Miele Washer F53 – Troubleshooting Guide

You love your Miele washer and, up to now, it’s worked well. However, now it has an f53 code and you have no idea what that means. You look it up on the internet and the results put you in despair. It says it could be the motor or sensor. You may have to buy a new washing machine!

If the F53 error code appears on your Miele washer, it signifies there is an issue with the motor that turns the drum. New carbon brushes or a new tachogenerator are required to get fix your washer and clear the error code. Both are simple to get and inexpensive to replace. You won’t have to purchase a new washer.

Understanding what various codes mean on a Miele washer can be incredibly helpful, even if you have to call the repair shop. Diagnosing the problem yourself can help you talk to your repair service person better, ask good questions and sometimes even fix it yourself. All of that will save you money and relieve stress.

What Does F53 Mean?

An F53 code is more of a general code which means the machine has stopped. It is up to you to diagnose it further. As a general rule, start by trying to reset the machine to see if that corrects the error. 

This will correct the problem if the issue is with the speed sensor.

Try unplugging the washer from the wall, plugging it back in, and put it on sanitize. Cancel the cycle as soon as it begins. Then, try another cycle to see what the washer does. 

You should also check the machine’s balance. Sometimes, an overloaded machine will knock it off-kilter and that can cause it to stop working. Check to see if it is level on the floor, has moved, or if the front is level with the back.

The Most Common Problem

The most obvious issue could be that the carbon brushes must be replaced. 

Motor Carbon Brushes

All washers have carbon brushes on the motor and eventually, they will wear out. A faulty carbon brush will signal the code warning system that the motor isn’t working. That is a bit of a false message because nothing is wrong with the motor itself but the carbon brushes can stop the motor from working. 

Faulty carbon brushes mean the motor won’t rotate the drum, which means the sensor signals something isn’t right. 

Symptoms of a Carbon Brush Problem

• It occurs in machines that are several years old.
• The machine is used a good bit washing two to three loads a day.
• The error code happened when the drum would normally start rotating.
• There hasn’t been any maintenance work done on the motor. 

Fixing the Problem

Carbon brush replacement is one of those things you can fix yourself once you order the parts. You don’t have to take the motor out because you can access it from the front panel. 

1. The first thing to do is check the resistance on the motor with a multimeter. It should be a few obms maximum on ports 3 and 4.
2. Unscrew the screws holding the brush holder. There should be four. Pull off the brush holder.
3. Take off plastic caps holding the brushes. Detach the wires.
4. Remove the brushes. Pull them out of the plastic boxes and replace them with new brushes.
5. Put them back into the housing. Put the plastic caps back on. Reattach the wires.
6. Remount the brush holder. Screw the holding screws back in.
7. Release the brushes using a small screwdriver on each side where the multimeter registers them

What Does the Miele Manual Say?

According to the Miele manual, the display shows there is a technical fault. In layman’s terms, the drum stopped. It says the drum or the drive could be blocked. You can check for blockages either in the filter or the drain hose.

However, there are other symptoms such as:

• The drive doesn’t start after 1.5 seconds. 
• The same thing happens during two reversing cycles. T
• The drive may work again after it cools down so wait about 20 minutes and check it.
• Those experiencing other symptoms likely have a tachogenerator problem.

The Tachogenerator

A Miele tech at the helpdesk will likely tell you to check the tacho unit for resistance. Resistance on the unit should be 500 Ohm. A low resistance means you will need to order a new unit. 

A tachogenerator, also called a tachometer, is mounted to the motor and measures the drum’s rotation speed. It controls the speed to match the effectiveness set in the washing program. Your washer drum won’t move without it working.

A new brush unit will include the tacho so it is a good idea to check the tacho unit if you are looking at replacing the brushes. That way you can do it all at the same time. The part costs around $80 and there is a motor and brush unit that can be used on a variety of Miele models. 

Fixing the Tachogenerator

The first step is to get the engine but removing the washing machine’s front wall. Then, you will need to check the sensor to see if it is faulty.

You need to measure the resistance of the sensor on the tachogenerator. Normal resistance is 70 ohms. Going over or under by 20 ohms is within range but more than that means you will need to change the sensor.

While you can do this as a DIY project, most experts recommend you call a service tech to handle the problem. That is especially true if your machine is under warranty.

FAQs

Will repairs be expensive?

Surveys show that 89 percent of washer repairs can be done cheaply. There is only 2 percent that can’t be repaired and those are over 10 years old. Miele has gotten good reviews and named a best washer from the New York Times and Good Housekeeping.

How to reset a Miele washer?

Resetting a Miele washer is as easy as most other washers. All you need to do is unplug it from the wall, wait a few minutes, and then plug it back into the outlet. All the error codes should clear from the machine.

If the machine doesn’t reset, do a master reset. This is what appliance technicians use to reset all the onboard components. 

• Open and close the washer door six times within 12 seconds. Now, run an empty rinse/spin cycle.
• Machines that run through the cycle and draining successfully are fully reset.

How to run diagnostic mode on a Miele washer?

Different Miele washer models have different ways of entering the service mode and sometimes testing in the service mode can be complicated. You will likely need to look up your particular model to see how to get into the service mode. 

Also, Miele made getting into the service mode complicated so average users can’t do it. The service mode was created solely for certified mechanics to use and most experts state you can cause problems with your machine if you don’t do it correctly.

To get into service mode:

1. Turn the washing machine on and open the door.
2. Press the stop button shut the door at the same time.
3. Let go of the stop button. Then, tap it three times and hold it.
4. The menu will pop up and you can move through it to check different elements. 

Can I force drain a Miele washing machine?

Yes, you can drain out all the water of a Miele washing machine just like most other types of washers.

Turn off the power to the washer. Locate the drain hose in the back. Get a bucket. Now disconnect the hose from the drain and let water flow into the bucket.