LG WM2101HW: Power issues...no power (again)

[labboy]

Hi Everyone:

Previously I had posted about my LG front loader (WM2101HW). When running the sanitary cycle, it would periodically shut off. After a few minutes, you could press the power button and it would come on with the Power Failure (pF) code. You could press start and it would pick up where it left off.

That went away for a while but came back again today. I turned it on again, getting the pF code and was able to restart it. Then after a few minutes, it went off again. I tried again to restart it and, on pressing the power button, I heard a pop from inside. (No smoke or odor, just a pop.) It did not come back on.

I shut off the power at the breaker and let it sit for a bit. After restoring power to the unit, still nothing. I pulled the front panel and top cover off. I checked for any burned wires or components on the front control panel, main PCB and the electrical noise filter. Control panel and PCB looked fine but I noticed the fuse and area around the fuse on the noise filter were very dark brown (remainder of the board looked clear/normal).

I checked for power coming into the machine...it was fine. I also checked for power after the noise filter...same thing, no issues.

The discoloration on the noise filter makes me suspect it is the issue. But, wouldn't there be no or decreased power post-noise filter if it was the culprit?

If it is not the noise filter, I am likely going to get a new machine as this one is ten years old and the main PCB and control panel PCB are NLA. (I can still get the noise filter and it is relatively inexpensive.) It's unfortunate, as I really have liked this machine.

Please let me know if you have any ideas.

Thanks for your help.

Happy New Year!

Bob

 

[repairguy]

Every now and then I run across a worn out electrical receptacle that doesn’t always make good contact. While this may not be the issue it is real easy to eliminate by plugging in to another receptacle even if you have to use an extension cord for a short period of time.

 

[perc-o-prince]

wouldn't there be no or decreased power

AFAIK, this is absolutely correct. If you've traced power to the machine and through the interference suppressor, it shouldn't be that component. I don't know if one could be intermittently failing, but I wouldn't think so.

 

The pop noise and discoloration certainly point to that component though, don't they? Hm-m-m-m.....!

 

Congrats on checking the power in/out step-by-step though! I spoke with some techs I worked with who would check the receptacle then go right to the on/off switch. Duh!!!

 

Chuck

 

[henene4]

Such intermittent faults can be caused by aging components like the caps in a power filter.

Those are pretty cheap IIRC and can be easily replaced.