Hoover Nextra error code 7

Hoover Nextra washing machines indicate their error code by flashing two lights in a 15 second cycle (usually the start and pause, or start and delay-start leds). If you count how many times the lights flash before pausing and repeating the sequence you should have the error code.

The error code could be anything from 0 to 11 although I can only assume error 0 is displayed by having the lights not flashing.

According to my book, error 7 means -

“Motor jammed / Drum shaft jammed / Tacho generator fault”

(Remember error codes are specific to one make or even one range of washing machines. An error 7 on an AEG for example will mean something different)

These three explanations all refer to a specific fault where the washing machine knows it’s supplying power to the motor and that the power is running all the way through the motor and back to the main pcb. Therefore it knows the motor should be running – but it cannot detect that the motor is actually running.

Motor jammed

The first possible fault could be if the motor is trying to turn but the motor is physically jammed. This is likely to be rare. It’s easily tested by opening the door on the washing machine and spinning the drum by hand. If it moves normally and freely it’s clearly not jammed and this is not the fault. If it is jammed or very stiff then making sure the machine is disconnected from the mains supply you can just take off the drive belt. You can then see if the motor is jammed or not because the shaft where the belt fits wouldn’t be able to be turned by hand.

Drum shaft jammed

This would cause the exact same problem in that the motor is trying to turn but because the drum was jammed it couldn’t. Again, easily tested by turning the drum by hand – if it’s free then it isn’t the fault. If it’s jammed or very stiff, removing the belt will let you determine whether it’s the motor or the drum that’s jammed.

Tacho generator fault

The way a washing machine detects the speed of the motor is via the tacho coil which is the last potential fault listed.

The tacho coil is on the outside of the motor attached to the end opposite the drive belt with 2 thin wires running from it. It’s a small coil that surrounds the shaft of the main armature where a small round magnet is attached. As the armature turns the magnet on the end of the shaft turns inside the coil. It’s then easy for the pcb to count each revolution of the small magnet and work out how many revolutions per minute it is turning.

In the photo above you can see at the top of the motor a typical tacho coil set up.

The specific fault referred to here by error 7 could be caused if the tacho coil has dropped off the end of the motor and therefore isn’t detecting the movement of the armature in the motor.

[ Related general advice: Washing machine stops with an error code ]

Written By - Washerhelp on September 22nd, 2008 with 9 comments
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