Calling PigletJohn! Another fine mess...

[goingoverground]

So I thought a rainy Saturday might be a good day to dye a jumper...

I've just washed it, as per instructions, (all fine) and added the machine dye, started the cycle and now, 2 minutes into the cycle, the washing machine is beeping away telling me that there is in error (although it is still turning). It is empty of water but there is black powdered dye all over the drum and my damp jumper...

According to the manual, the error code means this (see pic). Water pressure seems fine. The kitchen was recently fitted by Bodgit and Scarper and the plumbing is a mess of flexible plastic hoses (they initially plumbed everything in so the washing machine drained into the dishwasher and flooded the kitchen and the pipes under the sink have fallen off twice). Apparently there is a filter on the inlet hose that should be cleaned regularly (so that could be the issue) but it is an integrated washing machine that has been fitted in a corner, the baseboard has been screwed in in front of it, skirting board fitted in front and a radiator installed about 30cm in front of the machine so I have no idea how I can even pull the machine out to get at the inlet hose (which I am guessing is at the back, although the manual doesn't say). There doesn't even seem to be a way to stop the programme either.

It's not even my kitchen, we are renting during renovations. And it's all brand new so I don't want to trash the kitchen...

If it weren't for the dye I would just leave it and wait for an engineer to come (although that took weeks last time). Help! @PigletJohn

Please?

Photo won't post. Nothing is working for me today!

It says the error means

Water level not met in 8 minutes. Make sure that tap is turned on and water pressure is normal. If problem still exists, call maintenance personnel.
or
The height of the drain hose is below 80 cm. Install drain hose within 80-100 cm of height
or
The drain hose is in water. Make sure drain hose is not in water.

Until he comes along, have you tried completely turning off power to the machine and then turning it back on again. Always try that first.

Have you checked that the tap on your stopcock is turned open enough? Mine did something similar when I had turned it off to fix the loo then only turned it on half a turn, washing machine had a hissy fit.

Good idea, Fanthorpe. Although Bodgit and Scarper have wired up the appliances to the wrong switches so I will have to try them all

There doesn't appear to be an internal stopcock anywhere Jillhaspeakyponies. The only visible pipework is under the kitchen sink, under the bathroom sink and by the boiler. No stopcock in any of those locations. I suspect B&S have installed a cupboard or the washing machine/dishwasher in front of it. If there even is one...

If you have used the washer previously its likely the water pressure is OK.
Turn off electric to washer leave off for a few minutes you may then be able to reset programme reset to door open or whatever programme involves just rinse or similar see if that works possible dye has affected sensor within washer which deals with filling the machine.
If you can get door open clean as much dye as you can from inside drum using something like old towel.
You can discount the error message about the height of drain hose because that hasn't changed

I had this problem. Inlet hose had kinked. Can you fish it out with a coat hanger and straighten it?

photograph both hoses, including their ends, and showing the route they take, especially up and down, and have another go at posting them.

Are you a new user not allowed pics?

You can discount the error message about the height of drain hose because that hasn't changed

True but the height that the drain hose emerges under the sink is a lot less than 80cm, as is the bit where it joins the pipe under the sink.

possible dye has affected sensor within washer which deals with filling the machine

Maybe although there was no water in the machine right from the start. The dye was still dry powder in the drum.

I wiggled the pipes a bit looking for the stopcock and it started up again. But it's happened again after an hour (during the rinse cycle). It may be coincidence but it happened at the same time I flushed the loo and the water pump (to boost mains pressure) switched on. It sounds like there is a tiny trickle of running water so some water is getting in.

Thank you PigletJohn! And thank you everyone else.

I'm not a new user. I am just cursed today that nothing is working! I'll try and get pics but my phone is playing up too

"True but the height that the drain hose emerges under the sink is a lot less than 80cm, as is the bit where it joins the pipe under the sink."

Loop it up so the top of the loop is up against the worktop. otherwise water can syphon down the tube. You can secure it with a cuphook and a loop of string. It is safer to drive the cuphook ito the side or top-back-bar of the kitchen unit. The worktop will be about 800mm above the floor, which is what they have in mind.

Nothing helpful to add 🙈

Bodgit and Scarper

Ok. The home button has died on my phone so it's unusable so I drew a bad diagram. I can't work out how to take a photo of it using the computer that isn't mirror image

I can post it in back to front glory though to give you the gist of the mess beneath the sink. The reality is not much better than my drawing

After the drawing ends, the hosepipes go behind the cupboards and turn through a right angle to get to the washing machine and dishwasher so there are probably plenty more kinks that are out of sight.

Oh dear, I still can't upload photos.

There is enough slack the the flexible pipes sag, both on the drain and mains water, so they make an upside down U but nowhere near enough slack to lift them up to 80 cm.

On the plus side, I turned on the kitchen tap and the washing machine started to work. I don't know if that gives any clue @PigletJohn?

Sounds like your water supply is pumped, which is unusual in UK, and the demand from the washer was insufficient to start the pump.

The washing machine designers have probably no solution to that rare occurrence.

Thanks @PigletJohn You are always so helpful! And thanks to everyone else.

The mains water supply is pumped and everything seems to use mains water. Mysteriously, there is a brand new water tank in the attic but it doesn't seem to be plumbed in!

At least I've got the jumper and dye out now so I can wait for an engineer.

the tank may run your hot water supply (and possibly the cold bath tap)

It is possible to run a dishwasher on hot water supply, and a washing machine, provided it is not hot enough to damage woolens and delicates.

It's been abandoned half installed, PigletJohn. I think it's just another of the jobs B&S left half done.The first time we opened the sash windows, we found that the paint had been stripped off the frame but they had only painted the bottom 4 inches. I guess they ran out of paint...