Fixed "F/H" error on Maytag Epic (Duet clone) for free

[dnastrau]

Greetings everyone:

I just wanted to share my remedy (so far)for this annoying problem. In my case, no parts needed to be replaced.

We started getting an intermittent flashing F.. H... error on the display of our Maytag Epic. This would happen during the rinse cycle and the machine would not continue. We would have to clear the error by pressing Pause twice and select "Spin/drain" to finish out the cycle.

Apparently this error code is for a low water pressure/volume issue. I checked our whole house water filter first and changed that filter even though it didn't look too bad. That didn't solve it but certainly could cause this (we have well water.) I then unplugged the machine and removed the two water inlet hoses from the back. I carefully pried the wire filter screens out of the ends of the inlet valve where the hoses screw on and found the problem: the screen for the cold side was mostly clogged with rusty residue. The hot side had some but wasn't as bad. I cleaned both screens, reinstalled everything and have not had the error return for several days now.

Hopefully that was all it was - fingers crossed... If you have a Duet or one of the clones (Maytag/Kenmore/KitchenAid) this procedure might save you a service call to solve this problem.

Best regards,

Andrew S.

 

[favorit]

Manuals

I bet the manual doesn't warn about screen maintenance every six months. Here BSH and Whirlpool are the "worst manual award" winners

The manual, according to euro law, is indeed a part of the machine/device it describes. Nothing can be omitted. Then a bad manual is considered as a machine fault.

It has even to be written in a fool-proof way. It seems that Miele is excessive when it warns not to wash the machine with a garden hose....... common sense should be enough, but ...

once a friend of mine (furniture assembler) has been called by a lady who had weak cabinet doors in her kitchen. After some investigations he made out she kept washing monthly her kitchen cabinets with a hose ... (what about RCDs ?? )

Anyway even the Epic board behaviour is crazy. Why not adding some time to each rinse to allow a correct fill, then warn the user about low pressure issues when the cycle is completed ??

 

[yogitunes]

thats a great DIY fx...many machines like my neptune mah4000 would sense water level in the tub only during the first rinse to determine excess suds...you would think it would sense thru out the entire cycle...if too much suds it supposed to rinse again until cleared out, but mine would shut down, took tech 3 trips out till he fould the problem...also the dryer would not start if too much power was taken by other appliances(not on same circuit)!...but really was an electronic board error...tech wanted to blame electric in the house...had to pay additional for an electrician to confirm electric was ok...a simple meter they carry would have told him there was enough amperage, they just don't want to blame the machine while under warranty...

Things we have to do ourselves...trained tech can't figure out!

 

[dnastrau]

Clogged inlet screens are mentioned in the manual

You can bet that I'll be pulling those screens out at least once a year to clean them as a maintenance item.

I have read posts of other people on the 'net who had intermittent instances of the F/H error and replaced the main control board, flow meter and/or pressure switch. Maybe it was just partially clogged inlet screens...

The Maytag Epic tech sheet (used by service people) and the owner's manual does say to check for kinked hoses and clogged inlet screens as a troubleshooting point. The owner's manual says the following:

“FH” (Water Inlet Problem—no water or insufficient water
supply)
Select PAUSE/OFF twice to cancel the cycle. Unplug washer
or disconnect power.
Check the following:
Are water faucets completely turned on?
Are screens at inlet hose connection to washer clogged?
Are water inlet hoses kinked?
Are water inlet hoses frozen?
Plug in washer or reconnect power. Re-select cycle and press
HOLD TO START. If the problem remains, call for service.

At least if the owner reads this and a bit handy with pliers they can potentially fix the problem and avoid a service call.

The screens are not mentioned as a maintenance item, but should be IMHO. The hoses are recommended to be replaced every five years but the screens aren't mentioned at all.

Andrew S.