[bcmike]

My front load LG washer has been working great since I bought it new 2 years ago (just now beyond the extended warranty). Last week a heavy bath mat caused an unbalanced load and the washer shook quite violently when it was spinning before I shut it off. Ever since, the washer displays an ie error after trying to fill for 10 minutes or so.

I've followed the recommended steps to fix the IE error, checked the inlet hoses, cleaned the inlet filters (weren't very dirty), and even tested the fill level switch and hose inside the machine. all checked out fine.

I believe the problem has to do with the drain pump being stuck on during the fill cycle. As the washer is filling with water, it is constantly being drained so it never fills up. As a test, I deliberately clogged the drain trap with a rolled up sock and the washer filled up in a couple of minutes then the cycle continued without any error, although I stopped it since it obviously took forever to drain. It is not a drain siphoning problem - the drain is fed into a standpipe above the top of the washer and it has plenty of room to breathe. I also ran through the diagnostic test in the LG service manual and during the test it sounds like the drain pump is running the entire time.

Could it be a wire was disconnected somewhere while it was shaking? I've got the top and back panels off the machine now but I'm not sure where else I should look for the problem? I assume I need to take the front panel off if I need to access the drain pump?

[sidfink43]

Ok, it sounds like your pump is staying on, which can either be problem with the control unit or the pump itself. I vote for the pump since it works when you make it fill.

I don't work on many of these and do not have one in front of me but I think you do access the pump by taking off the front.

[bcmike]

Today I disconnected the ground wire from the pump and ran another cycle. (I was able to access the pump from the access hole in the bottom of the machine without taking the front panel off.

The water filled to the proper level in just a minute or two and started washing with no IE error. At the same time, I hooked up my multimeter to the (brown) drain pump wire at the back of the main board and it read 119V throughout the entire cycle, verifying that was getting constant power from the control board. Eventually, as expedted it gave me an 'OE error' after the first wash cycle finished and the water level didn't go down after a few minutes.

I guess that means the main board will have to be replaced?

[sidfink43]

yep, sounds like the control unit is sending power to the pump all the time.

[bcmike]

Well I just called LG Canada and explained my problem. I was happy to see that LG Canada has a 3 year warranty on the controller (as opposed to 2 years in the US). Unfortunately I still have to pay $100 for a service call so they can confirm the problem. I am still wondering if the problem may be something other than the control board? Is there any other component that would trigger the controller to keep the drain pump running?

[sidfink43]

I don't have a wiring diagram for that model, but if you have access to it check and see if there is relay. I don't think there is, but if so the relay might be stuck. Otherwise the wiring diagram should show current coming directly out of the board.

[bcmike]

Turns out it probably was a stuck relay. The LG technician just left. He replaced the control board with a new one and it's working great again. He thinks the drain pump relay somehow got jammed closed in the old control board, which he let me keep.

I discovered from another source that there is actually a service bulletin for this machine:

Service Bulletin no. : WW/M20100276

Date Issued: June 10, 2010

If the software version is: "IU:00"

You'll need a new MAIN BOARD (EBR43249701) and three new STRUTS (383EER3001F)

This only applies to the WM2010CW washer with SERIAL NUMBERS *up to* 906KWxxxxxx

A flaw in the ***software*** caused excessive spin-vibration----which also usually damaged the STRUTS.

NOTE: The new MAIN BOARD will have a ***software version*** of: IU:03

Interestingly both LG Canada and the technician couldn't find any record of this service bulletin, but it sounds like it is exactly what caused my machine to break down. Anyway, the control board was replaced under warranty and I confirmed that it has the newer IU:03 software, so I am happy. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

[sidfink43]

Well great, glad you got it fixed and that they were able to come through for you.

Good luck with your washer going forward, thanks for updating us also.