Miele Touchtronic W4840

[nmassman44]

Fault code F-50 is:3.29 F 50 Drive
Symptom
In the operating mode the display indicates: Technical fault.
No drive.
The program is stopped, the water intake valve is closed, and the drain pump is
switched on for 120 seconds.
Cause
Defective motor, which in turn causes the fault “defective frequency converter”.
Remedy
A Check the motor, refer to Drum drive defective, 060 3.1.
Cause
Defective frequency converter (FU).
Remedy
A Replace the frequency converter (FU).
Descriptive Technical Documentation
DTD no. 11-4800 070-29

 

[jerrod6]

Good to know but....

Frequency converter.   I am not very knowledgeable about electric.  I wonder what is being converted? From what to what?

 

[supremewhirlpol]

That machine probably has a Variable Frequency Drive motor and controller. The Controller is what "converts" the frequency. It is most likely proprietary as most of these units are for consumer machines. The Controller takes in an input voltage(120V, or 240V 60HZ), Rectifys the supply, steps up the voltage, uses IGBT's and processors to "chop" the supply into a varying high frequency. Adds two other supply lines, spaces the current 120* apart per supply line, Internal frequency can range from 6KHz to 8KHz. Went voltage, and current supplied to the motor are constant, the Frequency is what determines the speed. So, the output supply can range from 120V 60HZ Modified Sine wave to 240V 400HZ. Both the motor and the controller may have to be replaced if they are faulty. Be sure to check ALL connections. A shorted motor, or one of too high resistance on the windings can cause the controller to fail. Also the controller itself could have faulty electroincs. Since both the motor and the controller are proprietary to this brand it will cost you some BIG ones to replace them. That's why Decent VFD's use 3 phase as the input voltage, and not 120V or 240V 1 phase.

Good luck!!

 

[3beltwesty]

Drive Asynchronous motor with frequency converter

Miele use the above to mean they vary the frequency to vary the speed. This has been done in servos for over 50 years. Most modern FL washers did this. A 1988 to 1993 Westinghouse Front loader does this too.

 

[vacfanatic]

Motor Drive Details

I have the smaller W3033 that was available at the same time this model was available - they both use similar motor control technologies. Here are a few snips from the W3033's Service Manual that may help. When my machine is washing, if you put your ear up to the left side of the control panel, you can hear a real high pitch electronic whine, probably from the motor control processors etc. I hope mine lasts 20 years, or it'll put a huge dent in my bank account. This washer cost me $2,000, and now has just over 900 operating hours on the clock.

Andrew

 

[vacfanatic]

 

[laundromat]

Thanks kids!! I have yet to hear from Miele. Their website claims they respond in 24 hours or less. It has now been 72 hours since I emailed them.

 

[laundromat]

Miracles really do happen!!

I just received an email from Miele regarding my washer. They are sending the parts free to me and have given me the name of their local authorized service company (Mr Fix It).They also offered me a reasonable service contract offer which I am going to accept.It will be covered (parts,labor and mileage)for the next two years.They're saying the power electronics are the issue and are sending the part(s)needed to replace.

 

[Pingmeep]

Wow. That is great news.
My faith in Miele USA is almost restored.

 

[laundromat]

They're here!!!

I just received a call from the service tech. The parts arrived earlier today and they'll be here tomorrow to do the repairs.kyle,the tech who'll be doing the service remembered me from a wake I went to for his cousin,Hon,who passed away on my lap last June at a rally we went to for cancer.He had a stroke and was gone by the next morning.Kyle was grateful I had my cell phone and called 911 while trying to keep everyone there calm as the ambo crew were trying to revive Hon.They were able to get his heart beating again but he never regained consciousness.He said to me " I'll get your toy back to running again. I know how excited you are to have found this!" I told him he'll have to show me why and how it went down.He said " Do I have any choice in the matter? I don't think so. As much as I heard about your passion for appliances, I'd be surprised if you didn't want to."

 

[mrb627]

Pictures

How about some pictures of the repair so we can all see?

 

Malcolm

 

[laundromat]

It's running full force and is a great machine!! I have used the quick 30 minute cycle (1 wash 2 rinses and a spin) getting great results using only cold water. The hot water hose needs replacement and the tech (who,by the way,is a hunk!!)ordered me the pair saying it's always better to replace them both. Miele washing machine hoses are threaded differently which means you can't just replace theirs with a generic type.I went to Hilo earlier today to buy a pair of work shoes and found a Rainbow for $20!!! I also found a newer Kenmore convertible dishwasher with the Whirlpool wash system. Top of the line from the late 90's.$10.

 

[laundromat]

Thanks everybody! especially you,Andrew, for all the input. I again,today,washed some laundry dropped off by Spooner. He's a local plummer.His so called girlfriend was constantly overloading his Kirkland/Whirlpool top loader and slamming the lid. I overrode the lid switch getting it to work again but her constant overloading burned the motor out.He wants to replace it with a front loader and I told him he needs to replace his other "front loader" so the new one doesn't break down too.The laundry was all clean and smelled great (yall know I'm a true green Gain fan!!!) and took no more than 18 minutes to dry thoroughly.

 

[nmassman44]

If you have the Miele dryer it will take no time at all to dry a load. That dryer is very fast. But only if a load has been spun out at Max speed and the dryer does its job well. If you use a top load washer and have a load spun at 640 it will take forever to dry. I know I tried doing that. This washer uses a 1000 watt heater and it doesnt take long to heat the water to where it should be. My 4800 does very well in that area. You will find that this machine is awesome.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Do you still have this Miele Chuck?