Troubleshooting Your Computer Boards

By Carolyne Johnson | May 14, 2010

The purpose of this “troubleshooting guide” is to potentially save you time and money prior to sending a computer board in for repair. When checking for electronic problems with a washer or dryer, the following methods for troubleshooting the machine are suggested.

The easiest way to determine if the computer board has failed is to move the defective computer to a working machine and check to see if it functions properly. If it works without problems, there is most likely something else wrong with the machine besides the computer. If the problem follows wherever the computer goes, then the computer board will need to be repaired.

Be sure to check all of the wires and connections to the board to verify that the unit has been correctly installed, and cycle the power. Also, always turn the power to the machine off when installing or removing any electronic components. Turn the power back on only when the computer has been fully connected.

If you do not have multiple machines available to swap boards for testing, an easy solution is to replace the computer with a new or rebuilt board and see if the problem goes away. If it does, then the old computer is probably defective and can be rebuilt and kept as a spare unit. If a new or rebuilt computer is not available, start by cycling the power.

If the computer does not respond when the power is turned back on, then check for power going into the board. If a wiring diagram is available, find the connector where the power is going in and measure the input voltage with a volt meter to make sure it is there.

Also, check for any loose wires or burnt plugs on the harness, or any visible water damage or burns on the computer board. Make sure all connectors are securely in place.

If the computer looks damaged in any way, remove it and send it for repairs. If the power is intermittent or one of the machine functions is intermittent or doesn’t work at all, try gently tapping the unit with the back of a screwdriver (the non-conductive end) and see if there is any change.

If the unit responds to the tapping, there is a good chance the board is defective and will need to be sent for repair. Be sure to check for wiring problems and loose connections. Also, look carefully at the keypad. If it looks worn or damaged, replace it.

For specific problems like “no drain” or “no motor,” refer to the wiring diagram of the machine to make sure the appropriate signals are going into and coming out of the computer board.

In general, when troubleshooting for computer problems, always check for loose wires or plugs and make sure that the computer has been installed correctly. Cycle the power. Reprogram the wash or dry cycle.

Oftentimes, computers have memory problems that can be simply fixed by reprogramming. If the computer is reprogrammed and you still have problems with it or it loses its memory again, the board is defective and will need to be replaced or repaired. Also, it is a good idea to know your machine well enough to program basic things like pricing and cycle times – or at least have the service books handy.

Of course, always keep the phone numbers of a good technician and your local distributor handy for any questions that may arise.