Whitegoods Help article

Hoover Error 8

💡
Quick Answer

Hoover error 8 (also shown as E08) relates to the tacho coil – the small sensor on the motor that measures motor speed. The error means the PCB is not receiving a usable signal from the tacho coil. The cause could be the coil itself, a wiring connection fault, or the PCB. Also check for worn carbon brushes, which have resolved this error on some machines. Not all motors have carbon brushes.

Error 8 Across Hoover Models

Model range Error 8 description
Hoover Vision HD Tacho fault
Hoover Nextra Motor jammed / drum shaft jammed, or tacho generator fault
Hoover 3-phase autowashers Tacho generator out of circuit – can be wiring or PCB
Hoover Optima E08 – Tacho fault

The Nextra’s description also includes “motor jammed / drum shaft jammed” as a possibility – so if you have an error 8 on a Nextra, also check that the drum turns freely by hand before focusing on the tacho coil. A seized drum or motor bearing produces the same error because the tacho coil never registers rotation. For more on the Nextra error code and tacho coil photos, see our guide on Hoover Nextra error 7, which references the same component.

What Is the Tacho Coil and What Does It Do?

The tacho coil is a small electrical coil fitted onto the motor at the opposite end from the drive belt and carbon brushes. A magnet is fitted to the end of the motor armature shaft. Each time the motor completes one revolution, the passing magnet induces a signal in the tacho coil. The PCB counts these signals to determine motor speed and uses this information to control the motor throughout the wash and spin cycle.

🔄

Why losing the tacho signal stops the machine

On older machines, a missing tacho signal allowed the motor to spin uncontrollably – this caused damage to the machine. Modern machines detect a missing or invalid tacho signal and stop immediately, displaying an error code. The machine will not run until the tacho signal is restored.

🔌

What can cause error 8

The error indicates the tacho circuit has failed, which can have several causes: the coil itself may have become open circuit; the coil can physically fall off the motor, particularly on older machines; there may be a connection fault at the coil or PCB end; a wire between the coil and PCB may have broken; or the PCB itself may have a fault affecting the tacho input.

Diagnosing Error 8

  1. Check the drum turns freely by hand.

    Open the door and spin the drum manually. If it is stiff or will not turn, a seized drum bearing or motor bearing may be the cause – this stops the tacho coil from generating any signal at all. See our guide on washing machine drum not turning.

  2. Inspect the tacho coil visually.

    Access the motor (back panel removal is usually required). Check whether the tacho coil is still in place on the motor. On older machines it can physically detach from its mounting. If the coil has fallen away from the motor, it will not function regardless of its electrical condition.

  3. Check the wiring and connections.

    Trace the two wires from the tacho coil to the PCB and check the connectors at both ends. A loose, corroded, or broken connector is a common and simple cause of this error. Disconnect and reconnect each connector to ensure a clean contact.

  4. Test the tacho coil resistance.

    The tacho coil has a relatively high resistance – typically 150 ohms or more. A standard multimeter set to a low resistance range may read this as open circuit when the coil is actually functional. Use a meter capable of reading up to at least 200 ohms and test across the two coil terminals. A reading consistent with the typical range suggests the coil is intact; a true open circuit (no continuity at any range) indicates the coil has failed.

  5. Check the carbon brushes (if fitted).

    Worn carbon brushes have been reported to cause error 8 on some Hoover machines – not through any direct link to the tacho coil, but because a motor with severely worn brushes may not be producing clean rotation that the tacho can register. Not all motors have carbon brushes. See our guide on diagnosing worn carbon brushes.

⚠️
Do not replace parts speculatively

The PCB can also cause error 8, but a PCB fault should only be suspected after the tacho coil, wiring, connections, and carbon brushes have all been checked and found to be in order. PCBs are expensive – confirm the simpler causes first.


Need a Repair or Part?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tacho coil on a washing machine?

The tacho coil is a small sensor coil fitted on the motor, at the opposite end from the drive belt. A magnet on the motor armature shaft passes the coil once per revolution, inducing a signal that the PCB counts to measure motor speed. The PCB uses this speed information to control the motor throughout the wash and spin cycle. If the coil signal is absent or invalid, the machine stops and displays an error code.

Can error 8 be caused by something other than the tacho coil?

Yes. The error indicates the tacho circuit has failed, which can be caused by: a failed tacho coil, the coil physically falling off the motor, a loose or broken wiring connection, worn carbon brushes (on motors that have them), or a PCB fault. A seized drum or motor bearing can also trigger the error on Nextra models because the motor never actually rotates to generate a tacho signal.

How do I test the tacho coil?

Use a multimeter to test resistance across the two tacho coil terminals. Tacho coils typically have a resistance of 150 ohms or more. A standard meter set to a low resistance range may show this as open circuit even when the coil is functional – ensure the meter is set to a range capable of reading at least 200 ohms. A genuine open circuit reading at all ranges indicates a failed coil.

Last reviewed: April 2026.

Discussion

42 Comments

Grouped into 25 comment threads.

Louise Bale 3 replies Hi, I have a hoover Dynamic with E08 error which only occurs when the program attempts to start the spin part of the program. However it spins just fine on the spin only cycle. Carbon brushes are fine. Ideas would be much appreciated Thanks

Hi, I have a hoover Dynamic with E08 error which only occurs when the program attempts to start the spin part of the program. However it spins just fine on the spin only cycle.

Carbon brushes are fine.

Ideas would be much appreciated

Thanks

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Louise Bale

Hello Louise. The main difference between the separate spin cycle and when it does a spin as part as a wash cycle is that the latter has to drain out water first. So main suspect would be not draining water out fast enough. However, that’s not one of the normal listed causes of error 8. This error may not apply to your model as it’s listed for Hoover Vision HD series washing machines, Hoover 3 phase autowashers and the Hoover Nextra and Optima models.

Check when it drains out the water prior to a spin that the water is pumping out properly. Check the pump filter too.

Louise Bale

Likely replying to Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Hi Andy, thanks for the response. You are quite right it is not draining within a wash cycle. The separate drain only cycle does function.
So what can be causing this and most importantly how can we fix it ?
Thanks
Louise

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Louise Bale

Hello Louise. Start at the link I put in my last comment.

Steve 2 replies I have s problem with my Hoover washing machine it's coming up with a E08 error so Iv Checked out the motor brushes they look ok so I'm lost now can any one help

I have s problem with my Hoover washing machine it’s coming up with a E08 error so Iv Checked out the motor brushes they look ok so I’m lost now can any one help

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Steve

Hello Steve. You need to check the other things in the article. Carbon brushes are only one possibility but the main one is the tacho coil and it’s all explained in the article.

Lee

Likely replying to Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Hi Andy,

Just want to say thanks for the article; it’s saved me buying a new washer-dryer after the E08 error code popped up on my Hoover WDYN856DG. I followed the advice (and the YouTube vid posted by Sledger), got hold of the new and had it up and running in an hour.

Best regards, and keep up the great work!

Lee

Marnia Sansbury 2 replies Hoover vision tech vt816d22x erroe08 showing. Cant open the door and occasionally the motor grunts if I put it on spin only. This spin only cycle has been very temperamental lately but wash cycles have been fine till now. Any advice appreciated.

Hoover vision tech vt816d22x erroe08 showing. Cant open the door and occasionally the motor grunts if I put it on spin only. This spin only cycle has been very temperamental lately but wash cycles have been fine till now. Any advice appreciated.

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Marnia Sansbury

Hello Marnia. The second paragraph mentions carbon brushes and links to a diagnostic page. If your motor has been playing up and not running properly it could be the brushes.

Marnia Sansbury

Hello Andy, my husband has opened the back of the machine and it all seems to be hidden away and he wont touch it. I have opened the door so able to remove the wet washing!!! Left a message with a hoover repair man in Aberystwyth!!
Thanks for your advice

kal 1 reply I have a hoover "dyn9164ppg"--erroe code e08-- runs for about 4/5 mins than the code appears--called an engineer out ---he said this machine does not have bushes on the motor---as the machine does spin and drain---he said it was the pcb panel---is this correct---as he did not open the machine or use any of his tools---help

I have a hoover “dyn9164ppg”–erroe code e08– runs for about 4/5 mins than the code appears–called an engineer out —he said this machine does not have bushes on the motor—as the machine does spin and drain—he said it was the pcb panel—is this correct—as he did not open the machine or use any of his tools—help

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to kal

Hello Kal. Many modern washing machines don’t have carbon brushes. It’s easy to tell by just spinning the drum by hand. If the motor has carbon brushes you will hear a ratchety sound. If it’s almost silent then the motor probably has no brushes. However, if the brushes are bedded in very well you might not hear much of a ratchety sound. An engineer can’t tell it’s the PCB panel without looking at and/or trying a new one, but if it’s a common cause of the error and he’s come across it a lot he would be right to suspect it. However, I wouldn’t think you could be 100% sure it’s the PCB without trying a different one.

Simon 1 reply I have a Hoover DYN 9144 DG washing machine. The Error E08 appeared after 10mins . The brushes seemed OK but worn so I suspected the tacho coil. Rather than buy new brushes and coil I bought a new motor from Hoover. Fitted that tonight and same error E08 appeared after about 10mins again. Very frustrating! What do you suggest I should check next?

I have a Hoover DYN 9144 DG washing machine. The Error E08 appeared after 10mins . The brushes seemed OK but worn so I suspected the tacho coil. Rather than buy new brushes and coil I bought a new motor from Hoover. Fitted that tonight and same error E08 appeared after about 10mins again.
Very frustrating! What do you suggest I should check next?

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Simon

Hello Simon. That must be very frustrating, especially as the error didn’t reappear until 10 minutes in. You must have thought you had fixed it. However, buying a complete new motor instead of a pair of carbon brushes and a tacho coil was pretty extravagant. If you replaced the entire motor then it’s safe to say that the tacho coil, carbon brushes and magnet have been discounted. Unfortunately it could be connection faults between the tacho coil and the main PCB, or even a fault on the PCB itself. I would definitely advise not to replace the PCB, which would be another expensive gamble.

There is even a possibility that the error code E08 means something different on your model. Manufacturers have been known to change the meaning of error codes on later models. If the error only occurs after 10 minutes maybe that is the case. I would expect this error to occur virtually straight away as soon as the motor tries to turn.

One way to possibly test this is when the error occurs, if you reset the washing machine, possibly unplugging it for a minute or two and then try running it again – if it runs okay but gives the error code after 10 minutes I would suspect that the error code means something different on your washing machine.

If however once the error code has been triggered, the error code displays even after turning it off and starting the wash cycle again that might imply that something is failing only after the 10 minute period. In that case possibly something getting warm and losing connection or failing, or something like the heating element switching on but not working. Unfortunately you are most likely going to need an experienced engineer with test equipment.

David Richardson 1 reply Hi I've got a Hoover DYN9164 keep getting the E08 code....it basically starts cycle fills up and runs for 10 minutes then error code. I removed the motor to find no carbon brushes at all. I'm guessing tacho coil then but no clue really.

Hi I’ve got a Hoover DYN9164 keep getting the E08 code….it basically starts cycle fills up and runs for 10 minutes then error code. I removed the motor to find no carbon brushes at all. I’m guessing tacho coil then but no clue really.

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to David Richardson

Hello David. Carbon brushes are only one of the possible causes so as you say it’s not carbon brushes in your case. That leaves the motor magnet, tacho coil, a connection fault on the tacho coil at the motor plug, a wiring fault between the motor plug and the PC board and even PC board fault. Out of the list of other faults the tacho coil is one that you could in theory test for if you have a continuity test meter. Everything you need to know is in the article. If you can’t see anything you’ll probably need an engineer.

Rachid 1 reply Hi I have the same problem with my washing machine e08 i have taken the motor out of machine and it has no brushes. its a hoover vision hd

Hi
I have the same problem with my washing machine e08 i have taken the
motor out of machine and it has no brushes. its a hoover vision hd

Andy Trigg (Whitegoodshelp)

Likely replying to Rachid

Hello Rachid. Carbon brushes are only one possible fault, check out the other information about the tacho coil.

James 1 reply Hi, I've also encountered the E08 error message on my Hoover WMH148DF machine. I've watched the video by Sledger and will give it a good at replacing the carbon brushes. But I'm not sure which brushes to buy. Could someone here advise where they bought theirs and how much? I think the machine in Sledger's video is the same as mine - Hoover WMH148DF. Thanks!

Hi, I’ve also encountered the E08 error message on my Hoover WMH148DF machine. I’ve watched the video by Sledger and will give it a good at replacing the carbon brushes. But I’m not sure which brushes to buy. Could someone here advise where they bought theirs and how much? I think the machine in Sledger’s video is the same as mine – Hoover WMH148DF. Thanks!

Mez 1 reply My Hoover washer had error 8 code, how do I get the clothes out until I get an engineer out to it, the door is locked, is there a manual way?

My Hoover washer had error 8 code, how do I get the clothes out until I get an engineer out to it, the door is locked, is there a manual way?

Grant 1 reply Watched 'Sledgers' video, (great help!) got recommended reading on 'tacho', brushes long although housing close to commutator, still drum won't rotate, hope to try main supply direct to motor but can't find info on terminal block which connections or wire colours, any one know? Thanks, Grant.

Watched ‘Sledgers’ video, (great help!) got recommended reading on ‘tacho’, brushes long although housing close to commutator, still drum won’t rotate, hope to try main supply direct to motor but can’t find info on terminal block which connections or wire colours, any one know?
Thanks,
Grant.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *