Causes of the appearance and elimination of error F08 in the Hotpoint-Ariston washing machine

The Hotpoint-Ariston brand washing machine is a fairly reliable household appliance that serves for many years without any serious breakdowns. The Italian brand, known all over the world, produces its products in different price categories and with a different set of service options. Most models of new generation washing machines have automated control and an electronic display on which information about program processes or emergency situations is displayed in the form of a code.

Any modification of modern Hotpoint-Ariston washing machines has the same coding, which consists of alphabetic and numerical designations.

In the event that the Hotpoint-Ariston washing machine shows the F08 code on its display, this means that there have been malfunctions associated with the operation of the tubular heating element, called the heating element. A similar situation can manifest itself at the very beginning of work - that is, when starting the machine, about 10 seconds after starting. Also, the activation of an emergency code can occur in the middle or at the end of the washing process. Sometimes it appears before starting the rinse mode or after the machine has performed this function. If the display shows the code F08, the machine usually pauses and stops washing.

The heating element in the washing machine serves to heat the cold water coming from the plumbing system to the tank to the required temperature level according to the washing cycle. Water heating can be low, only 40 ° C, or reach a maximum, that is, 90 ° C. A special temperature sensor, which works in tandem with the heating element, regulates the degree of water heating in the car.

A modern automatic washing machine (CMA) of the Hotpoint-Ariston brand has a self-diagnosis function and, in the event of any malfunction, it issues a special code indicating where to look for the causes of the breakdown. This function greatly simplifies the process of using the machine and its repair. The appearance of the code can be seen only when the machine is turned on; on a device that is not connected to the network, such a code does not appear spontaneously. Therefore, when the machine is turned on, for the first 10-15 seconds, it self-diagnoses, and if there are malfunctions, after this period of time information will be sent to the working display.

The heating system in a Hotpoint-Ariston washing machine can break down for a number of reasons.

• Poor contact between heating element and electrical wiring. This situation may arise some time after the start of operation of the machine. Working at high speeds with significant vibration, the contacts of the wires suitable for the heating element or temperature relay may loosen or any wire may move away from the attachment point.

• Program crash - sometimes the electronics may not work correctly, and the control module built into the washing machine requires a reboot. If you disconnect the machine from the power supply and start again, the programs will restart and the process will return to normal.

• Corrosion effects - washing machines are usually installed in the bathroom or kitchen.Often in these rooms there is an increased level of humidity with poor ventilation. Such a situation is dangerous because condensation may form on the housing and electrical wiring, leading to corrosion and malfunctions of the machine.

• Burned out temperature sensor - this part is rare, but can still fail. It cannot be repaired and requires replacement. In the event of a malfunction of the temperature relay, the heating element heats the water to the highest rates, despite the fact that the specified washing mode provided for other parameters. In addition, working with the maximum load, the heating element can fail due to overheating.

• Heating element malfunction - a frequent cause of a heating element breakdown is the actuation of a safety system inside it. The inner spiral heating the heating element tube is surrounded by a low-melting material, which melts at a certain temperature and blocks further overheating of this important part. Most often, the heating element overheats due to the fact that it is covered with a thick limescale. Plaque is formed during the contact of the heating element with water, and since water contains dissolved mineral salts, they envelop the heating element tubes and form scale. Over time, under a layer of scale, the heating element begins to work in an enhanced mode and often burns out because of this. A similar part must be replaced.

• Power outages - this problem often arises in power supply networks, and if the voltage surge was too large, household appliances fail. The so-called noise filter is responsible for stabilizing operation with voltage drops in the Hotpoint-Ariston washing machine. If this device burns out, then in such a situation the entire electronic control system may fail at the washing machine or the heating element may burn out.

Before starting to diagnose the washing machine to eliminate the error under code F08, it must be disconnected from the power supply and water supply. If water remains in the tank, it is drained manually. Then you need to remove the back panel of the machine body in order to have access to the heating element and temperature sensor system. The further procedure is as follows.

• For the convenience of work, experienced craftsmen advise those who repair the washing machine on their own at home to photograph the location of the wires going to the heating element and the thermal sensor. During the reassembly process, such photos will greatly facilitate the process and help save time.
• The wiring suitable for the heating element and the temperature sensor must be disconnected, and then take a device called a multimeter and measure the resistance level of both parts with it. If the multimeter readings are in the range of 25-30 Ohm, then the heating element and the temperature sensor are in working order, and when the device readings are equal to 0 or 1 Ohm, it should be understood that these elements are out of order and must be replaced.
• If the heating element in the car burns out, you need to loosen the nut and sink the bolt deep into the rubber gasket, with which the heating element is held in place. Then the old heating element is taken out, the thermal sensor is detached from it and replaced with a new heating element, after transferring the previously removed thermal sensor to it. The heating element must be positioned so that the latch holding it near the water tank is triggered and secures the end of the part farthest from you. Next, you need to fix the fixing bolt with a nut and connect the wiring.
• In the case when the heating element itself is serviceable, but the temperature sensor burns out, only replace it without removing the heating element itself from the machine.
• When all the elements of the circuit in the heating system are checked, but the machine refuses to work and displays an error F08 on the display, the mains interference filter should be checked. It is located on the back of the machine in the upper right corner. The performance of this element is checked with a multimeter, but if during inspection you see a burnt out wiring of a dark color, there is no doubt that the filter must be replaced. In the car, it is fixed with two bolts that must be unscrewed.

It is not so difficult to eliminate the malfunction indicated in the Hotpoint-Ariston brand washing machine. Anyone who is at least a little familiar with an electrician and knows how to hold a screwdriver can cope with this task. After replacing the defective part, the rear panel of the case is reinstalled and the machine is tested. As a rule, these measures are enough for your household assistant to start working properly again.

See below for F08 troubleshooting options.