Maintaining a constant drum speed in a washing machine is largely dependent on the tachometer. When a washer malfunctions, the clothes may not get clean enough or the machine may get damaged. It may also spin too quickly, too slowly, or not at all.
Error codes showing up on your washer’s display or erratic spinning are common indicators that your tachometer is broken. This minor problem has the potential to cause larger problems if ignored.
The tachometer can often be repaired more easily than you would imagine. Without calling in a technician, you can resolve this yourself with a few simple tools and cautious steps.
| Problem | Solution |
| Washing machine doesn"t spin | Check the tachometer wiring for loose connections |
| Machine spins irregularly | Inspect the tachometer sensor for damage or dirt |
| No drum movement at all | Replace the faulty tachometer with a new one |
| Machine vibrates excessively | Ensure the tachometer is properly mounted and aligned |
How to understand that the tachometer is broken?
Usually, when problems arise with the washing machine, the tachometer needs to be examined. The tachogenerator will show signs of failure right away if there are issues with motor speed control, as the machine cannot function normally without a Hall sensor. Throughout the washing cycle, it’s critical to consider the following:
- the machine suddenly changes speed, sometimes slowing down, sometimes speeding up, without paying attention to the stage of the cycle;
- the drum spin speed exceeds the value set by the user or even exceeds the maximum value allowed by the system;
- the speed is too low, does not reach the required speed, or the drum does not spin at all;
- the clothes after the end of washing are either not washed at all, or not spun.
Any point on the chart suggests that the tachogenerator may be malfunctioning. You must fully turn off the washing machine and restart the regular operating cycle after 30 minutes to rule out an unintentional temporary malfunction or spinning down the machine. If the issues persist, immediate action is required.
The machine will simply stop washing in the future and display an error message on the display if the tachogenerator is not fixed in a timely manner. Furthermore, even the electric motor may burn out if the Hall sensor is malfunctioning. Consequently, don’t wait to check the device; instead, start your own diagnostics as soon as you suspect a problem.
Fixing the tiny sensor that keeps track of the speed of the drum is necessary to repair the tachometer in a washing machine. The machine may not spin correctly or may display error codes when it malfunctions. The majority of problems are brought on by broken tachometer parts, accumulated dirt, or loose connections. In many cases, the repair calls for inspecting the wiring, cleaning the sensor, or replacing it if it is broken. This repair can typically be completed at home without the need for professional assistance if you have the necessary tools and a little perseverance.
Location of the sensor
It won’t be hard to find the sensor because it’s on the rotating shaft of the motor on all LG and other brand washing machines (apart from those with an inverter motor). You must first disassemble a few parts of the washing machine in order to remove the tachogenerator, including the drive belt and the back panel.
Turn off the water and unplug the washing machine from the network before beginning any repairs.
Upon reaching the motor, locate a tiny iron ring on the shaft – this is the appearance of the tachogenerator that we require. The tachogenerator cannot be instantly removed, so carefully remove the entire engine. To avoid further damaging the washing machine, it is best to call experts rather than trying to fix something yourself if you are not experienced with electrical installation.
Does the sensor work?
In order to reconnect the engine manually later on, if you were able to get the engine working with the sensor, you should first take a picture of the wiring device. You then have to adhere to our instructions to the letter.
- Go around the machine from the rear wall.
- Unscrew all the bolts securing the engine.
- Shake the engine from side to side, and then pull it sharply towards you.
Take care—the engine weighs a lot—and avoid dropping it to avoid having to fix it again.
- First of all, you need to inspect the sensor, wires and the reliability of the fasteners. It often happens that due to sudden jumps in speed, the contacts come off and the clamps weaken. In this case, you can simply tighten the terminals more tightly and restore the usual balance.
- If there is no visible damage, then you cannot do without a test, which can be carried out in two ways.
Measuring the Ohms is the first choice. You must first set up a multimeter, undo the wiring, and affix the probes to the contacts in order to accomplish this. In the range of 60 to 70 Ohms, the sensor is functioning correctly.
Measuring the sensor’s generated current is the second method. You must set the tester to voltage mode, attach the probes to the contacts, and manually accelerate the motor in your home or have someone else do it for you. The tachometer is in normal operating condition if a reading of roughly 0.2 Volts shows up.
Although fixing a washing machine’s tachometer may seem difficult, it is doable with the appropriate strategy. This little but essential component keeps an eye on the speed of the drum to guarantee smooth operation of your washing machine. It can interfere with the entire washing cycle when it malfunctions.
You can avoid the trouble and expense of calling a professional by learning the fundamentals of how the tachometer functions and following the instructions to diagnose and repair it. Just be careful, abide by the rules of safety, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance when you need it.
Ultimately, doing this repair yourself will make you feel accomplished in addition to restoring the functionality of your washing machine. Your washing machine will soon be operational again if you have the right tools and enough patience.
