Washing machine nightmare

[richarddavey]

Does anyone know how to fix a washing machine which only works on cold wash? Heating element?

[Tweed]

Sounds like the element or the thermostat.

[Clanad]

There may be a language problem, but do you mean a clothes washer or dish washer? I'm not aware of any clothes washing machines that have heating elements for water temp...

[richarddavey]

thanks for your answers...but it is a clothes washing machine - so if it doesn;'t have an element how does it heat up water to the correct temperature? Or does it simply take normal hot water from the household system?

[Ray the DJ]

Clanad is completely wrong!
Of course clothes washing machines have elements to heat the water. 
The element is easy to replace.  It's at the bottom of the drum and is accessed by removing the back of the machine.  MAKE SURE YOU HAVE UNPLUGGED THE MACHINE FIRST!
A couple of screws should be holding it in position.
Remove it and take it to your local appliance store for testing and/or replacement.

[richarddavey]

Thanks for the advice Ray the DJ - will do.

[Clanad]

Having tried to reply several times, I'll see if it works today.  Obviously washing machines work entirely differently re: water temp, in the UK than in in the US. At any rate, best of luck, and I've learned something as well...

[richfo]

If the machine is completing the wash it is most likely the thermostat, as if the heater was gone the machine would not finish the wash. The thermostat tells the timer to advance when the correct temp has been reached, if the heater was broken it would not keep washing (usually, unless it is some weird make). Mind you it could even be the programmer/timer as ultimately it controls everything.

 

Rich