LG front load washer making weird growling noise when drum rotates.

[spinspeed]

Hi Guys,

I have an LG front load washer (WD14071sd6) about 8 years old now but was running perfectly. I had not used the machine for 6 months (I treated my self to a new LG). I used it yesterday and when drum rotates makes a weird growling noise, I then get an LE error message which means motor lock due to load being too heavy. The drum was empty.

Turning the drum by hand there is no noise or resistance that I can a feel. Seems to only happen when the motor is turning the drum. See clip (sorry there are a few pauses where nothing happens)

I really don’t want to dump the machine. I would love to fix it. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what the issue may be?
Thanks Simon

 

[egress]

that seems to me like it might be an issue with the rotor position sensor (hall sensor), the motor driver board, or the motors windings or the wiring related to that. the way its jittering and making the growling noise seems to me as though the control board is not properly tracking the position of the motors rotor and is pulsing the 3 phases improperly.

 

[egress]

To add to my original post, I'd try the hall sensor first. its a pretty common failure (?) as far as i can tell, and its a lot cheaper than replacing the entire motor or control board.

 

[henene4]

That has to be one of the first "Centum" machines ever.
Certainly worth keeping.

That first "wiggle" is correct. That's the control aligning the rotor and stator to be abled to control motor start up.

Given you can turn the machine by hand and the sound isn't there, that basically certainly has to be a motor issue.

A noise like that could be a lot of things though.

I'd take off the rotor first and check all the magnets on it are still firmly attached.
Do the same for the stator.
That high frequency knocking could be a loose part of the magnetic system of the motor being jossled around by the forces.
"Coil whine", just quite low frequency because of the drive frequency.

While there you can investigate the hall sensor aswell and check all connections.

Beyond that, if that doesn't reveal anything, finding the culprit is a lot of guessing.

These motors are - for what they are worth - extremely simple.
They are a few coils of wire - the stator - and a few magnets - the rotor.
Plus the hall sensor - which solid state. And the control board.

I don't know if you bought the machine yourself or second hand and if you are still in the country you purchased it in.

You might want to check if you have the original receipt and the LG 10 year Direct Drive warranty terms.

Cause - at least here in Germany - that warranty covers parts and labour (I think) for the rotor, stator and hall sensor.
Given the prices for the parts - if you can insure yourself it is those parts - trying to invoke that warranty might be worth it.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

motor groaning during operation

My mom's lg did that quiet groaning noise during operation. It sounds normal to me. I use the normal cycle but it will happen on all cycles.

 

[egress]

after doing a little more research, i am reasonably to fully confident this is a hall sensor issue. the LE error code, followed by the grinding jittery motor noise, makes me believe that the hall sensor is the issue. and no, this is by no means normal.

 

[henene4]

I completely skipped that

Yeah, the LE error makes the hall sensor a quite likely candidate.
Completely skipped over that part in the original post, sorry for that.

Could still be a control issue, but unlikely - the hall sensor was (for what ever bizarre reason) quite an issue for some time on these.

The hall sensors are completely solid state, and devices of that type in other applications have been extremely reliable in other applications.

As said, check the extended direct drive warranty and see if you can fully comply with its requirements - at least here that covers the hall sensor.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

groaning noise

When I say groaning noise, I am not talking about the hall sensor going out with a metallic noise. I'm talking about a barely audible groaning sound during wash/rinse.

 

[spinspeed]

Thanks guys for all your replies. I had totally forgotten about the 10 year warranty on the motor (thanks henen4). Had technician over yesterday and he confirmed what I knew the motor was bad and needs to be replaced. $150au for him to tell me that. Now need to wait for the new motor free of charge from LG. I am going to replace it myself. Looks pretty easy from YouTube videos. Don’t want to pay another $150+ for another call-out to replace it. LG do state that I am responsible for labour costs. Hope getting the mew motor won’t be a drama.

 

[spinspeed]

Finally got the LF FL washer fixed -

Hi everyone,

My 7 year old LG FL washer broke down beginning of March and needed a new motor. I had to get the appliance repair guy to confirm the motor was bad. That cost $150au. Trying to get LG to honor their 10 year motor warranty has been a complete nightmare. I am sure they make the process so difficult they think people will give up and buy a new washer. Once they eventually agreed to send new motor over a month ago, the appliance shop who ordered have still not received it. Apparently it is on back order!!!

In the end I took advice from here (which I wish I did months ago) and replaced the hall sensor. Really easy fix and cost all up $40au. It working perfectly now. Thank you so much for the advice.

LG have plummeted in my estimation. The 10 year motor warranty is a bit of a nonsense. Had I not had several other washing machines in my collection I would have been without a working machine for nearly three months.
Simon Far North NSW Australia

 

[combo52]

Yay glad you got it working, the whole sensor, of course is not part of the motor and not covered by the 10 year parts warranty on the motor.

The motor itself is not very likely to fail, and if it does feel from leaking water from bad bearings. It’s also not covered

Trying to get parts and service for LG and Samsung and a few other brands. Even in the US is a nightmare I would only buy an LG washer if your content to throw it away when it fails.

John.

 

[spinspeed]

Thanks John,

I am really surprised the appliance repair guy didn’t know the fix was as simple as replacing the Hall sensor. I was very unimpressed with the service they provided.

 

[egress]

good to hear the motor sensor was the issue!

 

[spinspeed]

Hi Egress thank you for your advice all those months ago. I wish I had of followed it but better late than never. It was such an easy fix and cheap as well. I still have a new motor coming at some point under the 10 year warranty. I should probably let LG I have fixed the problem.