Zanussi Essential - stuck on 90c :(

[fl1012]

Got abit of a problem with our Zanussi Essential, which is 2 years 4 months old.

My Mum went to put some washing on this morning, put the tablets & conditioner in, set the program, went to set the temperature dial & it turned round as far as 90c but then got stuck & won't budge in either direction.

We've given it a few tries but not been too forceful incase the dial snaps off. The dial doesn't even seem to detatch to allow us to turn the internal switch with plyars or something. Therefore we've had to phone an engineer.

As yet he's not called back so dunno when or if it'll be repairable. Anyone got any thoughts? Is this switch likely to be moulded into the control board?

It's the latest style of Zanussi, although unusual in having a manual temperature dial next to the main program dial. Most of Zanussis other current machines have the temperatures on the program dial itself, or use a digital selection. Apparantly ours is some kind of limited machine, possibly for Euronics.

It's a ZWF 14170W incase anyone can help. Not to be confused with the much more common ZWF 14070W (with no temp dial).

Hope someone can help!

Liam.

 

[newwave1]

Ahhh no!!
That's not good Yea i sold these at my euronics liam This was in place of the 14070w which was kicking around comet and currys!

I'd imagine it is part of the main circuit board. Hopefully it won't be too pricey?

If ya can't repair it any ideas what you'll get next?!

D

 

[hotpoint9534]

Hi Liam,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The temp dial is definitely removable on this one, however it can only be removed by removing the fascia panel. Then it is necessary to remove the PCB (circuit board) to access the knob. I have the service manual for this if you would like me to email it to you.

Tom.

 

[fl1012]

Thanks for replying so quick boys *winks & grins cheekily*

Darren! Indeed it's not good. I hope it won't cost too much, as even though the machine is relatively new, i fear that the cost of a replacement part (which is probably part of a larger component) will cost enough to make it uneconomical to fix, given the likely life-span of the machine.

If we do have to change it, i think i'll plump my older Zanussis in initially & then try & get the parents to go down the second hand route, probably a Zanussi Jetsystem of some generation, like the Excel of the late 90s or the XC range from a few years ago.

If theyre hell-bent on going for a new machine then i'd suggest Beko, another Zanussi, possibly Whirlpool if it's cheaper than an equivilent Zanussi, or Miele if Dad can speak to his mate who's an engineer for them & get a graded one.

Tom

Thanks for confirming the dial is removable but only with the fascia, at least we know there's no point pulling on it anymore!

Not keen on the PCB having to be removed - i fear that'll break next if it's played with, call me pesimistic but these new machines seem so sensitive.

If you could email me the service manual, that'd be great. My email is as per my msn, [email protected] - i wouldn't even attempt to fix it myself, but it might be useful if the engineer starts scratching his head when he sees the machine - they don't seem the most common machine & the fault isn't that run-of-the-mill either id imagine!

Thanks again guys. Appreciate it

Liam.

 

[ronhic]

I feel...

...that Zanussi should fix this under warranty...

...given that this is effectively putting the 'design life' of their machines at 2 1/2yrs...and I would also be using words such as 'consumer affairs', 'fair trading' and any other corporation threatening stuff I can find/think of if they even start saying 'out of warranty' or 'not covered'....

 

[hotpoint9534]

Hi Liam
Check your emails! Yep they certainly aren't built to the same standard as your FL1012 or Z9292T.

Tom

 

[fl1012]

Got it, cheers Tom

Particularly cool finding out about the anti-foam & unbalance - i wondered why ours only cuts the spin when its sudsy if its on the second burst, but not the third - all explained in your attachment!

Rohic

I dare say i might phone Zanussi if it can't be repaired without alot of expense. I guess if you don't ask you don't get! My parents do own an Electrolux fridge & freezer, plus condensor dryer aswell as the Zanussi washer (which replaced an Electrolux one) all from new. And i own a Zanussi dishwasher & fridge freezer bought new by me in 2008 (aswell as my old Zanussi FL1012, Z9292T & Electronic Sensor dryer bought secondhand).

So i guess if anyone has a chance of getting some sort of goodwill, it could be us!

The washer is bloody immaculate aswell, and the strange gritty sound it sometimes made recently stopped too, so will be sad if its gotta go

Liam