gain access to the heating element located in the upper right corner. Using a mobile phone, record the position of the wires and the connection of the contacts. On the sides there are power contacts (zero and phase, usually red and blue). In the center is the housing contact (ground - yellow-green wire). Between the housing and power contacts there is a temperature sensor - a plastic connector with a latch. All wires must be carefully disconnected from the heating element.
Using a socket, loosen the nut located in the center of the heater. This nut, together with the bolt, is designed to tension the rubber seal to seal the connection. You don't need to unscrew the nut all the way, then push it inward along with the tension bolt. This will finally loosen the rubber seal and allow you to remove the heating element from the tank.
But in practice, this does not happen immediately, since the rubber of the seal, being constantly in a compressed state, takes on a convex shape inside the tank, which prevents the free exit of the heating element. To remove the heating element, use a slotted screwdriver and pry it in a circle.
Remove the heating element from the tank of the Ariston washing machine. The photo shows that the old heater has limescale deposits. The thicker the coating, the weaker the heat transfer, which ultimately leads to internal overheating and circuit breakage. When changing the heating element, remove the temperature sensor from the old one and install it on the new one. Such sensors (thermistors) are usually in good working order.
For a smooth installation, the gasket of the new heating element can be lubricated with liquid soap or detergent.
When installing a new heating element, you must ensure that its far edge engages with the fastening, which is located inside the tank. Insert the heater into the tank and press it until it is completely seated in the hole in the tank. Tighten the tension nut with medium force. Connect all contacts in the reverse order (refer to the photo taken before disassembly).
Before final assembly, it is necessary to check the heating element for leaks by filling the tank with water without turning on the wash. If the connection is not sealed, it is necessary to further tighten the tension nut. After checking, finally reassemble the Ariston washing machine in the reverse order.
The heating element is used to heat the liquid. If we talk about a washing machine, then the washing process occurs at a certain temperature, which you set on the appliance panel. It is the heating element that heats the water in the washing machine to the desired temperature.
Due to the fact that water can be hard and contain impurities, when heated, scale forms, which over time, if the heating element is not cleaned, leads to breakdown of the device. It may fail for other reasons. Therefore, if you notice that the water in the washing machine is not heating up, the heating element may be broken. You need to check this and, if necessary, buy another one. True, you need to know how to replace the heating element in a washing machine without the help of specialists. Where is it located and how can I check if it works or is broken? Let's find out.
Where is the heating element located?
To replace this element, you need to know where it is located. Naturally, there are many different washing machines, but, as a rule, the heating element is located at the bottom of the tank. But how to get to it depends on the model. For some machines it is located behind the front panel, for others it is behind the back cover. Sometimes on side-loading machines it may be located on the side.
To determine exactly where it is located on yours, first remove the back cover and look under the tank. It's easier to unscrew, so it will come first. If the heating element is located there, great, you can start removing it. When it is not there, you need to unscrew the front panel. We can say that the first stage was successful. All that remains is to take it out, check it, and, if necessary, replace it. Let's look at how to do this step by step. And to make your task easier, the article will describe two methods for disassembling machines. The first is when the heating element is located in front, the other when it is located in the back.
Here are some rules that must be followed, regardless of the brand of the device:
- If the machine is connected to the network, be sure to turn it off by unplugging the plug from the outlet.
- Completely drain all the water, use a drain filter to do this, or drain the water through a hose, lowering it below the level of the machine.
- Some water may remain, so have a bowl, rag or mop handy.
This completes the preparatory work. For further work you will need:
- Screwdriver.
- Open-end or socket wrench 8 or 10.
That’s all, as you can see, you don’t need any special specialized tools; due to the simplicity of the work, you can do everything yourself.
Ten in front
As we said earlier, often in all models the heating element is located behind the back cover. But if you have a device from Bosh, LG or Samsung, behind the back panel you will only find a drive belt that is attached to the motor. The heating element itself is located in front, under the drum. So, let's look at the work step by step.
That's all. Ten was successfully replaced. Since there are different brands, the fasteners may be in different places, but the procedure and principle are the same for everyone.
It happens that replacing the heating element does not solve the problem, so at the disassembly stages you need to check the heating element itself. You can check it using an ohmmeter. If the device shows infinite resistance, it has burned out. If not, you need to check if everything is in order with the wires and if there is any other damage.
Ten from behind
Indesit, Whirlpool and similar machines must be disassembled from the rear. This option is much simpler and faster.
- Unfold the machine.
- Disconnect power, drain and water.
- Using a screwdriver, unscrew the screws and remove the cover.
- At the bottom of the tank is our heating element. Disconnect all wires.
- Use a socket wrench to unscrew the nut, but not all the way, press the bolt inward and remove the heating element.
- The rubber seal may get in the way, preventing you from removing the element, so loosen it, gradually pulling it out.
- Clean the tank and insert the new heating element back. The sealing rubber can be lubricated with dishwashing detergent so that the device fits well.
- Connect all the wires and screw on the cover. Then connect the communications and check the machine.
Top-loading machines need to be unscrewed from the side. The process is exactly the same, only the location of the cap that needs to be unscrewed changes.
That's all. Now your washing machine is ready for the next wash. As you can see, the process of replacing the heating element is very quick and not at all difficult. You can safely take the necessary tools and get to work right now!
Video
See how the heating element changes in the Indesit washing machine:
In this article we will replace the heating element of a washing machine, commonly called a heating element. This repair is simple and can be done by most non-professionals using common tools, and the average time to complete this repair will not exceed 30 minutes.
Video of replacing the heater on a washing machine:
Replacing heating elements in a washing machine with your own
Before starting repairs, make sure that the washing machine is unplugged from the outlet. To access the internal components of the washing machine, you first need to remove the back panel. Take a regular or socket-head screwdriver to unscrew the bolts holding the back cover together. The heater is located at the bottom of the washing machine tank:
To access it, we need to disconnect the phase, neutral and ground connectors. There may be a thermistor in the middle of the heating element; to disconnect its harness, you need to press the latch and pull it out of the socket. If there is a shield on the heating element, then unscrew it too:
Now grab the protrusions of the heater contacts and pull it towards you, you may have to press the gasket with your finger and move the heating element back and forth to remove it:
Next, we buy a similar heating element for your machine and install it in place. To install it, insert the heater into the socket and press the gasket along the edges until it is installed in the hole. Carefully push the heater up to the tank body. To tighten the gasket, take the nut that was removed from your old water heater and screw it into place. If there was a thermistor, then we take it from the old heating element and also put it in place. Next, we assemble everything in reverse order.
If you notice problems with your automatic machine - it does not heat the water - the heater has probably broken down. Failure of the heating element can be caused by several factors, which we will consider in this article.
You will also learn how to replace the heating element in a washing machine with your own hands.
How can you understand that the cause of the breakdown is in the heater? You can assume a breakdown based on external signs:
- There is no water heating.
- Some SMA models stop working mid-wash.
- The laundry does not wash well and there is a musty smell.
- An error code is displayed on the SM display.
Before removing the heating element from the washing machine, check the following:
- Is there really no water heating? After all, depending on the selected mode, washing can take place in cold water. So, when you start the “Delicate Wash” program, the water temperature is only 30 degrees.
If you are sure that the temperature is set to high, then 15 minutes after the start of the program, place your palm on the hatch. If it is warm, the water is heated. - Is the washing machine connected correctly? It happens that if the hoses are connected incorrectly, the water, without having time to collect, is immediately drained. As a result, the heater simply does not have time to heat up.
For what reasons may it be necessary to replace the heating element coil in a washing machine:
- A short circuit has occurred. As a result of the short circuit, the contacts of the element burn out, so it loses contact with the control unit. You will need to replace the wiring or remove and install a new heating element.
- The reason is scale. This is enemy number one for all elements of the washing machine. Why is scale dangerous? Collecting in large quantities on the heater, it prevents the element from giving off heat, which leads to overheating and breakdown. The temperature sensor that measures the heating temperature of the water may also fail.
To verify the presence of scale, you need to know how to pull out and remove the heating element from the machine.
Where is the heater located
To understand where the heating element is located in your washing machine, you need to inspect it. Usually, if the back cover is quite large, then the heating element is located there.
Keep in mind that for brands such as Indesit, Ariston, Electrolux, Kandy, the heating element is located at the back. For washing machines from BOSH, Samsung and LG, the heater is located behind the front cover.
If you are unsure of the location of a part, remove the back panel first, as this is the easiest to unscrew. Now proceed to dismantling the heating element of the washing machine.
After disconnecting the washing machine from power and communications, you need to move it away from the wall. Then do this:
Before replacing the heater, you need to check it. This can be done without removing the element from its place. You will need the tester set up in Ohmmeter mode. Do this:
- Disconnect all wiring connectors from the heating element.
- Connect the tester probes to the heater contacts.
- Measure the resistance: values of 20-30 ohms are considered normal.
To remove the heater from the machine, loosen the nut on the center bolt and push it into the tank. Pry the edges with a screwdriver and pull out the element.
Now about how to insert and connect the heating element in the washing machine: take a new heater, insert it into the socket, tighten the nut and connect the wiring.
All that remains is to assemble the car and run it for testing.
Knowing how to replace and install a heating element in a washing machine, you can easily handle the repair yourself. Video will help you
A heating element for a washing machine is of key importance. It heats cold water during operation, providing conditions for high-quality washing and eliminating traces of dirt, stains and streaks of any complexity.
With prolonged use, the physical properties of this product will deteriorate and malfunctions may occur. In this case, there is no need to get rid of the machine. It is enough to simply replace the old element with a new one and continue using it as usual. But how to do this without any experience in repairing equipment?
We will help you deal with this issue - the article discusses the features of diagnosing a breakdown of the heating element, and provides recommendations for choosing the right model of a new heater. Step-by-step instructions on how to replace the TEN on your own are also provided.
The heating element is an electric heater responsible for heating cold water supplied from the central water supply system to the washing machine.
Structurally consists of a tubular part W-shaped or V-like shape, inside of which there is a conductor element with a high level of resistance, capable of withstanding heating to record high operating temperatures.
A multimeter will help you carry out a correct check of the heating element. Using this measuring device, you can “ring” (test) the heating element at home and determine whether it is working or not.
The heating coil is surrounded by a special dielectric insulator with a high thermal conductivity. It correctly absorbs the heat emanating from the heating element and transfers it to the steel outer shell.
The working spiral itself is soldered with its outgoing ends to the contacts, which receive power during operation. Nearby there is a thermal unit that measures the level of water heating in the washing tank.
When activated through the control unit of any of the processing modes, a command signal is sent to the heating element.
The element begins to warm up intensively and, releasing the generated heat, brings the temperature of the water in the washing drum to the required temperature specified by the user.
Operating power and resistance
The main distinguishing feature of heating elements is operating power. In different models it can reach up to 2.2 kW. The higher the base indicator, the faster the water in the washing machine drum heats up to the required temperature.
When replacing a heating element in a washing machine, it is advisable to buy a product with the same power as the base one installed by the factory. This is necessary to ensure that all structural elements continue to operate in the correct mode without experiencing additional stress.
Normal resistance the device ranges from 20 to 40 Ohms. However, the part practically does not feel any short-term voltage drops that occur in the network. This occurs due to the presence of inertia and the rather high resistance of the heating element.
Other important parameters
When choosing a heating element for a car, you need to pay maximum attention. This will help you acquire the necessary parameters and quickly revive the washing machine for further full and productive work.
There is no point in buying a used device.. There is no guarantee that it will serve well for a long time. It is better to settle on a new product and purchase it not at the market, but at a company store or service center.
First of all, you should pay close attention to the length of the heating element. It is measured from the edge of the metal flange to the very end point of the heating element.
In order for the purchase of a new heating element to be correct, you need to take the old one, which is out of order, with you to the store. This will allow you to accurately select the shape of the product and not make a mistake with the length. A device that is too short will not reach the fixing bracket at the bottom of the tank, and a device that is too long simply will not fit into the unit.
It is acceptable for the new part to be a little larger or a little smaller than the damaged original one. However, the difference in size should not exceed 1.5 millimeters.
The power indicator must also be taken into account. Usually it is indicated on the flange part of the heating element. The difference between a damaged part and a new one should not be higher than 150 W.
If this indicator is significantly exceeded, the operating load on the entire machine will increase; if it is significantly underestimated, the water will take too long to heat up and electricity consumption will increase.
The presence of a temperature sensor is another important parameter. Some models of heating elements are not equipped with this part, but only have a hole for it.
This is explained by the fact that very often when an old heating element burns out, the sensor remains in a normal, operational state and can continue to be fully used.
Heaters that only have a hole for the sensor are cheaper, so owners can save a little by using a new heating element with an existing temperature sensor.
Old washing units have heating elements with a blind flange surface. If this part burns out, you need to try to buy exactly the same one or contact a service center and consult with a specialist regarding the correct replacement
The shape of the new heater must exactly match the old one. If a bent heating element fails, it can be replaced with a similar one. These rules are also relevant for direct heating elements.
It is advisable to try to find a new “native” model. If problems arise with the search, it is permissible to buy a universal option that matches the parameters of existing household appliances.
The material from which the washing tank is made requires an absolute match. The parts installed under the plastic tank are equipped with a durable rubber gasket.
According to the basic width, it can be long or short, depending on the format of the heater itself.
On seals for heating elements under a metal tank, a special collar is provided in the flange area. It provides a clearer fastening of the part in the compartment.
The terminals and fasteners of the new product must be the same as those of the burnt-out one. If they are located slightly differently, there will be difficulties connecting to the wires and additional sealing of the installation site will be required.
Only then will the machine work correctly again and correctly perform user-programmed tasks.
If you install an element without a collar into a machine where a heater with a collar was installed, during washing it may simply fly out of the tank and damage the body and adjacent parts
The heating element material can be anything, as can the outer covering. There are no strict requirements for these parameters and any deviations from the basic indicators are acceptable, since they do not affect the operation of the washing machine in any way.
What do you need to know before repairing?
To ensure that repair work to replace the heating element is as simple as possible, and that unforeseen situations do not arise during the process, it is advisable to become more familiar with its location and the reasons for its failure.
Device location
In many washing machines of different brands and manufacturers, the heating element is located at the bottom. To carry out repairs or replace a part with a new one, you will have to remove the body cover of the machine.
The design of each individual washing machine determines where it is more convenient to get to the heating part - from the front or from the back. The home master decides this issue independently based on personal convenience and preferences.
The seating compartment for the heating element is the same for almost all modern washing machines. If the machine is quite old, 12 years or older, this place may differ in size and shape. Therefore, you need to determine its dimensions in advance and select a part that clearly corresponds to these indicators.
In some models, the heating element is located on the side and to check or troubleshoot problems, you need to dismantle the side wall.
Reasons for heating element failure
The main reasons why a part fails and becomes inoperable come down to two points.
The first is a manufacturing defect.. It occurs infrequently, however, it is impossible to insure against troubles of this kind.
Even when purchasing the latest generation luxury equipment, you can stumble upon a defective model. If the machine is under warranty, the issue can be resolved very simply - the manufacturer replaces the non-working heating element for free with a similar, but fully functional one.
Some models of heating elements can be repaired, but most will have to be replaced immediately with new ones, since the manufacturer has not provided for the possibility of restoring them
The second main reason is scale.. It is this that settles on the metal body, negatively affects the heating element and ultimately deprives it of its functionality.
The low thermal conductivity of scale prevents the device from transferring the generated heat to the water, and the device itself begins to overheat and experiences increased load. In the end, it simply burns out, unable to withstand such a volume of thermal energy.
At home, you can descale heating elements in different ways. However, if the warranty period has not yet expired, it is not advisable to disassemble the machine yourself. If a serious breakdown suddenly occurs, it will not be repaired under warranty due to the violation of the factory integrity of the case
In addition to these negative phenomena, scale creates conditions for the formation of corrosion on the surface of the module. Over time, this leads to a violation of the integrity of its metal shell.
A device that has lost its seal becomes vulnerable to external influences and the risk of a short circuit, fire and other fire hazards increases significantly.
The heating element can be damaged by using the wrong detergents, for example, hand washing powders, or constantly exceeding the volume of powder per procedure.
As a result of unreasonable user actions, a dense, impenetrable film of soap concentrate forms on the surface of the part. It creates a barrier to normal heat exchange, provokes overheating of the heating element and leads to its subsequent burnout.
To avoid this, you need to properly care for the machine when using it for washing machines.
Regular use of Calgon during the washing process protects the heater from scale formation and improves the overall performance of the washing machine.
If you don’t want to use expensive store-bought products to clean your washing machine, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with using improvised products.
How to diagnose a malfunction?
To recognize a malfunction, it is not necessary to disassemble the washing machine and test the heating element with a multimeter.
The following malfunctions that appear in operation will indicate problems:
- The washing water does not heat up to the programmed temperature;
- the machine draws water, but quickly stops washing or turns off completely after 5-6 minutes;
- almost immediately after activation of the unit in the house or apartment, electrical plugs are knocked out;
- feels an unpleasant, burnt smell in the room while working;
- the quality of washing noticeably deteriorates;
- When touched, the body produces an electric shock.
If at least one of the listed problems is identified, the heating element must be replaced or repaired as quickly as possible.
Self-replacement instructions
You can remove a broken heating element and replace it with a new one without involving a technician from a service organization. To do this, you will need a minimal set of tools, a new heating element and a couple of hours of free time.
The lack of experience in such work should not be intimidating; in this matter, accuracy and consistency in performing all stages are important.
Stage #1 - preparation for repairs
When planning to replace the heating element in a washing machine, you need to be well prepared and follow basic safety rules that are relevant for working with household appliances.
Among them are:
- Disconnect the unit from the power supply by removing the plug from the socket.
- Disconnect the machine from the water supply and remove the drain pipe. This point is relevant for models where the heating element is located in the rear.
- Use high-quality working tools with handles that have a protective rubber coating.
- Prepare a plastic container, such as a bucket or basin. It will be convenient there, remaining in the tank or in internal communications.
After all the above steps, you can proceed directly to disassembling the machine, and then to removing the damaged heating element.
Stage #2 - selection of necessary tools
To replace the heating element, you do not need any specific and expensive equipment. Everything you need can be found in the arsenal of every home craftsman, even those who do not have much experience in carrying out repair work of this kind.
The list of such items includes screwdrivers of various configurations. Instead, you can use a screwdriver with a basic set of bits, including hexagons and sprockets, necessary for unscrewing “tricky” screws.
To correctly connect the wires to the heating element, at the disassembly stage it is worth photographing the entire process on your phone. In the future, this will help to assemble the machine quickly and correctly
Additionally, a ten-size wrench or simple pliers will be useful. With these tools you will be able to correctly remove the fasteners from the heating element.
To ring the TEN and understand its condition, you will need a multimeter for dialing.
Before starting work, it is better to place these items nearby so that they are at hand and the master does not have to throw everything and waste time looking for the right tool.
Stage #3 - gaining access to the heating element
Replacing the heating element through the front panel is a labor-intensive and painstaking process. First you need to remove the top outer cover.
To do this, you will have to unscrew the screws located at the back of the washing machine, carefully pull the lid, first slightly towards you, and then up.
You need to act very delicately so as not to pull out or damage the plastic fasteners, without which it will be physically impossible to return the cover to its original place.
For models that do not have a locking button, the container must be lifted and pulled towards you. When the fastening screws become clearly visible, use a screwdriver and unscrew them, and then remove the container.
Having removed the powder tray from the washing machine, wash it well, removing possible sediment and traces of deposits, dry it very well and return it to its original place after completing the work on replacing the heater.
Then unscrew the screws holding the control panel, remove it and, without disconnecting the wires, place it on top of the washing machine.
Open the door of the loading hatch located at the front of the unit. Using a screwdriver, pry up the clamp-type spring holding the sealing collar and carefully remove it, slowly pulling it out in a circle. After this, simply remove the rubber from the body and set it aside.
Find the locking screws on the hatch and unscrew them with a screwdriver of a suitable configuration. Push the released lock inside.
Then unscrew the external screws securing the front panel from the bottom and top. Sometimes they are located under the decorative trim at the bottom or on the sides or near the drain filter.
Finally, carefully remove the panel and place it side by side. Having opened access to the heating element, calmly begin replacing.
Stage #4 - installation of a new heating element
Regardless of where the heating element is located, front or rear, it can be replaced in only one way.
First, from the contacts of an old, failed device, all wires are disconnected. Usually, they are set very tightly and to remove them you will need to help yourself with a screwdriver.
All actions must be performed slowly and carefully so as not to damage the fragile area of the terminal connection.
If there is a thermistor on a burnt-out heating element, you must first carefully unfasten the harness by pressing the latch with your hand, and then carefully remove it from the socket. Only after these steps can the heater itself be removed
At the next stage you will need remove the retainer– unscrew the screw holding the heater in place, and then slowly remove the heating element.
Before installation of a new heating element it is necessary to clean the locations from the operating products that have settled there and insert a new fully working element.
All that remains is to check the functionality of the equipment. To do this, you must first assemble the machine in the reverse order, perform it and test it. If the wash takes place in the standard mode, then everything was done correctly.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
How to properly replace heating elements in a washing machine through the back cover. Easy-to-understand video instructions:
How to quickly and efficiently remove scale formed on heating elements. A complete analysis of the process on video with tips and a description of all the nuances:
With proper care and strict compliance with all operating requirements, the heating element will work for a long time and smoothly, without causing any trouble to the owners.
If the heating element fails for some objective reason, it can be easily and quickly replaced. Responsibility and scrupulousness will help you calmly cope with the task yourself. For people who do not have such experience, it is easier to contact a service center and pay for the replacement service.
Would you like to supplement the above instructions on how to replace the heater in your washing machine yourself? Or would you like to leave useful recommendations on choosing a suitable heating element to replace a burnt one? Please write your comments and additions in the block below.
If you still have questions about replacing TEN, ask them to our experts in the comments under this publication.
