Fisher & Paykel Top Load GW512 / GW612 / GW712 Questions & Answers

Hi Brian, Noted your problem. Please check the following: • That the washing machine is level - When viewed from the top, the SS drum should be centrally located. • Check that the drum is sitting correctly and that the centrally located agitator bolt within the agitator is correctly fitted and “finger” tightened. • Check that the spring or suspension rods are correctly re-fitted. • The obvious one prior to washing: that the clothes are correctly/evenly distributed.

It may be helpful to review the following YouTube videos where they take out the inner stainless-steel bowl for access to the water pump inlet and then re-install the SS bowl.

• How to Clean inside Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washing machine - By Dan - Motueka Appliance Repairs • How to Clear Blocked Fisher Paykel Smart Drive Pump from the top • Clearing Blocked Drain Pump on a Fisher Paykel Smart Drive Washer • How to replace Fisher & Paykel washing machine suspension rods part # 424495P - #PartsDr #MakeAppliancesGreatAgain #FisherPaykel

Best of luck! Oscar

Cheers

Hi Suziet - not sure if you are referring to the spring or suspension rods. Either way, one of the following YouTube videos should assist you. Please highlight the video "Title Below" (excluding inverted commas). Then copy (Ctrl C) and paste (Ctrl V) the "Title Below" into your browser and hit Enter.

Good Luck Oscar

"How to Clean inside Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washing machine" - By Dan - Motueka Appliance Repairs If you are noticing greasy marks on your washing after a cycle the inside of your washing machine may need cleaning. Here is how to take the bowl out of your Fisher and Paykel Top Loader washing machine and clean it. Once you have it clear, doing the occasional hot wash and putting through a cleaner powder from the supermarket every now and then will stop the soap scum from building up again.

OR

"How to replace Fisher & Paykel washing machine suspension rods part # 424495P" #PartsDr #MakeAppliancesGreatAgain #FisherPaykel Step-by-step instructions on how to replace the suspension rods on a Fisher & Paykel washing machine. When the suspension rods fail they can cause the washer to get out of balance or the tub to sag. The suspension rod kit shown in this video is Part # 424495P (PD00056707) but the instructions in the video apply to many different part numbers and models of Fisher & Paykel washing machines. Tools you need: - Philips screwdriver - Flat-blade screwdriver Replaces these part numbers: - 421127P - AP6791036 Washing machine shown in video: WL42T26DW1-96178A

This happened to ours, after 13 years the spin cycle gave in. We had to get rid of it, I didn’t look into repairs for it as it was so old. We had a good run though!

Thanks Lisa

Hi Lisa, Interesting that the original dual inlet valves (solenoids) did not have an earth wire whereas the new replacement one does! It originates from the thermistor to the hot water inlet valve. Assuming it’s there for a good reason, I would simply connect it to an existing but matching earth connection. There should be two to the right of the inlet valves originating from the Motor Control Module. I will try and attach reference photos.

Do not forget to first switch off the mains supply and remove the electrical plug. As a precaution, always take a photo reference of the exposed area on the appliance that you are working on!

Not a technician Oscar

Hi Leanne, DISCLAIMER: Kindly note that I am not an electrical or F&P Technician. I just happen to have a curious mind on how things work! I purchased my F&P GW712 (Smart Drive) in July 2006 i.e. 16 years back! It never really gave me a problem until it came to a grinding halt earlier this year. It works perfectly after I completed some basic repairs i.e. (a) replaced the water inlet valves (b) thoroughly cleaned the spray nozzle (c)cleaned the inside face of the outer plastic drum (d) cleaned the inner stainless-steel drum and (e) the pump cap and hood (located on the inside of the plastic drum in a recess at the bottom that houses the pump).

It's not always that complicated, so don’t give up yet!

Your first port of call is the F&P User Manual. If you don’t have one, you can download it from the following link: external link  Please note that the User Manual covers the following F&P models: GW712, GW612, GW512, MW612, MW512.

Referring to the User Manual to resolve problems is the easier of the two options I will cover in this article! That said, the User Manual does not always give you the answers you are looking for. The 2nd option is a bit more technical as it refers to the Service Manual which can be a little more challenging!

OPTION 1 - USER MANUAL PROBLEM SHOOTING: Refer to the following sections.

Reference Pg 17: Check the Spin/Hold Option. If it is activated, try deactivating it.

Reference Pg 18: If wash items sit too high, they may interfere with the spin cycle. To minimize the chance of this happening, bulky items should be pushed down below the water level after filling and pushed to sit below the medium-high water level mark on the agitator before spinning.

Reference Pg 35: Not spinning properly or stopped spinning: The wash load could be out of balance. Redistribute the load more evenly. END

OPTION 2 - SERVICE MANUAL PROBLEM SHOOTING: You can download a copy from the following link – external link 

Download the manual titled “Fisher & Paykel Smartdrive GW712 Service Manual - Phase 7 Electronic Washing Machines. It provides detailed diagnostic instructions.

With your spin cycle not starting at all or stopping halfway through, it could be a malfunction in your water inlet valve. But, before you dive into the Service Manual, I would strongly recommend that you watch the following YouTube Videos.

YouTube Video Links (just copy & paste the name into Google search): (1) Explaining Fault Error Codes Fisher & Paykel (2) How to replace Fisher & Paykel washing machine water inlet valve part # 478152 (3) How to replace Fisher & Paykel washer fill spray nozzle part # 420833P (4) How to Clean inside Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washing machine (5) How to Clear Blocked Fisher Paykel Smart Drive Pump from the top.

Essential watching: Video Items 1 & 2. Video Items 3, 4 & 5 are worth watching if you want to go one step further and take your servicing to the next level!

But before you go further, watch YouTube Video Item (1) – it will explain “Error Codes” and how to interpret them.

Refer to the following section:

Reference Pg 24: 4 DIAGNOSTIC MODE To enter diagnostic mode follow the steps below. 1. Turn the power on at the power point but off at the machine. 2. Press and hold WASH TEMPERATURE SETTING DOWN and then press POWER until the machine gives 2 short beeps and lights up. 3. Release the buttons after the beeps as the beeps indicate diagnostic mode has been entered. 4.1 Last Fault Data When in diagnostic mode the last fault can be found by pressing the SPIN SPEED UP or DOWN buttons until the HOLD and SLOW lights are illuminated. Binary can then be read from the wash progress lights.

INTERPRETATION OF FAULT CODE AS AN EXAMPLE ONLY! Reference Pg 33: 8 BINARY DECODING CHART – 8 BITS (0-255) As per Video (1): 00110001 (Note that each number represents a light on the washing machine dashboard. “0” = the led light is off; “1” = the led light is on. As per Service Manual Section 8: 00**0-00* Reference Pg 34: 9.1 FAULT DESCRIPTIONS As per Service Manual Section 9.1 Error Code 49 (00110001) Cold Valve or Cold Valve & Hot Valve Faulty OR Enter the following into Google Search: Fisher and Paykel 00110001

YouTube Video (2) will show you how to replace the Water Inlet Valve. But before you open your washing machine, • Make sure you are up to the task and have the necessary basic tools. • Unplug your washing machine. • Turn off the water supply. I ordered water replacement parts locally from: WholeSale Appliances, Gateshead NSW external link 

Hope the above helps you sort out the problem. Happy to assist further if you get stuck.

Oscar

Fisher & Paykel GW612 top load washers do not have lint filters inside the tubs. They are designed to drain away any debris from the wash during the drain cycle. If there is any debris like hairpins and the like, these usually get trapped in the pump cap and hood located on the inside of the plastic drum in a recess at the bottom that houses the pump. The presence of such debris will attract and trap lint and cause pump blockages. Consider hand washing fabrics that may produce excessive amounts of lint.

If you want to know how to get to the pump cap, you can download the Service Manual at the following link: external link 

Refer to Section 10.14 Removal of Pump Hood on Page 50.

Or, an easier option: watch the following video – one of the best and the easiest to follow.

How to Clean inside Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washing machine external link 

Good luck! Oscar

Thank you for your help

Hi Bill - I recently shared my experience and provided a very detailed description on ProductReview.com.au as to how I repaired my Fisher & Paykel Smartdrive GW712 after I found out that the water from the “fill spray nozzle” was running on very low pressure. And no, I am not an electrical technician. I just happen to have a curious mind on how things work! I purchased my F&P GW712 (Smart Drive) in July 2006 i.e. 16 years back and it works perfectly after I completed the repairs. The F&P GW612 (also a Smart Drive) could be an earlier model but what was written in my review on the F&P GW712 will generally still apply. Some may ask “What is so smart about the Smart Drive?” Believe it or not, it is SMART in that it can and does run a “self-diagnosis” mode when things go wrong. All you need to do is learn how to read the code from the flashing lights on the top panel – see my F&P GW712 review writeup. For guidance on this subject, log on to the following YouTube link. Explaining Fault Error Codes Fisher & Paykel external link 

If I were you, my first port of call would be the User Manual. Go to "Out-of-Balance Recovery Routine" (Pg 28). If you don’t have the manual, see link below and download the manual. Fisher & Paykel excellence GW612 Installation Instructions And User Manual (40 pages). external link  EXTRACT FROM MANUAL Out-of-Balance Recovery Routine (Pg 28) When your Smart Drive® is spinning it can sense if the wash load is out-of-balance and will stop and re-try spinning up to 3 times. If it still senses an unbalanced load there are two options the machine can take. Automatic Recovery Option Your Smart Drive® will try to automatically correct the out-of-balance load. It will fill with water and agitate to redistribute the load before trying to spin up again. Machine Stops Option Your Smart Drive® will stop, give a short burst of beeps every 5 seconds, and the RINSE or SPIN light will flash. You must redistribute the load more evenly yourself. (Use this option if you wish to conserve water). END

If the above options don’t work for you, then, a thorough clean may be your next option as the scum accumulation on the outside face of the SS drum could throw the drum out of balance. The video link below is one of the best and easiest to follow. And before you throw your hands up in the air in frustration, the clean-up process is a lot easier than you think! Do give it a go! How to Clean inside Fisher & Paykel Smart Drive washing machine external link  If all of the above fails to resolve your drum spin problem, please do read my article on the F&P GW712 as it has some other useful links.

If you want to know more about “Fault Error Codes” log on to the YouTube Link. This is a “Service Manual” and has far more information than the User Manual. Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive GW612 Service Manual (51 pages) external link 

Good luck Oscar NB: For those still looking for answers, the above article will also resolve a number of questions raised below.

Please wear safety gear and follow general safety rules if servicing your own washing machine. Don't forget to unplug it from the mains supply after diagnosing the problem!

If it's making a hell of a noise on spin. It will be the bearings. I replaced the two bearings and the seal. Just purrs now, what a relief . Bearings and seal kit from Steve's Appliance Spares, Palmerston North. Online. Around $40 inc freight. Has a cheaper kit with noname bearings. Lots of videos on You Tube will show you how to do the whole job.

Hi Helen, The problem with your GW512 is most likely related to a malfunction in the water inlet valves. What follows is only relevant if you are going to attempt the repairs yourself and have a bit of know-how! Know your risk exposure level before proceeding.

The beeps and flashing lights on the top panel indicate an “error code”. If you are going to attempt doing the repairs yourself, your first task is to download the Service Manual at the following link:

external link 

Refer to Section 2.4.2 Wash Temperature Adjustment (GW Series Only) on Page 12 and follow the instructions.

If there still is a problem, the machine will go into a “self-diagnosis” mode and will beep and show an unusual pattern of lights on the top panel. This is an “error code”. Learn how to interpret the code from the flashing lights on the top panel. For guidance on this subject, log on to the following YouTube link.

Explaining Fault Error Codes Fisher & Paykel external link 

If Wash Temperature Adjustments don’t work and the error code (as an example) indicates that the water inlet valves need to be replaced, and if you would like to know more, have a look at the following YouTube video.

How to replace Fisher & Paykel washing machine water inlet valve part # 478152 external link 

Those yellow components in the video are the solenoids that control the water inlet valves. If you are going to attempt doing any replacement yourself, make sure your washing machine is unplugged i.e., disconnected from the electrical supply. Likewise with the water supply.

Components can be ordered online but first, make sure you have the right model number & part number. I ordered my inlet water valve replacement kit locally from WholeSale Appliances, Gateshead NSW.

external link 

Good luck!