I've also seen this problem now... In my case re-seating the cartridge helped for a few days, but after that I got continuous flashing status LED. Turns out (after disassembling of the cleaner base) that the cross-shaped arm that checks for cartridge presence activates a micro-switch that is supposed to be open when everything is OK. I seem to have gotten a bit of water in it and therefore now it was recognized as missing all the time. As I have no plan of ever attempting to run the cleaning cycle without cartridge I disconnected the switch and isolated the cable ends - problem solved.
Disassembling of the base wasn't at all complicated when you have removed all the screws. There are three less obvious screws under the rubber feet (just pull the feet straight out), other that that they are all very visible.
We have this problem too and have disassembled the charger. However, I'm not sure what the "cross-shaped arm" is or if you're referring to the water cartridge or the filter cartridge. I will send you a giant electronic hug for a picture or more clarity. Thank you!
I can confirm that by detaching the microswitch that detects if the cartridge is present removes the red light status and allows you to use the clean function. I've went through 3 cleaning stations until i finally couldn't be bothered bringing the **** thing back to the store for a replacement (this was all under warrantry).
We really should file a class action lawsuit against Panasonic who made such a faulty system. That microswitch is so close to the water that I bet tons of those machines malfunction, and its not like i'm wreckless or move my charging/cleaning station around.
Here is what to do:
1) Take all of the screws out from the bottom (Just remove the rubber feet and you'll see 3 more screws. There are no screws under the sticker.
2) Gently remove the light grey cover from the unit. It can be a little bit tricky to remove this once all the screws are gone.
3) Look for two brown wires that attach to the cartridge sensor. You just have to take your small screw driver and pull those wires gently. This should dislodge the microswitch from its seating.
4) Simply tear off that **** microswitch leaving the wires uconnected
5) To reassamble there should be a shiny black plastic piece that connects with a fan piece (there are four little holes in the fan and four little points in this shiny black piece. The black piece fits with the light grey cover so if you don't know where it goes exactly just try to fit it with the cover first to make sense.
6) Attach the black piece onto the base with the fan (it should stay in place).
7) Then put back the selection button which probably popped out as you took off the cover back into the lower right hole (It should seat easily and when you press it you should feel a spring action)
8) Then place the grey cover back and replace the screws and rubber feet.
9) Enjoy your panasonic shaver cleaner/charger! Just remember never to use it without a cartridge (who would seriously ever do that)!
I can confirm that by detaching the microswitch that detects if the cartridge is present removes the red light status and allows you to use the clean function. I've went through 3 cleaning stations until i finally couldn't be bothered bringing the **** thing back to the store for a replacement (this was all under warrantry).
We really should file a class action lawsuit against Panasonic who made such a faulty system. That microswitch is so close to the water that I bet tons of those machines malfunction, and its not like i'm wreckless or move my charging/cleaning station around.
Here is what to do:
1) Take all of the screws out from the bottom (Just remove the rubber feet and you'll see 3 more screws. There are no screws under the sticker.
2) Gently remove the light grey cover from the unit. It can be a little bit tricky to remove this once all the screws are gone.
3) Look for two brown wires that attach to the cartridge sensor. You just have to take your small screw driver and pull those wires gently. This should dislodge the microswitch from its seating.
4) Simply tear off that **** microswitch leaving the wires uconnected
5) To reassamble there should be a shiny black plastic piece that connects with a fan piece (there are four little holes in the fan and four little points in this shiny black piece. The black piece fits with the light grey cover so if you don't know where it goes exactly just try to fit it with the cover first to make sense.
6) Attach the black piece onto the base with the fan (it should stay in place).
7) Then put back the selection button which probably popped out as you took off the cover back into the lower right hole (It should seat easily and when you press it you should feel a spring action)
8) Then place the grey cover back and replace the screws and rubber feet.
9) Enjoy your panasonic shaver cleaner/charger! Just remember never to use it without a cartridge (who would seriously ever do that)!
×
I can confirm that by detaching the microswitch that detects if the cartridge is present removes the red light status and allows you to use the clean function. I've went through 3 cleaning stations until i finally couldn't be bothered bringing the **** thing back to the store for a replacement (this was all under warranty).
We really should file a class action lawsuit against Panasonic who made such a faulty system. That microswitch is so close to the water that I bet tons of those machines malfunction, and its not like i'm wreckless or move my charging/cleaning station around.
Here is what to do:
1) Take all of the screws out from the bottom (Just remove the rubber feet and you'll see 3 more screws. There are no screws under the sticker.
2) Gently remove the light grey cover from the unit. It can be a little bit tricky to remove this once all the screws are gone.
3) Look for two brown wires that attach to the cartridge sensor. The cartridge sensor is the thing that protrudes into the cartridge well (should be a white cross shaped thing). When you place a cartridge i, this button is pushed in. You just have to take your small screw driver and pull those wires gently. This should dislodge the microswitch from its seating.
4) Simply tear off that **** microswitch leaving the wires uconnected
5) To reassamble there should be a shiny black plastic piece that connects with a fan piece (there are four little holes in the fan and four little points in this shiny black piece. The black piece fits with the light grey cover so if you don't know where it goes exactly just try to fit it with the cover first to make sense.
6) Attach the black piece onto the base with the fan (it should stay in place).
7) Then put back the selection button which probably popped out as you took off the cover back into the lower right hole (It should seat easily and when you press it you should feel a spring action)
8) Then place the grey cover back and replace the screws and rubber feet.
9) Enjoy your panasonic shaver cleaner/charger! Just remember never to use it without a cartridge (who would seriously ever do that)!
The solution posted by annenrc works! The brown wires may be difficult to find but are located near the white button that detects the cartridge close to the base. Thank you annenrc!
×
On newer models, the wires attaching to the switch are green and purple. Detaching the green, which is closest to you when looking at the side, will leave the circuit open, fixing the problem, same as the example above.
Im putting mine back together and out popped a circular magnetic part with a strip of metal attached. I have No idea where it goes back. Ay ideas?
Excellent idea on a Class Action Law Suit. I have a ES8228S with Panasonic's "Hydra Clean" System (the base unit), and while under warranty I sent it to the repair shop in New Jersey. Panasonic told me the turn-around was 10 to 14 days. After 3 Months!, I contacted the Attorney General of NJ and finally got it back. Now my razor is out of warranty and I have the same problem as described above. I went to the Panasonic Website and found only One Razor they're selling now with the Hydra Clean system. I imagine Panasonic got rid of the base stations because of the multitude of problems regarding warranty on the base units of ALL the razors that have the same base station. One thing I have noticed before the second time it crapped out on me was the "Smell" of the "cleaned" Razor. It stunk all to be damned! Even after cleaning it out.
I feel there ought to be a Class Action Lawsuit against Panasonic for I did a Web Search on "Panasonic Razor Lawsuits" and it brought me to this page. Thanks to annenrc, I've finally found someone who thinks on the same lines as I do.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mark H. Lewis
Richmond, VA
This solution didn't work for me.
I've got the same problem, red led flashing all the time, and the only option available is the drying option. I tested the micro switch mentioned above with a multi meter. When the cartridge is in place there is an open circuit, when the cartridge is missing there is a short circuit, all checked out ok, and yet still the flashing LED!!! Not sure what is going on but it sure won't do a wash\clean cycle. HELP!!!!!!!!
5,893 views
Usually answered in minutes!
×