Washing machine draws little water: 5 most likely causes of failure

Habitual washing can turn into a disappointment if the washing machine takes on little water. Then the fence lasts a long time, and the program itself increases significantly. And when the cycle finally ends, you will end up with poorly washed and wrinkled laundry. Sometimes the problem is trifling, but there are also serious breakdowns.

Why does CMA fill less water?

Since the washer still draws water, it means that there are chances to do without serious repairs. To understand what parts and mechanisms to check, you need to understand the principle of operation of the machine. You load the laundry, add the powder and press the “Start” button. The control module sends a signal to the inlet valve to draw water. The membrane (flap) opens and lets water into the tank.

Meanwhile, the pressure switch (level sensor) controls the intake by changing the pressure. As soon as enough is dialed for the selected mode, the pressure switch sends a signal to the module and the process stops. Next, the wash begins.

Therefore, you need to check all the details that are included in the set. But first, it is better to eliminate the simple causes of the problem:

• Weak pressure in pipes. Open the faucet and check the pressure. Weak? Then it remains to wait for the resumption. If this problem happens everywhere, then it makes sense to install a pump.
• Partially inlet valve closed. The device is installed on pipes for supplying and shutting off water. Turn the valve, it may have been accidentally turned on.
• Inlet hose kinked. Inspect the hose, it may be kinked or kinked. Resume the normal position of the hose.
• Filter mesh clogged. To prevent debris and pieces of rust from getting into the drum, there is a filter consisting of a fine mesh at the point where the hose is connected to the CMA body. It retains small litter, so it can become clogged over time. Item needs to be cleaned.

• Self draining Sometimes enough water is drawn into the car, but it does not linger in the tank. Why? It could be due to high pressure in the pipes. Then the water is automatically sucked into them. Install a check valve to prevent the problem. It is also likely that the equipment is not properly connected to the sewer. If the drain hose is low, then the water, picking up, immediately goes into the drain.

Take a look at the instructions. The drain hose must be at a height of 50 cm from the floor. If this is not the case, reconnect the washer or contact the master.

To connect new equipment, it is better to contact a specialist so as not to lose the warranty. Breakdowns due to improper connection to the water supply are not covered by the warranty (if the work was carried out independently).

Have you checked the above items? If the problem could not be fixed, then it is worth checking the following details:

• Inlet valve. Firstly, it could become clogged, and secondly, the electrical part could break. Then the valve diaphragm does not fully open, resulting in poor flow.

• Pressure switch. Damage or incorrect operation of the sensor leads to the fact that the control module receives incorrect signals. As a result, the machine pours little or a lot of water.
• Pump (pump). Clogging or partial blockage of the pump leads to incomplete draining of fluid from the tank. The pressure switch controls the amount of water, so the machine cannot take more than the program requires.
• Electronic payment. Broken wiring, burnt tracks lead to failure of individual mechanisms. For example, the command to open the filling valve does not work.

The reasons have been sorted out, it remains to find out how to restore the normal operation of the equipment. It will take a small set of tools, capacity and a decisive attitude.

Cleaning the intake filter

Start with the simplest. Close the supply valve completely, unplug the machine, substitute a container and disconnect the hose from the washer body. Further:

• Using pliers, remove the mesh from the nest.

• Rinse the filter under a faucet.

• In case of severe blockage and rust, immerse the part for half an hour in a solution of citric acid.

After these procedures, the filter will be like new. It remains to put the mesh in place and connect the hose. But if after inspection it turned out that the filter is clean, then do not rush to connect.

Checking the intake valve

A little further is the solenoid valve. The element can be cleaned or replaced, repair does not make sense. In models of some manufacturers, for example LG, there are two inlets for supplying hot and cold water. Then the valve is not single, but double. Therefore, it is better to disassemble and check the part, and then buy a replacement.

To check the hoses for blockage, proceed as follows:

• After unscrewing the bolts at the back, remove the top cover of the CMA.
• Disconnect the wiring of the part, unscrew the fastening bolts.

• Disconnect the hoses leading from the valve to the powder receptacle.
• Inspect and wash all items.

To diagnose the electrical part, you can use a multimeter or a voltage supply of 220 volts. What to do:

• Set the multimeter to ohmmeter mode.
• Connect probes to valve coils.
• A good element will show from 2 to 4 kOhm.
• Also connect to the contacts of the terminal section, which on the other hand are equipped with a socket. Plug the outlet into the mains to supply 220 volts.

• If the membrane opens and water enters, the device is working.

The video will help you understand the diagnosis:

In the event of a breakdown, buy a similar item in the store and install it in place.

Replacing the level sensor

The principle of operation of the pressure switch is such that the tubes leading to it detect the change in pressure in the tank. As a result, the membrane inside the part bends and closes the switch. So the module “knows” that it is time to turn off or turn on the water supply. The cause of the problem may be a clogged tube or a broken sensor.

How to be:

• Turn off the inlet valve and power supply.
• Remove the top cover.

• Find the pressure switch (at the top near the side wall).
• Disconnect the wiring from the sensor, unscrew the mounting bolt.

• Check the tube for blockage. Blow into it.
• Do you hear switch clicks? So the item is working.

If nothing is heard, then install a new part. The pressure switch cannot be repaired. Replacing the pressure switch is described in detail in the video:

Inspection of the pump

When washing, the liquid from the tank is drained several times – before rinsing and spinning. But if it does not completely go into the drain and some part remains in the tank, then the machine cannot normally estimate the amount of water intake. We are not talking about a complete breakdown of the pump, but about a partial blockage of the pump. What could have happened:

• The impeller is blocked by a foreign object.
• Clogged pump or drain pipe.

Proceed step by step:

• Remove the plinth panel or small door under the hatch.

• Substitute the container.
• Unscrew the filter.
• Wait for the liquid to drain.
• Clean the filter and look into the seat.
• A little deeper is the impeller. Check if there is a foreign object there (coins, threads and hair on the axis).

Now we need to get to the pump. If your model has a removable bottom, turn the car on its side and proceed. Not sure where the pump is located? Then it’s easier to remove the back panel and look. If the pump is closer to the front, you will have to dismantle the front wall.

How to check items:

• Disconnect pump wiring.
• Unscrew fasteners.

• Turn the pump counterclockwise, remove from the snail.
• Check the elements for clogging.

• Unclip the hose clamp with pliers.
• Take it off and clean it of debris.

After cleaning, reassemble all parts. In the future, carefully watch what you load into the drum. Coins forgotten in pockets, small decorative elements remain in the washer and fall into the drain, blocking or breaking internal nodes.

Removing the Control Unit

All a non-electrical user can do is visually inspect the board. Therefore, we will describe the stages of disassembling the control panel:

• Remove the powder tray by pressing the latch in the center.

• Loosen the screws around the perimeter of the panel.
• Pry out the latches using a slotted screwdriver.
• Carefully disconnect the panel, disconnecting the wiring one by one (take a picture of the pin arrangement in advance).

• The board can also be fastened with latches that need to be pressed out.

Basically, you don’t have to pay. You only need to inspect the surface for damage and burns. Then we can definitely say that the reason is in the board and repair is required.

These are the options for breakdowns are possible in the washing machine. We hope everything works out for you with the usual cleaning of the blockage. But even in the case of disassembling the case – do not worry, the recommendations will help fix the problem.