Miele USA W1's Water Inlet Error After Prewash

[sgt10]

Yes, one would suspect that it must be the latter problem as the first Miele W1’s in the US certainly did not have this particular issue. So some change they made to the W1 subsequently gummed up the works. One question would be whether Miele views this specific problem as a serious one needing speedy resolution or just a minor nuisance. But perhaps your point is that either way, the timing of a solution may not be totally under their control.

 

[washingpowder]

Hot water intake

I'm fairly certain it has something to do with the North American designation of using hot water for main wash fill. I've noticed Normal cycle going through with prewash perfectly fine, at least when selecting 120F or below. Miele seems to alternate hot and warm fill when using temps of 140 and up and considering most European machines are cold fill only, that slight programming change may have produced the bug.
I'll reprogram my 860 for a cold fill only tomorrow, and see if it goes through a cycle without a problem.

 

[washingpowder]

The tech just left.

Amazing customer service, amazing knowledge. That aside, he said that Miele is aware of the issue and they're currently working on a fix in Germany. He said he doesn't know how long it'll take, but hopefully soon. He explained they already tried doing an intermittent fix in NJ, and none of the solutions worked, hence the escalation to Germany.

 

[henene4]

Hoping they'll work that out...

Almost certain my issue would be fixed by the same update.

Once I'm back at my flat (end of next month maybe) I'll document the fault and contact Miele service again and see if I can get some timeline for the EU side of things...

 

[mielerod69]

@washingpowder, did the cold only fill make the cycle go right through, or did it still fault?

 

[washingpowder]

@mielerod

Decided to wash at 170F, sans prewash, and my thrifty side refused to heat that from cold. Especially considering two AC units running at turbo already.

I'll be running microfiber cloths soon using the singlewash option (less water to heat), will report right after.

 

[launderess]

Will be interesting watching this all play out..

Will MieleUSA charge for these call outs and repairs?

If new motherboard is required or something will that part be free along with install?

Will MieleUSA reach out to any number of Americans who bought affected models and yet haven't contacted them about this issue? Will they issue a recall or similar notice?

What about scores of washers sitting in warehouses or dealers inventory yet unsold?

A simple firmware update that solves issue would be less costly way of dealing with things, provided it permanently fixes issue.

At least affected washers still are otherwise usable. Cannot imagine what people would do if after paying so much money now would be totally without a washer for indefinite period.

 

[washingpowder]

@launderess

Excellent questions I've been pondering myself.
Truth be told, there's a part of me regretting shelling out the big dollars, especially considering the circumstances.
Sure, a pre-wash isn't the most important thing nor does it discount how well the machine performs, but just the fact that Miele let such a mistake go unnoticed makes me wonder about the quality control of machines adapted for the US market.
Maybe F&P would have been a better choice, with their 5 year warranty.

 

[derrick352]

Other countries get longer initial warranties, and the USA a measly 1yr. This whole mess ruined our USA W1's. How they are dealing with this as of now and apparently no resolution, it screams a part/parts issue vs software/firmware. If they would just clarify which it is. They have to know by now exactly what is wrong.

 

[launderess]

Under EU laws minimum consumer warranty is two (2) years. Some individual countries have longer requirements...

United States consumers have no such legal protections and thus are at the mercy of whatever manufactures offer.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/faq/index_en.htm

This being said consumer testing or advocacy groups have found that in most instances major malfunctions with any appliance are likely to occur within first twelve months or less of use. This is one reason why many advise paying for extended warranty at time of purchase.

Also many credit or charge cards will extend original manufactures warranty period if their card was used to pay for entire purchase price.

If things reach a critical mass level then lawsuits will start flying, and or federal government will step in I suppose. Lord knows Maytag was driven into the ground over issues with their Neptune washing machines.

 

[jamiel]

This sounds like a sensor value is put out of "whack" with the US hot fill, and the solution can't be to ignore that sensor value (as they may well use it for a different part of the washing cycle, perhaps to specify spin speed to not crease synthetics) . The fix-scheduling of something like that, together with testing etc is undoubtedly what's taking the time.

 

[jerrod_six]

Just for my clarification: What temperature are you using for the main wash, when this problem occurs?

 

[brisnat81]

Our Au W1s are hot and cold fill, so it’s not a US specific scenario. My older generation machine has no issues with prewash, one has been updated to its latest firmware and has no issues. I’m surprised your all using prewash that much, I generally only use it a 3-5 times a year.

If you have the text display, what about changing the country code to Au or EU and see whether you have the same issue? Obviously only do so if you are confident with manipulating these settings. Or do the US machines now come locked to the US as a country? The machines we get here, let you choose USA as a region.

 

[launderess]

Pre-wash

My older Miele W1070 states in owners manual that if using liquid detergents pre-wash could be skipped and just go with normal cycle. That machine was made decades ago and believe it was then standard advice which has only grown since.

Unless doing washing grossly contaminated with muck or filth, today's modern detergents and other laundry products cope remarkably well with just a wash cycle alone.

Then you have many European and other washers have "stain" programming which didn't exist previously. Electing that option on a cold fill washer (which most sold in EU are these days), slows down heating to give cool to warm water more time to shift marks before any possible high heat would set them in.

Commercial and laundromat washers normally have a short pre-wash (it varies in length and sometimes can be programmed), mostly to flush away loose soils and muck before the (often comparatively short) main wash cycle or cycles begin.

Quite honestly wash cycles on both my Lavamat washers are long enough on "normal", cannot deal with extra time added for pre-wash.

IIRC Miele over years toyed with not offering pre-wash or even soaking cycles, then bringing them back.

 

[derrick352]

I use prewash for heavily soiled laundry. Mostly whites and a hot 140 degree wash. I do not believe we can change the region on USA W1's. Not in the service or programming menu at all.

How do you convert to a cold fill only on USA W1's? I know you have to change the setting for it. Do you keep the hot water line connected? Y adapter? Time increase for heating? I do not use automatic load sensing because the cycle times sometimes shorten too much for normal soil. The washer does not know how dirty the load is just the weight. I also use water plus third option, our water plus is not selective option just increases water level by 3 increments in wash and rinse. Other countries it is selective option also. I also use allergen option for a 3rd rinse or 4th with extra rinse.

 

[washingpowder]

It worked!

Setting the machine to cold water fill only eliminated the error. Just ran a Sanitize + pre-wash without a hiccup.
Now we know for a fact that the error comes from something related to the switching of EU cold fill only

 

[launderess]

Congrats and good news.

Now head over to Houzz thread and spread the information. Maybe even ring up MieleUSA on Tuesday and share your findings as a good deed. Should be worth a free container of Miele laundry product of choice I would think.

 

[washingpowder]

Already spoke with my technician

He said he'll forward the info. Hope he gets some points.

@Derrick, in the settings menu under Additional Programs there's an intake modifier. One can choose either "hot for main wash" or "cold fill only". According to the manual there's no need for y-connectors, the machine won't utilize the hot water valve at all.

I use pre-wash somewhat often. E.g. stopped using paper towels in lieu of about 30 microfiber cloths. Considering they get quite soiled, I prefer to give them a bit of cool enzyme treatment before percarbonating in 170F. Same about bedding, which is heavily starched.

 

[launderess]

Cold fill washing machines are popular and indeed mostly all one can find nowadays in Europe. This ticks off those who have access to hot water at the ready (especially if it's cheaply heated say by solar), and run to washer isn't long. But never the less view of manufactures, many consumer groups, and others is that it's best to let washer heat water to proper temp.

Both my AEG Lavamat washers are cold fill only. In fact looking at Miele W1 washers offered in Europe most seem to be cold fill only, but didn't search entire range for each country. Installation instructions clearly state washer cannot be hooked up to hot water connection.

https://www.manualshelf.com/manual/miele/wea-025-wcs-active/user-manual-english/page-65.html

 

[derrick352]

Made no difference for me last night. Error still happens with cold fill.