Miele Washer Woes

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Sorry to clarify

at the end of a wash cycle, the automatic switch-over from rinsing to spin can depend on the machine detecting the rinse has finished.

The rinse portion normally ends with the water being pumped out and the tumbling of the clothes. However, some machines can tumble until "the timer is up" because they don't figure that the rinse is finished.

Due to the weight of the motor I wouldn't go at the brushes unless I was certain it was the brushes.

In looking into things I have found a manual for the W770/W772/W783/W784 however it doesn't go into how to change the brushes.
 
Have also seen said manual

If it is the same it mainly refers to the German versions of the 700 series even though printed in English. It does state that certain things may be different for models sold in North America.

There is another far more in depth manual for MieleUSA techs that covers all early Miele laundry appliances sold in USA (700 series and 1065/1070 washers along with matching dryers), but have not been able to lay hands or even see one.

Now the service manuals for later Miele washers such as the 1900 series does tell how to replace the motor brushes. But it is a much easier affair since Miele had switched to a new motor by then.

From what one understands Miele brush motors are rather long lived and that particular part does not wear out for some time with regular use. In contrast washers like Asko and others easily require brush changes every few years it seems. My guess is if this is true could be why so little attention is paid to swapping out brushes in manual. Likely the set installed probably would last if not out last the washing machine's rated life cycle (15-20 years?).

Have seen European versions of the 700 and 1070 series motors on various European eBay sites. These motors were pulled from units that were rubbished for various reasons and were still "fine".
 
The motor on this machine works just fine. The machine will step through every part of the cycle, it will agitate the laundry as it should, it will drain, it will fill, it will heat. I've tested the pressure switch by blowing in the tube and connecting a multi meter to test that it is switching on and off. I tested the spin speed toggle switch and it toggles. I'm not sure what else it needs to do since it is a simple switch.

I will check the breather hoses from the pump to the dispenser but I'm not sure how that would cause the machine not to spin, even when I run it through the spin cycle with the front panel open.

At this point, I am thinking it is the electronic control board mentioned earlier but I don't know how to test that component. There were clearly some burn marks on the plug attaching to the control board and part of the metal connector was "degraded" from heat.I called Miele to see about price for this part and it is $600!!! I am hoping this is not the issue because I don't think I will repair at that price.
 
@laundress looking back at you previous post about the motor have one side for tumbling and one for spinning. I may go in there this weekend and take a look at the motor after all.
 
Sadly Miele Telephone Tech Support

Won't give out much today, only firmly and calmly insist on booking a service call. Some time back if you got a good tech with some experience they would help you walk through a few suggested things and or even small repair.

If you do decide to go in my advice is to do so slowly and armed with some sort of knowledge first. Glean as much as possible from online service manuals as to what *might* be the problem when a machine will not spin. I would at all costs avoid heaving out that heavy motor unless absolutely necessary.

Have you tired various online European washer forums? Unless your Dutch or German is good you'll have to use a translator, but there are peeps on that side of the pond who know vintage Miele washers backwards and forwards.
 
I removed the motor from my W1065 today and took a look at the brushes. They are definitely done and do not appear to be touching the commutator or whatever it's called. I ordered a new pair from Miele. Cost is about $65. I will report back once I have it running again. Probably a couple weeks. Thanks @Laundress for putting so much info up here that allowed me to troubleshoot the common problems. I'm not out of the woods yet but it looks promising.
 
Hats Off To You!

How did you manage to get that motor out of machine? Was it such a horrible thing as Miele techs have made one believe all these years? Did MieleUSA give you any help or just placed the order for parts (brushes).

Makes one wonder how many of these older units are trashed because they won't spin when in reality all they need is new brushes.

Good for you!
 
motor removal

I can tell the motor on these are really heavy, but they're not so difficult to remove as stated here...! Did a brush replacement on a WS5406 when I was a trainee at Miele Norway in 2008/09, and it wasnt bad experience...

Good to here you were trying to fix it yourself
 
@above:

"I can tell the motor on these are really heavy, but they're not so difficult to remove as stated here!"

They are. It's not even hard to remove a Muet engine, 3 bolts (two on the right and one on the tensioning side) and it's out.
 
Again have no personal experience

Was only relying upon what MieleUSA techs and others have told me regarding changing the brushes/removing motor from my and other older Miele washers.

No matter how "easy" it may seem to some, MieleUSA still won't do such things in house, at least not the last time one made enquiries. Then again you never know; a few months ago the did replace the suspension system (springs and locking bars/plates) which seemed more difficult than dealing with motor.
 
The technicians seem to be like

photocopier technicians. Only able to replace modules.

Although in saying that who wants to attempt to repair a vintage washer. If any of the pieces crumble off then start praying or paying.

Imagine funding a replacement motor if you looked at one of the brushes and found crumbling wiring, brittle plastics, rusted screws.

Customers can have the "you touched it last so it's your fault" attitude too.
No thank you.

Perhaps thats why they want to repair away from prying eyes?
 
One had a long and drawn out "shouting match" with M

Head of service tech department regarding his "ban" on further work for my washer.

His point of view as pretty much as stated above; in opening up an "old" washer his repair techs were also opening up a can of unforeseen worms. If in replacing the motor "brittle wires" go, or the relay must be replaced, etc.... and then it yes does come down to who pays for what. A customer might be have contracted for say having the motor brushes replaced, but if that leads to other issues from removing and replacing said motor who is going to pay?

Looking around eBay and CL among other second hand places you find no small number of Miele washers, dryers, and dishwashers that in theory could be repaired. But the cost of doing so versus a cost benefit analysis usually turns many off the idea.

Mentioned to MieleUsA how is it possible what would be considered non-professionally trained persons can tear down and repair Miele washers in Europe in in their own homes or work spaces (provided links to Youtube videos). This includes getting motors out without winching the entire tub out of machine, got nothing but silence as a reply.
 
It sounds like Miele's common tone when beeing confronted with work they dont like...remembering when I was working there..it way a BIG no-no working on washer dryer combo's...and work on machines older than say 15 years was priced in a way they KNEW the customer wouldnt do it.

If a customer now with a old Miele wanted me to do work on it, I would have said OK, I'll do it, but without any promises or warranty for other faults or finds.. It's ALWAYS on the customers risk!
It's not many weeks since I repaired a Asko 1400 diswasher...26 years old...on customers own risk...
 
"How did you manage to get that motor out of machine? Was it such a horrible thing as Miele techs have made one believe all these years? Did MieleUSA give you any help or just placed the order for parts (brushes)."

I drained the water in the plinth, tipped it on its right side witha blanket under it so I could pick it back up, removed feet and the two screws holding on the pan, removed the swivel/belt tension bolt, removed the belt and then removed the two bolts holding the motor in. One bolt was a little hard to get to but nothing compared to working on an old Porsche 914 I used to have. It was a super fast job, probably less than 30 minutes. The motor weighs at least 40 to 50 lbs. Brushes are easily accessed under the plastic cover held on by two screws. Having done some pretty serious mechanical work I would rate this as a 2 out of 5. I've rebuilt entire cars and motorcycles but never done any machining or anything.

I have no idea why Miele won't do this in-house. I think it's a cop out. The wiring thing also seems a cop out. How many machines have you encountered with vinyl insulation that have cracked? Paper insulation maybe (triumph). I've owned over 30 motorcycles, most vintage and many that have lived outside. None of these have ever had cracked wires. I could see this happening with a dryer but having opened up my Miele T1052C Dryer once to investigate a clicking noise, none of my wires looked bad. Fixed the clicking and that was five years ago. It still works great.

New Miele machines have very few parts to go wrong. There is a motor, a control board and either some inlet valves and a pressure sensor maybe a resistance sensor. Not much to go wrong. A minimally trained tech can fix most of this because it's obvious what has gone wrong. Why would they want to try to figure out this complicated old machine of mine with its endless wiring and funny timer and back breaking motor. I hardly want to deal with it myself. :)
 
Repaired!!

The brushes arrived today and went in with no problem. Putting the motor back in was easier than removing it. Three bolts and voila. Belt tensioned to about 1/2 inch of give with firm finger/thumb pressure. I tested the spin and it is even more quiet than before. I can't believe it was this easy. There I was chasing down switch goblins and wires. Anyone with a machine that won't spin but everything else seems to work, I would try these motor brushes first. Hoping for another 5 to 10 years out of this beauty. I'm guessing my dryer brushes will be next, or the moisture sensor brushes.

Thanks to all who responded. You really got me thinking about the most simple issues first.
 
Most common fault when a brush motor won't spin is just

the brushes....

Again it is sad to think how many Miele washers that otherwise were perfectly fine where chucked because they didn't spin, and worse MieleUSA was rather uncooperative.

Have heard Asko repair when based in Texas did similar things as well.

Good for you!

Am glad at least your washer was saved!
 
I guess Miele USA isn't as customer friendly as Miele NL

Boy, you're so wrong. I absolutely despise Mieles nowadays. (and let's not start how shitty the washers have become since '97, RIP the ye olde 700-series quality :( )

Breaking/Aluminum drum spiders? REALLY MIELE?!

A "fake" discount for a new machine when the repair guy writes your machine off, while you can find the same online for much cheaper? Dick moves like not putting service manuals online? (hell even Bosch/Siemens had/have exploded views online if you look deep)

Terrible CS that's way too expensive for small things? (90 euros just to come to my home alone? that's nuts!)

No, I'll stick with Asko. Hell, they even browse gebruikershandleiding.com and answer questions like error codes or other issues. I don't see Miele doing that.

(and before one of you calls me a Asko shill: I have no relation to the Alluance Group or Asko NL, I just freakin' love them because that's the pretty much the only brand that does not allow the cancer of appliances/everything called "planned obsolence", it almost feels like a Jewish/kike move from Miele to sell more appliances IMO)

Also, i'm getting REAL fuarrrking tired of the "new users can only post every 30 minutes" shit! Who even came up with this -pic related- idea? Makes me wanna ragequit AW because of it as I really hate that sort of idiotic stuff. It's only annoying, it will NOT stop spammers!

tl;dr: All appliance brands suck nowadays, get a Miele 700/1000-series WITH a MRT series engine, a Asko or get fuarrrked over by "CURRENT_YEAR" appliances and brands' their terrible quality.

Be glad we're in Yurop, Foraloysius. the Americans can't even get Miele parts and have a terrible government that mandates all sorts of retarded shit (25 year import rule for cars, water saving appliances that have TERRIBLE performance and reliablity)

I hope Trump really fixes the cancer that's called EPA though, if he wins.

Okay, enough sperging, gonna do something worthwhile now. like finding out wtf my 12003 isn't spinning properly.

(disclaimer: this post contains potential spelling errors, lots of sperging and other faggotry from someone who despises pretty much everything that's >CURRENT_YEAR, read with caution.)

askodude-2016031111042007241_1.jpg
 
Miele nowdays


Our 961 lastet 11 years. 7 people, about 7 loads a week.

Yeah, Miele service is expensive. But even Bosch charges like 50-60€ to come out. And they don't offer anything if they write of a machine.
We had a 2 1/2 year old W3241 that had a dead board, which was replaced with us only paying these 90€. Not the 300€ part. It only lived another year after that, but that was bad luck.

They are the only people who offer 8 additional years of warranty. On any washer or dryer. For 219€ (or 279€, I don't know right now), they cover ANYTHING. You could get a cheap WClassic series now for about 700€, with this warranty an ENSURED lifetime of 10 years for only 979€.

They sure are far away from their pre '00s state, but they innovated constantly, and are certanly on par with most mid-range manufacturers. And the service personal always was nice to us.
I'd consider them. They are no longer THE brand, but a good brand.

Again, just my point of view...
 
This machine is from 1990. That's 26 years!! I think MieleUSA's policy on not wanting to repair a machine this old is not out of the ordinary. Techs probably don't know this machine anymore. Anyone who worked on one of these 26 years ago is either not at Miele or has moved up. Most techs only trained on new machines and common issues. When it comes to onsite repairs, there is probably more liability in scratching up someone's floor when you have to tip a machine over. It's not worth it for Miele. Once you get into someones home for one of these repairs, all sorts of things can go wrong, especially if you're dealing with an upset or unreasonable customer. Anyway, this was no harder than changing the starter motor in my car.
 

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