Washing machine motor brush replacement in Tbilisi

When the brushes need replacing

Worn brushes usually show up like this:

• the drum turns in jerks or stops in the middle of a wash;
• the machine does not spin or stops during the spin cycle;
• the motor hums but the drum does not move;
• there are sparks or a burning smell from the back;
• the display shows a motor or drum rotation error.

Not every machine has brushes

Brushes are found in a brushed (universal) motor that turns the drum through a belt. Many Indesit, Ariston, Beko and Candy models use one, as do non-inverter models from Samsung, Bosch and other brands.

Inverter and direct-drive motors (for example, LG Direct Drive) have no brushes. On those machines the same symptom has a different cause, and the technician checks other parts.

What you can check yourself

There is no need to open the motor. You can safely:

• unplug the machine;
• turn the empty drum by hand: if it is stuck, the cause is more likely something else (bearings or a foreign object);
• note at which stage the drum stops and take a photo of the error code;
• find the model sticker around the door opening or on the back panel so the technician can bring the right brushes.

How the technician checks and replaces them

The technician removes the back panel, measures the brushes and inspects the commutator — the metal cylinder of the motor that the brushes press against. Brushes are replaced as a pair, matching the motor model.

If the commutator is badly worn or burnt, new brushes are not enough: the motor needs repair or replacement. The technician tells you after the diagnosis, before you agree on the price.

After the replacement the technician runs a short programme with a spin to make sure the drum turns smoothly.