Which Spare Part Will Fix Your Westinghouse Appliance?

The spare part you need depends on the problem you’re seeing. In this article, we’ll show you how to check common Westinghouse appliance issues, figure out which part to order, and know when to call a professional.

Key takeaways

• A warm fridge with a cold freezer is likely an airflow problem, so check the fan and look for frost on the freezer back panel.
• Washing machine faults usually come down to water in, water out or the drum drive, and a blocked filter is the cheapest thing to rule out first.
• A dryer that won’t heat or dries slowly is often an airflow problem before it’s a failed part.
• Try cleaning and putting the burner cap back in place before assuming the igniter is the problem.
• Anything that touches the gas path should be handled by a licensed gasfitter.

Is your fridge warm while the freezer stays cold?

This often means cold air isn't getting to the fridge section of your Westinghouse fridge. In frost-free models, a fan moves air from the freezer’s evaporator coil into the fridge. If something blocks that airflow, the fridge won’t cool properly.

Start with these troubleshooting steps

• Set your fridge to about 3 to 5°C and your freezer to around -18°C.
• Check that food isn’t blocking the vents inside.
• Try closing a piece of paper in the door. If it pulls out easily, the door seal isn’t tight and warm air can get in.
• With the power off, vacuum dust from the condenser coils at the back or underneath, since dirty coils make it harder for the fridge to cool.

Listen for the fan

Open the freezer door and press the door switch so the fan keeps running. You should hear a quiet hum and feel air moving. If you don’t hear anything or the fan is hard to turn, the evaporator fan motor might be the problem.

Check the back panel for frost

If you see a lot of frost on the back panel of the freezer, the defrost system may have stopped working. The common parts involved are the defrost heater, defrost thermostat, and sometimes the control board.

To check, unplug the fridge, move your food to an esky, and leave the doors open for 24 hours. If the fridge works well for a few days and then has problems again, the defrost system is probably the issue.

If your fridge isn’t a frost-free model, you can skip these parts. If it’s running hot, making noise, or not working at all, the compressor or its start relay could be the problem. In that case, you’ll need a technician.

Is your washing machine not filling, draining or spinning?

If your Westinghouse washing machine stops mid-cycle, turn off the power and the tap, then check these in order:

• Not filling: Check that the tap is open and the inlet hose isn’t kinked, then clean the mesh filter where the hose meets the machine. If both are clear, the water inlet valve may be faulty.
• Not draining: Clean the drain pump filter, usually behind a small flap at the bottom front of a front loader. If water still sits in the drum, the drain pump is the likely culprit.
• Not spinning: Redistribute the load first, since an unbalanced drum can stop the spin. A worn door lock or lid switch can also stop the cycle, and if the motor runs but the drum doesn’t turn, check the drive belt on belt-driven models.

A loud grinding noise during the spin usually means worn bearings, which is a job for a technician.

Is your dryer not heating or taking too long to dry?

Rule out airflow before you order a part. If your Westinghouse dryer dries slowly, clean the lint filter, empty the water container, clean the condenser (if your model has one), and check the vent hose for lint. A blocked vent traps heat and is a fire risk.

If airflow is fine, match the symptom to the part:

• Runs but no heat: The heating element or thermal fuse is the usual cause. The fuse doesn’t reset after it blows, so find out why before fitting a new one.
• Drum won’t turn: The drive belt has probably snapped or slipped.
• Squeaking or thumping: Worn drum rollers are the usual cause.

Heat pump dryers work differently, and their sealed system needs a technician. Our guide to common dryer faults has more detail.

Does your burner click but not light?

If your Westinghouse gas cooktop clicks, the igniter is sparking, so the problem is usually where the gas and spark meet. Turn off all controls and let the cooktop cool before you follow the steps below.

• Clean the burner: Take off the cap and head, and use a soft brush or toothpick to clear the port slots. Make sure everything is completely dry, since a damp cap often causes problems.
• Reseat the cap: It should sit flat and centred. If it’s tilted, the gas won’t reach the spark properly.
• Clean the electrode: Wipe the tip of the spark electrode with a dry cloth or a soft brush. Spills or residue can stop the spark from working.

Next, look for a pattern. If only one burner won’t light, the problem is likely the burner cap or electrode. If none of the burners work, make sure the gas isolation valve is on.

If the burner lights but goes out when you release the knob, remember that many cooktops have a flame failure device, called a thermocouple, that needs to be held for a few seconds. If the flame still goes out, the device may be faulty. This is a gas safety part.

The most commonly replaced parts are the burner cap and head, the spark electrode, and, if several burners won’t spark, the ignition module. Always check with a licensed gasfitter before replacing anything connected to the gas line.

Check your Westinghouse appliance warranty

Before spending on spare parts and repairs, check whether your appliance is still under warranty, especially if it’s fairly new. Under Australian Consumer Law, manufacturers and importers must provide spare parts and repair services for a reasonable time after you buy. DIY repairs can also affect your warranty, so it's worth asking first.

Who should you call when it’s not a simple fix?

If your warranty has run out and the fault looks bigger than a clean and a part swap, here’s a quick list of who you should call.

• Call a licensed gasfitter for anything involving gas lines, valves, regulators or flame failure devices.
• A refrigeration technician should handle compressor and sealed-system faults.
• And, a licensed electrician should handle any mains wiring you’re not confident with.

Gas faults need extra care. If you smell gas, turn off the controls, close the isolation valve, open the windows, and stay away from switches and flames. Call your gas supplier’s emergency line, or 000 if the smell is strong or anyone feels unwell. Yellow or orange flames, or flames that lift off the burner, also mean you should stop using the cooktop until a gasfitter has checked it.

Not sure whether a job is safe to tackle yourself? Our guide to DIY vs professional appliance repair explains where to draw the line, and we can connect you with a repair technician if you need one. Telling them what you’ve already checked and which part you suspect will save time on the call-out.