Frigidaire Affinity washer won’t start; E68 error code; replacing the water heating element

Example model number: ATF7000EG0

You may or may not see a fault code with this problem. Here’s an example of how this problem appeared to a Grasshopper in the Samurai School of Appliantology:

After shutting the door and pushing start on the washer you can hear the door locking mechanism engage and a quick check of the door shows that the door is indeed locked. Once the door locks the typical “hum” that is heard at the beginning of the cycle is heard and you can also hear what I assume is relays or a relay engaging but you never hear water flowing and within about 10-15 seconds the cycle stops and the door unlocks. No error codes are displayed.

In situations like this, it’s always a good idea to put the washer control console into service mode and see if there are any error codes that may be stored there. Here’s how:

READING ERROR CODES:

1. Wake the washer by pressing any button.
2. Wait 5 seconds.
3. Press and HOLD the Start/Pause and Cancel buttons simultaneously.

As long as the buttons are held, the failure code will appear in the display as an E followed by two numbers, a number and a letter or two letters. The control will beep and the Door Lock, Wash, Rinse, and Final Spin indicator lights will flash.

Quick Check

If there is no error displayed and the washer momentarily starts then turns back off:

1. Listen for a relay closure inside the motor control shortly after the Start/Pause key is pressed. If this happens, the motor control has power.

2. Check the 5 pin connector wiring between the console control and the motor control.

NOTE: During normal operation, the display may show:
“SAn” – deep clean (Sanitary Cycle)
“cd” – cool down (Sanitary cycle)
“do” or “dr” – door problem.
“Err” – an error has been detected.
“LOC” – control lock is activated.
“PAU” – cycle has been interrupted.

BTW, I’m getting all this good info from the tech sheet that comes supplied with every Frigidaire and Electrolux washing machine and is cleverly hidden inside the cabinet of the machine. Remove the toe panel to get to it. If someone “borrowed” yours and forgot to return it, you can borrow mine; just be sure to return it!

Some models of Affinity washers, such as ATF7000EG0, have a water heating element to boost water temperature. The element is mounted in the bottom of the outer tub. If there’s a problem with the water heating circuit, you’ll see an error code E68 in the display while in service mode. This means, “Current leakage to ground on heater or fuse opened.”

In reality, most the time you’ll see the heating element simply fail open as heating elements are prone to do. You can check continuity of the element from the back of the washer. Remove the back panel and look to the bottom of the tub, you’ll see the heating element terminals like ahso:

Frigidaire ATF7000EG0 Washer Heating Element
(click to enlarge)

You should read around 14 ohms on a good heating element. If the heating element is open or reads a very high resistance, then you need to replace it. Come git you one==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Heating-Element/1191170

Samurai Appliance Repair Man
http://fixitnow.com

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