Home Repair Manuals Hotpoint WMA32 Dismantle & Repair
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2.4
Fill Valves
Double Cold Solenoid Valve Single Hot Solenoid Valve
Attributed faults
•
No Water
•
Drum Fills When Power Off
The Fill valves, or (solenoid valves) allow water into the machine via a diaphragm
which is held closed by the external water pressure on top of it, but when the solenoid
is energized it breaks the seal of the diaphragm and allows water to pass, then the
water pressure passing under the diaphragm keeps it open, until the power is turned
off from the solenoid and an internal spring closes the diaphragm.
The main reason for these valves to become faulty is the coil going open circuit,
or the insulation breaking down. In both cases the valve has to be replaced, unless
you can lever the coil off (the coloured section with the metal band around it).
Then it is just a case of replacing that.
Be very careful if you attempt this kind of repair, because you could damage or
break the centre shaft of the valve.
The other fault is internal leaking. That is where water seeps through the valve
and fills the drum over night. This is almost always caused through a small
particle of grit getting under the diaphragm and not allowing it to reseat properly.
The quick solution is replacing the valve.
The long version is remove the valve, remove the coil, unscrew the centre shaft of
the valve (be careful of springs and plungers). Lift diaphragm and clean it, then
reassemble.
Test by turning the water on and look through the dispenser opening without the
draw in, if water still trickles through, it didn’t work, buy a new valve the old
diaphragm is damaged.
