The washing machine is overheating and producing steam
Is your washing machine all heated up? Does it get too hot regardless of the selected temperature? The cycle seems to be running normally, but the machine is hot and produces steam which damages your clothes and linens. There’s no need to take out the thermometer! Browse through this troubleshooting guide to discover the reason for your washing machine's fever and to get its temperature down!
THE POTENTIAL CAUSES FOR THIS FAULT:
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The electronic module is malfunctioning
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The programmer is stuck on the heating setting
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The temperature sensor is defective
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Overheating is caused by a faulty thermostat
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The pressure switch is defective
WARNING
Before you do anything to your appliance, make sure you disconnect it from the power supply.
There is a risk of electric shock.
Wear suitable protective gloves if you need to dismantle anything.
There is a risk of getting cut or injured
The electronic module is malfunctioning
The circuit board (PCB) or power module is like the brains of your washing machine: it controls all of the appliance's functions (start-up, heating, water, etc.). If the heating relay welded to the circuit board is damaged, the increase in the water temperature will no longer be controlled. If this component has simply come unsoldered, try to resolder it if you are able. If you can't or it has melted, you will need to replace it, making sure you note down its code/specifications or failing that, you will have to replace your appliance's entire electronic module. Replacing the whole module could cost you a lot though! Make sure you check the other causes properly before considering replacing it.
Buy washing machine control module
The programmer is stuck on the heating setting
If your washing machine's heating element keeps on heating up, even when you set the machine to a cold cycle, it may be because the heating contactor is stuck on the power supply setting.
Buy a washing machine un programmateur pour lave-linge
The temperature sensor is defective
The temperature sensor or NTC sensor is used to precisely measure temperature variations so it can transmit this information to the circuit board (PCB), the brains of the washing machine. When this component malfunctions, the washing machine may heat up to a higher temperature than requested and your clothes and linens may suffer (by shrinking or wearing out prematurely). Check the NTC sensor in your appliance using a multimeter on the ohm setting. Each washing machine is different when it comes to assessing the temperature sensor. You can get to the sensor by removing the side panel on a top loader. If it's a front loader, you need to remove the back panel to find this component. The normal value should be 15 KOhms at 20°C. If no value is displayed, then you must replace it.
Comment tester la sonde de température d'un lave-linge ?
Comment fonctionne une sonde CTN ? Tout savoir sur ce capteur
Buy a washing machine temperature sensor
Overheating is caused by a faulty thermostat
On an older washing machine that doesn't have a temperature sensor (NTC), the thermostat or klixon is what regulates the temperature of your appliance. If this component is faulty, it will no longer shut off the power supply to the heating element and your machine will overheat. Results: you'll find your linen is ruined or has shrunk even on a 30°C wash. Check this component and replace it if necessary. Some appliances have a safety thermostat that you can reset with a small button. This causes the safety feature to trigger and cut off the heating when a problem is detected. It's therefore vital to find the cause of the malfunction before you reset it.
Buy a washing machine thermostat
The pressure switch is defective
The pressure switch is the part of your washing machine that controls the water level in the tub. It works like a switch which switches on or switches off the electric circuits that supply or shut off the other components such as the solenoid valve or the heating element. If it is faulty, the heating element may heat up continuously and cause the appliance to overheat. If it's an analogue pressure switch, sometimes it's enough to just unclog the pressure chamber which may be full of limescale or detergent residue. If your machine has an electronic pressure switch, you will have no other choice than to replace it.