LG washing machine repair: recommendations for troubleshooting

LG washing machine device

The design of the unit consists of several main components:

1. Frame. Protects the mechanisms and serves as the installation frame.
2. Display and control panel, program block. Designed to select a mode and monitor execution.
3. Tank with drum for laundry.
4. Electric motor. Rotates the drum with laundry.
5. Electric heater (TEH). Heats water to the specified temperature.
6. Water intake and drainage system. Supply and drain hoses, valves, pipes, filters, pumps ensure water circulation during washing.
7. Balancing system. Vibration accelerates wear of parts. To reduce vibrations, counterweights, shock absorbers and springs are used.

Types of faults

Let's look at the main defects of LG washing machines that can cause them to not work correctly.

Rattling and knocking

The appearance of such sounds indicates the following malfunctions:

1. Foreign objects (coins, keys, buttons, etc.) between the drum and the tank.
2. Damage or wear of the drum bearings.
3. Destruction of the counterweight or imbalance.
4. Shock absorbers defect.

Water leak

It manifests itself in the formation of smudges on the back wall of the drum, under the loading hatch, under the bottom. Leakage is caused by:

1. Damage to the inlet or drain hoses.
2. Distortion of the drain filter.
3. Leaking valves or hoses in the powder receptacle.
4. Worn drain pipe.
5. Deformation of the central bearing seal.
6. Damage to the tank.
7. Pump failure.

Water does not drain

The automatic machine works in accordance with the program, but at a certain stage it stops and the water does not drain. Possible reasons:

1. The pump pipe or drain hose is clogged.
2. A small object has fallen into the pump.
3. Pump failure.
4. Level sensor problem.
5. Incorrect operation of the electronic module

No water heating

Problems in which the water does not heat up:

1. Incorrect operation of the pressure switch - there is no signal about a sufficient water level, the command not to turn on the heater is not issued.
2. Damage to the electrical circuit of the heating element.
3. Broken heating element.
4. Temperature sensor problem.
5. Control module malfunction.

The drum does not spin

The drum stops:

1. Problems in the control module.
2. Engine failure.
3. Hall sensor malfunction.
4. Drive belt rupture.
5. Destruction of tank bearings.

Sunroof won't open

The reasons why the door does not open after the end of the program are:

1. Malfunction of the drainage system - water in the tank, the door is blocked.
2. Water level sensor failure.
3. Damage to the door handle.
4. Malfunction of the UBL (hatch locking device).
5. Control module defective.

Blockages

The water drains slowly or does not drain at all. Causes:

1. The drain filter or drain hose is clogged.
2. The pipe is blocked by foreign objects or lime deposits.
3. Damage to the pump impeller.

Mechanical wear

The moving parts of the device are subject to severe mechanical wear. The following nodes are critical in this regard:

1. Bearings. Signs: extraneous sounds during operation (hum, creaking, grinding, whistling, etc.).
2. Drive belt. Signs of stretching: slight rotation of the drum, weak belt tension on the pulley.
3. Pump impeller. Signs of depletion: extraneous sounds when draining water, slow pumping.
4. Balancing and damping mechanisms. Signs of wear: significant increase in vibration, extraneous sounds, loose drum.

Electronics failures

The electronics in LG washing equipment are convenient and reliable. However, failures in management do occur. The reasons are voltage fluctuations in the network, pressing buttons while executing a program, etc. Signs:

1. The machine does not start washing, the hatch does not lock, the drum does not spin, error code is LE, EE, E3.
2. Stop washing, sound and light alarm, error code AE.

To fix this, just unplug the machine for a few minutes and restart the washing program.

Breakdown of the pressure switch

Measures the water level in the tank to automatically fill or drain water. Signs of malfunction:

1. Washing in an empty tank.
2. Endless repetition of the rinse cycle.
3. The machine spins the laundry, but the water does not drain.

Problems with the module

In LG machines, the module is placed in a plastic box and filled with a compound to protect it from water. When a module fails, it is determined by the following signs:

1. Maximum rotation of the drum at the beginning of the wash, an endless cycle of filling and draining water.
2. The module freezes, the indicators do not light up, and the error codes change chaotically on the display.
3. The wash doesn't stop.
4. Incorrect operation of the heater.

Operating principle of direct drive

The rotation of the washing machine drum is ensured by the motor, but for this it must somehow transfer energy to the tank. There are currently two types of drives:

• belt - engine energy is transmitted through a belt placed on a tank pulley. The motor is located at the bottom of the machine;
• direct - the motor is placed directly on the tank.

LG was a pioneer in this area. After one hundred years of belt drive use, the first machine with an inverter motor was released in 2001. It is also called Direct Drive (DD).

The motor in this design is induction. 36 coils are attached to the stator, to which voltage is alternately applied, and there is a permanent magnet on the rotor. Rotation is ensured by the attraction of the magnet to the coil to which the current flows (an electromagnetic field appears around it). As soon as the magnet approaches the target, voltage is applied to another coil, and this happens continuously. The rotor rotates a drum connected to it, which rotates around a metal axis on bearings. The washing process is in progress.

Electronics controls the flow of current to the desired coil. All components interact at tremendous speed. To control the speed, the design includes a Hall sensor, sometimes called a tachometer or tachogenerator. When repairing LG washing machines in Kazan, our service technicians often encounter problems with inverter motors.

DIY repair

Knowing the typical breakdowns and having the skills of plumbing and electrical installation work, you can carry out quite complex repairs of LG washing machines with your own hands.

Before starting work, the device must be de-energized and disconnected from the water supply.

Replacing bearings

Repair using the example of a 6 kg model of laundry from the WD series with direct drive:

1. Remove the top and rear covers, indicator panel, sealing collar, front panel.
2. Disconnect pipes, wires, shock absorbers, counterweights.
3. Disconnect the Hall sensor, remove the motor rotor and stator.
4. Remove the tank and drum.
5. Unscrew the screws from the mounting sockets at the joint of the tank and separate the halves.
6. Remove the drum.
7. Remove the oil seal and knock out the bearings.
8. Install new ones, lubricate, install oil seal.
9. Place the drum.
10. Apply sealant to the joint, connect the halves, and tighten with self-tapping screws.
11. Reassemble the machine in reverse order.

Replacing the heating element

The heater changes when it burns out, which is determined with an ohmmeter. To replace you need:

1. Remove the back cover.
2. Remove the wires from the heater and temperature sensor
3. Unscrew the fastening nut.
4. Remove the heating element by carefully prying it with a screwdriver and pulling it towards you.
5. Insert the new heater into the socket. The part should fit along the guides with little effort.
6. Tighten the fastening nut, connect the wires

Pump replacement

Procedure for replacing the drain pump:

1. Remove the top cover, door seal, indicator, front and bottom decorative panels, counterweight and power control unit.
2. Unscrew the drain filter.
3. Loosen the clamps, disconnect the drain hose and pipe from the pump.
4. Unscrew the pump mounting bolts.
5. Remove the pump.
6. Install and secure the new pump.
7. Reassemble the car in reverse order.

Electronic module repair

The difficulty of repair is that the board is installed in a non-separable plastic box filled with silicone compound. To troubleshoot the problem you will need:

1. Remove the module.
2. On the reverse side, mark the projection of the faulty part on the plastic bottom.
3. Use a soldering iron to burn a rectangle around the projection.
4. Remove a section of plastic, opening access to the board.
5. Using a screwdriver, carefully remove the layer of compound at the soldering site of the faulty part.
6. Unsolder the part, replace it with a working one, solder it.
7. Put the removed section of plastic back in place and glue it.

Replacing the pump

Repair work includes (using the example of the WD-80150HUP model with a load of 5 kg of laundry):

1. Place the machine on its side, allowing access to the pump from below.
2. Disconnect the pipe, drain hose, wires, unscrew the bolts, and remove the pump.
3. Install a new one (the same or with the same characteristics).
4. Fasten, put on the pipe, hose, connect to the electrical circuit.

Direct Drive Repair

Problems with direct drive are manifested by a loud hum, jerky rotation of the drum, and vibration. Repair work:

1. Open the rear hatch.
2. Unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the rotor and stator.
3. On the stator, use a sharp tool to carefully remove the compound from the Hall sensor board.
4. Find 4 resistors 681 on the board (labeled R01S, R02S, R03S, R04S in the diagram).
5. Unsolder, solder in working ones.
6. Fill the board with silicone sealant. Let dry.
7. Install the stator and rotor, turn on the Hall sensor and power wires.

Hall sensor repair

A malfunction of the Hall sensor leads to uneven rotation of the drum, vibration, and hum. Repair:

1. Carefully remove the silicone fill on the sensor board.
2. Ring resistors R01S, R02S, R03S, R04S.
3. If faulty ones are found, replace them with the same ones or select similar ones.
4. Check the resistance between the sensor terminals: between 5 and 1, 5 and 2 there should be 10 kOhm.
5. Fill the board with silicone and let dry.

Handle repair

The door handle is a plastic part that breaks easily. It can be repaired in this way:

1. Apply superglue to the crack, forcefully connect the broken parts of the part, wait a few seconds.
2. Apply superglue to an area 1-2 cm on both sides of the crack and sprinkle evenly with baking soda.
3. Do the same on the back side of the part.
4. Reinstall the handle.

The gluing area is reinforced with soda and acquires the necessary rigidity.

Drum rib repair

Plastic ribs in the drum make it easier to turn the laundry. Over time, they become loose and play appears. Defect fix:

1. Heat the rib with a heat gun, remove it from the clamp, and remove it from the drum.
2. At a distance of 1 cm from the bottom cut of the rib and 5 cm from each edge, make two holes, 0.5 - 1 cm long on each side.
3. Slide two plastic clamps, teeth up, through the holes on one side of the rib.
4. Pass the free ends of the clamps through the drum at the rib attachment points and pass through the holes on the other side of the rib.
5. Warm it up with a hairdryer, fix the rib in the mount, tighten the clamp. Trim the ends.
6. Do the same with other ribs.

Engine repair

A direct drive motor does not rotate in the opposite direction. Repair:

1. Remove the stator.
2. Remove the silicone from the Hall sensor board and ring the resistors.
3. Unsolder the damaged one, and instead solder a working resistor with a resistance of 331 Ohms.
4. Ring the terminals: on pairs 1 and 5, 2 and 5, the resistance should be 10 kOhm.
5. Fill the board with silicone.
6. Assemble the engine.

Replacing the cuff

A worn or damaged cuff is replaced in the following order:

1. Remove the powder receptacle and top cover.
2. Separate the indicator panel.
3. Use a screwdriver to pry up the clamp securing the cuff and remove it.
4. Remove the front panel.
5. Unscrew the counterweights.
6. Remove the cuff from the drum.
7. Install a new one, paying attention to the alignment of the holes for the sensors.
8. Assemble the car.

Reviews

Anastasia, 37 years old, Krasnoyarsk

Since we have a large family, I chose an economical machine with a load of 5 kg to 7 kg. On the advice of a sales consultant, I bought the ELGI model FH0B8ND1 with direct drive for 6 kg of laundry. I've been using it for over a year now, no complaints yet. I wash mainly at night in order to save electricity, so quiet operation and the delay start function were important selection criteria. It makes a little noise when filling and draining water, but does not interfere with sleep. This machine also has smart controls; before each wash, it weighs the laundry and calculates the required amount of water, which is very convenient. I am satisfied with the quality of washing, things are always clean, I recommend.

Daria, 29 years old, Blagoveshchensk (Amur region)

We spent a long time choosing a washing machine until we saw the LG E1096SD3 with direct drive. I was attracted by the fact that the model is compact and can load up to 4 kg of laundry. A large selection of programs and a functional display make operation easy. The machine is noisy, but through the closed door in the bathroom you can hardly hear it in the room. There is a slight knocking sound when spinning, possibly due to uneven floors. In two years of use, the program crashed once and the spin cycle did not start. There were no more breakdowns, it works properly, it justified its price.

Sergey, 43 years old, Lipetsk

I purchased an LG F1022NDR machine equipped with the Direct Drive system. I was attracted by the intuitive interface; all modes are written in Russian. The model is quiet and practical. We are completely satisfied with a drum load of up to 6 kg in an LG direct drive washing machine. The wife noted the good quality of washing and the spin speed of 1000 rpm, which can be an alternative to drying. The machine has a timer, but it does not always correctly indicate the time until the end of the process. I don’t know what this is connected with, but it does not affect functionality. I haven’t noticed any other drawbacks, we’ve only been using it for a few months.

In conclusion, we can say that LG's innovations, unfortunately, did not revolutionize the washing industry. Manufacturers still have work to do to provide users with household appliances that are reliable in all respects.

Features of LG washing machine repair

The LG washing machine range includes devices with direct drive and belt drive. The repair of both types is similar, since the designs are largely the same. However, there are differences that need to be taken into account when starting troubleshooting.

Direct drive

1. Installing the motor on the drum axis leads to heavy loads on the bearings and reduces their service life. Therefore, repairs to the bearing assembly of an LG direct drive washing machine are done more often than in belt driven machines.
2. When the central oil seal leaks, water enters the motor stator and damages it. A complete replacement is required. On the positive side, it is easier to get to the engine than in units with a transmission belt.
3. The devices are sensitive to voltage surges, which damage the Hall sensor. Radio installation skills are required for repairs.

Belt driven

1. The use of a belt and pulley reduces the mechanical load on the bearing assembly - replacement is required less frequently.
2. Belt-driven units generate significant vibration, so repairs to balancing and shock-absorbing systems are carried out more often than for direct-drive machines.
3. Regular replacement of the motor commutator brushes is required.
4. Regular checking of belt tension, inspection and timely replacement are necessary.

About general reliability indicators

LG provides a good warranty on its products. We will not dwell on controversial issues, such as limited conditions, when free repairs are carried out only within a short period of time, and the breakdown is eliminated subject to payment for spare parts. The LG washing machine, however, has a number of traditional weak and strong features. The advantages include:

1. A reliable engine that will last much longer than all other components.
2. Protecting electronics from moisture by filling with a compound.
3. Durable and wear-resistant drive belts that hardly stretch.
4. General resistance of electronic components to voltage surges, interference, lack of grounding.

Lg washing machine motor

According to the average assessment of repair specialists, the LG washing machine is less likely than other brands to be found in applications during the warranty period. However, its weak points can cause very serious damage. These include:

1. Dangerous leaks. A failed oil seal, for example, can cause short circuits that can burn out the motor or electronics.
2. Bearings with precisely adjusted service life. There are no malfunctions during the warranty period, but the longer the machine is operated, the higher the likelihood of failure of the drive system.
3. The weak part of the control modules is the central processor chip, leaks and other electrical faults often cause complete system failure.
4. Technological holes do not allow long-term operation of the machine when various malfunctions occur.

Lg washing machine bearings

Another common problem noted by both service engineers and private repairmen is the extreme sensitivity of heating elements to bad water. They fail more often than units from other manufacturers.