Miele Washer Woes

[launderess]

Ok, here is me trying to get a little housework done today, and chucked a load into the Miele. The old girl powered on fine, but then after a bit there was a loud "pouf" from where the cord enters the molded plug, and machine came to a dead stop.

As per good electrical saftey measures, turned off the machine, unpluged it and went over to the fuse box, and sure enough the fuse was blown. Replaced fuse and merely pluged the Miele back into the outlet, and *pouf* again, right from the same area. Left a nice black mark on my white Donwy bottle of fabric softener as well.

Ok, upluged the machine and changed the blown fuse (again) (I'm an idiot, aren't I?), and once again *pouf*. Three blown fuses later, and tried of playing a stooge in a running Bugs Bunny skit, rang up Miele repair.

Took ages to get the technican to understand enough information to look up my account, then to explain and for him to understand that the cord was almost brand new (purchased from and installed by Miele in 2006), and IMHO the thing must be damaged somehow, which shouldn't happen. The silly man kept telling me there was a problem with our circut breakers, and that something in the wiring is causing the problem. Know this is not true as one ran the coffee maker this morning, and used the ironer last night all from the same outlet with no problems.

Miele has scheduled a service call for next week sometime (no exact date has been set, dispatch must contact us to arrange things), but my question is this? The cord Miele installed always had some play in the area between where the cord enters the molded plug, indeed one could see the wires easily. Is it simply a case of the plug and or the wiring near it being damaged? If so should'nt the some what easy repair of changing the plug solve this problem. Or, should one wait an allow Miele to come and possibly change the entire cord set.

Machine works fine otherwise, well at least it was until things began shorting out.

Thank goodness for the Hoover twin tub. Looks like it will be getting a work out this weekend. It's either that or the dreaded laundromat.

L.

 

[frigilux]

I'm no electrician, but I don't think you should be able to see exposed wires where the cord meets the plug. I take it since you used the same outlet for a coffee maker that your Miele doesn't require 210/220 voltage.

Sorry to hear of your plight. I reached a point a few years ago where everything I owned seemed to go on the fritz, one at a time. Hope you're not entering a similar phase, Launderess!

Let us know what Miele does/says about the problem and its repair.

 

[whirlcool]

Laundress, I am so sorry to hear of your situation.
Usually at the machine end of a power cord on a washer is a o-ring or gasket to prevent the cord from rubbing against the hole in the washer where the power cord enters, or there may be a clamp to hold the exterior of the power cord on the maching. It sounds like it was not installed properly. One of the wires may have "rubbed" through the installation thereby grounding it out.
That "poof!" is quite nerve rattling, isn't it? I am surprised that the wall around the outlet wasn't blackened!

 

[launderess]

Just finished draining the washer and cleaning things up (had to take the load to the laundromat to finsh,was several large blankets and really wasn't up to running the Hoover), and while putting the cord away took a closer look. Yes, the cord is coming apart where it enters the molded plug. One can easily see the wiring and the insulation has pulled away.

Now one has two options:

Go down to local hardware shops and purchase another plug to swap out the one currently on the Miele. Or, wait for Miele to come out and change the entire cord.

My worry is that Miele will not only charge for the visit but the cord as well. Considering Miele charges nearly $200 USD for just walking through the door, then the cost of parts, just swapping out the plug could save quite a bit.

Should be clear, it is the plug end of the cord, the one that goes into the wall which is causing all the problems, not the part which enters the machine itself.

It never rains but poors.

L.

 

[maytagbear]

I am

sorry to hear this, Laundress.

It is a vexing situation, indeed.

However, I am all for letting Miele provide the plug and or the flex.

Here's hoping that your lovely machine is fully restored promptly and well.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[nmaineman36]

Launderess if you think you can change out the plug /cord your self then I would do it. I new cord is going to maybe set you back 75 bucks from Miele plus yeah they are going to nail you with the showing up cost of 175 just to say yeah you have a bad cord. Taint cheap. I would just head to Homo Depot and see if they have a cord there for 20 bucks and go that route.

 

[sudsmaster]

Also sorry to hear of the electrical problems. I know how disconcerting it is to be without a washer, even if you have a backup system.

IF you can find a plug that fits the wall outlet, and you're up to cutting/stripping/fastening the wires to the new plug, I'd say, go with that. That's what I would do, too.

The wiring should be fairly self-explanatory. Not sure if you have a three wire or four wire outlet. But generally the longest prong is the neutral (or ground). The two hot wires can be swapped, makes no difference. If it's a four wire you'll need to make sure you're connecting hot to hot and neutral to neutral. Might have to disassemble the old plug to make sure. If it's a molded affair, a sharp knife (like a box cutter) might do the trick. Be careful!

 

[launderess]

Thanks Guys

While down at the shops today, stopped into local "True-Value" old time hardware store for a new plug and some other required items (new cord for the Sunbeam CoffeeMaster amoung other thigns), and will tackle the job later today or tomorrow.

From what one can see, the wires inside the cord are braided, and from the gap between the cord and plug (where much wire is visable), there are bits of broken copper wire. You would think that Miele would have some sort of stress relief on this plug wouldn't you? But no,nothing, nada, zip.

My theory is perhaps the cord somehow twisted wires loose and that is causing the short. Will soon find out, attaching a new plug isn't that difficult, and if the machine keeps acting up after that, then will have to have the Miele man out.

Am really toying with the idea of having Miele come out any way, as one paid good money for that cord, plus installation labour, it shouldn't be doing this after only two years. The Miele washer needs a new control button set (the "On" button often won't stay depressed), and am sure the belts and perhaps motor brushes (if there are any), should be checked. Just wasn't planing on having that work done right now, still if Miele does come out, they will be getting an ear full about the cord. Maybe can at least get them to do the other work at a reduced or no labour cost instead of refunding cost of damaged cord.

L.

 

[launderess]

Picked up a new plug today and while they store didn't have my first choice (Hubbell), beggers can't be .....

Changed plugs and when taking off the Miele plug could clearly see where almost halr or more of the wires inside the "white" wire had broken apart where cord enters the plug. Thank goodness replacing plugs isn't total rocket science:

Black - Brass
White - Silver
Green - Green

Washer powered up fine, but you know the feeling, one never feels safe in one's skin after a few "pouf" incidents, and blown fuses/tripped breakers.

Since the washing machine was totally drained of wash water yesterday after the aborted cycle, wanted to run two rinses to flush out the drums and pump of detergent and such, also to keep the "eco-ball" and or the pump from drying out. Not feeling up to running a full load, may wait until speaking with Miele on Monday. Certianly won't be using the heater function until sort out if it was only the plug which was causing problems.

Another concern, noticed the prongs on another plug for different appliance that uses the same outlet are slightly damaged. Two prongs are slighly melted at the tips, so that plug will have to be replaced as well. Since it is a Hubbell, will either have to go down town to a "real" electrical supply store, or order online. Local Homeless Depot doesn't have the greatest selection of plugs (most are those horrible Mexican or worse Chinese things), and one feels if one is going to do the job it should be done right.

L.

 

[sudsmaster]

Congrats on the repair, Laundress.

If the other appliance plug prongs look baked, perhaps the outlet itself needs replacing. Sometimes the receptors for the prongs lose their spring and/or get tarnished and this causes heat build-up.

It's also something I would do, but I would understand if you prefer to hire an electrician for this task.