If your Bosch, Neff or Siemens washer dryer is not spinning or if your clothes are coming out soaking wet after a cycle the problem could be worn-out carbon brushes in the motor. This guide will teach how to diagnose and replace the carbon brushes ensuring your machine runs smoothly again. Safety first! Before you start taking your machine apart always remember to switch off the power and disconnect the water supply for safety.

Diagnosing the Problem

Before you start you should remove all clothes from the drum. Also If there is no water left inside it means that the pump system is working correctly. However, if there’s still water in the drum you should check for blockages in the pump, sump hose or waste pipe first. You can find detailed guidance on this in this video:

If the drum is empty but not spinning it’s time to inspect the motor. A common issue with washer dryer combos especially those using carbon-brush motors is that over time the brushes wear down preventing the motor from turning properly.

Removing the Motor

1. Take Off the Drive Belt: Rotate the pulley while pulling the belt toward you; it should slip off easily.
2. Unplug the Wiring: Washer dryer motors usually have multiple wire connections, including:
   • A main motor plug
   • An earth wire with a pin-release system
   • A second earth wire at the top
   • Two smaller wires leading to the tachometer (which measures motor speed)

Washer Dryer Motor Wiring

1. Detach the Motor: The motor is secured with a couple of bolts. Remove them and slide the motor forward. If it’s stuck you can use a flat-blade screwdriver to gently pry it loose.

Inspecting the Carbon Brushes

Carbon brushes transfer electricity to the motor’s rotating armature. Over time these brushes wear down and cause the motor to lose efficiency or stop working entirely.

1. Remove the Brushes: They are typically secured with screws. Pay attention to their position and angle as this is crucial when installing new ones.
2. Check for Wear: You can also compare the removed brushes. If one looks significantly more worn than the other or has a charred appearance it means the motor is struggling to run and the worn-out brush is causing the failure.
3. Inspect the Armature: Look inside the motor where the brushes make contact. If the armature’s surface is excessively worn or damaged, replacing the carbon brushes alone may not be enough and a new motor may be needed.

I've put a starting point in so you can just click the video below and jump straight to removing the carbon brushes bit. I've explained everything in detail for you!

Inserting the New Carbon Brushes

1. Choose the Correct Brushes: Some washers use different brush angles. Make sure the replacement brushes match your existing ones.
2. Fit the Brushes: Align them correctly so they sit flat against the armature.
3. Reconnect the Wiring: Attach the spade connectors properly. Most motors have two different sizes of connectors that’s why you should make sure each wire is fitted to the correct terminal.
4. Secure the Brushes: Tighten the screws carefully to hold the new brushes in place.

New Carbon Brushes Look Like This

Final Testing of the Machine

Now you can carefully reassemble your washer dryer combo machine but before loading any laundry you want to run a couple of spin cycles with an empty drum. This allows the new brushes to bed into the armature surface which makes sure optimal contact and longevity.

If the motor runs smoothly and the drum spins as expected your washer dryer is back in action! However, if the machine still isn’t spinning you may need to check other things such as checking for issues with the circuit board.

Replacing worn-out carbon brushes is a cost-effective way to restore your washer dryer’s functionality. By following these steps carefully you can extend the lifespan of your appliance and avoid an expensive service call. If you need spare parts you can always visit our shop.

If you have any questions about your washer dryer or any other machine, please provide your brand, full model number which is written on the identification label, and a detailed description of the issue. Please visit our Contact Us page and make sure you fill out the request for what your problem is. A video shoot of the problem would be perfect as well.

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