Sediment in filter at back of washing machine

Hello,

The FH error code means the computer on the control board didnt detect any water entering the washer..sometimes it doesnt detect the water entering because the filter screens on the water inlet valve are clogged with sediment and water is having a hard time entering the washer.

The filter screens can be checked by turning off water at the faucets and disconnecting the fill hoses from the back of the machine and pop the screens out of where the hoses connect at the washer and check for blockage in them. If they are found to be clean, check the water coming out of the hoses before connecting them back to the washer...if the screens are clean and water pressure is good out of the hoses the part of the washer called the FLOW METER would need to be replaced

GENE

Hello,

The FH error code means the computer on the control board didnt detect any water entering the washer..sometimes it doesnt detect the water entering because the filter screens on the water inlet valve are clogged with sediment and water is having a hard time entering the washer.

The filter screens can be checked by turning off water at the faucets and disconnecting the fill hoses from the back of the machine and pop the screens out of where the hoses connect at the washer and check for blockage in them. If they are found to be clean, check the water coming out of the hoses before connecting them back to the washer...if the screens are clean and water pressure is good out of the hoses the part of the washer called the FLOW METER would need to be replaced

GENE

Several factors can cause a GE washing machine not to allow water to enter the drum, including closed valves, kinked hoses, a faulty electrical breaker or sediment in the water lines. Sediment occurs most often when the water to the home is off due to electrical outages or when installing items in the plumbing. Cleaning the screens will remove a sediment blockage, allowing water into a washing machine.

1. • 1 Check each water valve for the hot and cold water lines to make sure they are open completely. Open valves are turned completely to the left. Check the fuse at the electrical box to make sure it is not faulty, and check to make sure the washer is plugged securely into the outlet. Observe the water supply hoses to make sure there are no kinks from the supply valves to the back of the appliance.
     Observe the water supply valve handles to see if they are cracked. If so, they need replacing.
     
   • 2 Turn off both the hot and cold water supply valves. Turn each knob completely counterclockwise to turn them to the off position. Pull the washer forward to reach the water supply valves, hoses and the back of the washing machine. Place one hand on each side of the washing machine and slightly lift the front while pulling straight out from the wall.
     
   • 3 Place a bucket at the rear of the appliance. Use adjustable pliers to unscrew the hot and cold water hoses on the back of the washing machine. Turn each hose counterclockwise to unscrew and remove from the washing machine while pointing them into the bucket to catch any water in the hoses.
     
   • 4 Turn on the hot water supply valve and hold the hose pointing into the bucket. Observe to see if water is coming out of the hose or trickling out of the hose. Repeat this procedure for the cold water supply hose. Limited water or no water flow indicates that the lack of flow is at the valve end of the water supply hoses.
     
   • 5 Pull the filters out of the washer valves with needle-nose pliers. Rinse under warm water to clean out any sediment and replace them in the hot and cold water washer valves on the appliance.
     
   • 6 Unscrew the hot water supply hose from the valve using adjustable pliers. Turn the hose connector clockwise to unscrew and remove. Repeat this procedure with the cold water supply hose. Pull out the screen from each hose with needle-nose pliers and rinse under warm water to clean. Replace the screens.
     
   • 7 Replace both water supply hoses on the washer valves and the washing machine and tighten them with adjustable pliers. Slide the washing machine back into place and level the legs by slightly lifting the front of the washing machine and setting it back down.
     

I am not a repair person but I have this exact washer, and this problem all of the time. You probably have sediment blocking the water from coming through the cold water hose. Turn off the main water supply valve where the hoses are connected, then disconnect the cold water hose from this end ( not the end connected to the machine). There probably is a little plastic filter with a rubber gasket on the inside of the end of the hose. Remove this filter and gasket, noting how it is in there so you can replace it exactly the same way. Clean out this little filter in sink to remove all sand, dirt, sediment. Replace filter back in end of hose and connect back to water valve. Turn main valve back on. This should make a huge difference in the stream of cold water that comes into your machine. I have very hard well water with a lot of sediment and need to do this procedure about once a month. However, we just got a filter attached to our well holding tank so hopefully this will catch the majority of sediment before it goes through the house and into my washing maching hoses!.
Good Luck!

Turn the water off at the wall behind the machine. Note if it takes a few turns to close the valve or not (a partly open valve could restrict flow.).
Disconnect the hoses at the machine. There should be a filter there. Clean that filter.
If there is not a filter there, then remove the hoses at the wall end and check/clean filter.
If a filter cannot be found, then test the water flow from the hose by getting a bucket and putting the hose ends in the bucket. Turn the water on at the wall and note if there is strong flow from the hoses. If there is, then there must be a filter screen in the washer that needs to be located. If there is not, then look for problems upstream in the plumbing system.
Finally, there should be a water level sensor in the washing machine which should force the washer to fill before proceeding (although different water level requirements based on load size impact that sensor.).

Let m e know what you find and I can give you more instruction.

Make sure the machine is switched off.

Unscrew the hose fitting from the back of the machine look into the hole and you should be able to see a cone filter

You should be able to pull out the plastic filter which is there to catch debris

Wash it out under a tap

Re-fit and re-secure the hose
Use a pair of long nosed pliers to gently remove it

You probably have sediment clogged in the inlet hoses and/or screens in the water inlet valve of the washer. First, turn off your water taps in the back of the washer. Disconnect the hoses one at a time and insert them in the wash tub. Turn the water taps back on to see if you are getting water through the lines. If not, you will need to remove the hoses and flush them out. If the hoses appear fine, inspect the sediment screens on your water inlet valve (this is where the hoses connect to). You can use cotton swabs to remove most sediment. If you cannot get the screens to clear and/or if sediment has gotten inside the water inlet valve, you will probably have to replace it. Try flushing the lines and cleaning the sediment screens, first, though. I hope this helps you.

My oppinion, if it is filling with water after the cycle, replace the valve. The screens are to prevent sediment in the water from getting into the valves. If you try to remove the screens, you will likely dammage them and allow more sediment in. Enough sediment will allow the valve to stay open far enough to over flow the machine.

If you have had the washer for awhile you should clean the sediment filters, where the hose goes into the back of the machine and where the fascet and hose connect. The cold water side usually collect more sediment. The filter screens are delicate so be careful pulling them out.