Is there anyway to check the wiring harness to see if there is a failure or short in the wires?
Brockner,
Yes you can check a wire harness for a failure.
You’ll need a multi meter.
And a wiring diagram comes in real handy.
What seems to be wrong with the machine ?
The machine has been giving an error code, ‘hr’. In my manual it states that this is a heater relay failure, and suggest replacing the control board. I purchased a new control board and the machine worked great for about 3 loads of laundry. It then started giving the same error code with the new control board. I have gotten another new control board but I want to make sure there is not an underlying problem. (I spoke with one of the tech people there and he suggested checking other possible failure points.) I dont know what else to check. any suggetions would be greatly appreciated.
Brockner,
I understand now,
I would reccomend you check the water temp thermistor , heater and wiring.
On connector CN3 at the main control board, with the connector off check across pin #3 and pin#6, you should read 13,000 ohms at room temperature.
You should also remove the lower panel and visually check the heater assembly and wiring for a circuit, corrosion and damaged wires.
Here’s the Technical Data Sheet for your unit, sounds like that will be more helpful.
http://servicematters.com/maytag_library/docs/16026882.pdf
Good Luck,
Thank you so much for the information. I will check it out. You have been so much more helpful the the Maytag customer service. I greatly appreciate to quick reply and knowledgeable response. Again thank you so much.
Brock,
You’re quite welcome,
Something else, I just thought about it.
When you start to check the thermistor and heater, You may want to remove the assembly and check the heater element condition for warpage, calcium, detergent build up, etc.
Thanks Again,
Ok, so I had the thermostate checked when I had a repair guy out. He said it checked out fine. That was a month ago, before I had the new control board. I recieved the new control board, worked ok for a few loads. Then gave the same ‘hr’ ( heater relay failure) code. Got another new control board, I checked out the heating element visualy before I put the new board in, ( it did have some build up on it, hard water build up?), put in the new control board and same thing as last time. Worked ok for 3 loads and then gives the same ‘hr’ code. im thinkin it isnt the control board any more, maybe a bad heating element? None of the wiring harnesses looked like they had any damage or corrosion on them. I dont know what else to look at besides, buying a new washer. also what is the heater kit, and what is the thermistor ptc? Im thinking one of these parts is going to have to be purchased but i want to make sure i get the correct one.
Brock,
Yes,
Purchase the heater kit:
It will have both, the heater and the thermistor, and you’ll have them both coverred, and as long as your harness is OK, should solve the problem.
A thermistor, is basically a “solid state” thermostat.
It has a set resistance at a certain temperature, and as heat increases, the resistance changes. In your case it activates the heater relay on the control board, until the resistance changes and the relay opens and turns the heater off.
Now a days, control boards are looking for resistances from thermistors 24 hours a day, in some instances, and they also look for a rise or fall in resistance within a specific time period(seconds), if the change is not within a certain range and time period , you get a fail code.
That’s whats happenning in your washer, and leads me to believe you either have a loose connection or a weak heater element.
Ok. Thank you for the quick response. I will get that ordered today. I will let you know if that fixes the problem. Again thank you for all your help. It is very much appreciated.
You’re welcome.
Drop us a line when you’ve got it going.
Well I wish i had good news but the new heater kit still has not fixed the problem. Same “hr” error code. The machine worked for 1 load and then the 2nd load gave the error code. I dont know if it is worth sticking more money into this machine. Im half way to a new one for all the parts that i have bought. I cleared the codes on the control board, and I have the heater relay on the control board unplugged for now in hopes that it will reset the machine. I will check all the wiring harnesses again one last time, to see if I have missed something, but i dont know what else to look at.
Brock,
Let me do some more investigating, and see if I can get some more information or updates, that I may not be aware of.
I’ll drop you a response as soon as I hear something.
Well, out of sheer curiosity I put my original control board back in with the new hearter kit, and the machine has been working all day. I dont know why, and I dont know how, but it is working. YIPPY:) I am going to return the control board that I have ordered. Thank you so much for all of your help. I will recomend this site to everyone I know. you guys do a great job! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Brock,
Thanks for the update,
Glad you got it up and running.
I’ll have to let my contacts know, They were not aware of any problems.
You’re very, very welcome,
Thanks for the compliments, I will let the management team, know.
So after the machine worked for one day, the machine gave that awful ‘hr’ code again. I bought the wiring harness for the machine, it was the last thing to look at. When I went to replace it, the wire for the heater relay was melted and burnt in the plug. I am confident that that was the problem. It would also explain why the machine would work for a while and then stop. With the virbration of the machine, the wires would lose connection and then get it back. Just thought I would let you know that we FINALLY figured it out! Happy Day! Thank you a bunch for ALL your help and suggetions for the problem. You did a great job! Keep up the good work! Thank you again!
Brock,
Great job, and glad you’re up and running.
We’re happy you stuck with it, and put in the extra effort to solve the problem.
Good Luck,