Samsung WF438AAR Operating instructions

# tsWF438 RevG 03/21/2011 1
Fast Track Troubleshooting
Model: WF438AAR/XAA
Publication # tsWF438 Revision Date 03/21/2011
Quick Test Mode
Note: This test erases all faults and memory:
To enter press Soil, Signal, & Power
simultaneously with the power off.
1. All LED’s light up and the washer beeps as it
enters the Quick Test Mode.
2. The unit displays the software version for a
second then clears the EEprom.
3. After the displaying the software version, LCD
will display Model information. If EEEE is displayed
the PCB ass’y is defective.
4. When the version is displayed, turn the Jog-Dial
so that the version disappears. Press the following
keys to test the various components
Press Temp Key to cycle through the Water Valves
circuit test (lock the door first) in this order: Pre-Wash,
Bleach, Cold Main, Hot, & Steam, then off.
Press Spin Key to test Door Lock/Unlock circuit
Press Soil Level Key to test Circulation/Drain Pump.
Press Signal Key to test the Water/Steam Heater.
When either Test or Spin is displayed on the LCD,
press Start/Pause key to conduct the motor test.
In Test mode, you can test the clockwise and counter-
clockwise movement of the motor. However, the water
level must satisfy the heater water level (24300) to en-
ter Test mode.
In Spin mode, you can test the motor at a high rpm.
Service Mode:
This mode allows more detailed operation tests and trouble-
shooting, to enter press Signal & Extra Rinse
simultaneously with the power on.
While in Service Mode the following tests can be performed:
Quick Spin Test = Delay Start & Silver Care: This acceler-
ates the drum motor from 0 to maximum RPM over a few
minutes. Note: Stay with the washer during this test, out of
balance detection is bypassed and the door may not lock.
Press the Start/Pause button during the test to hold its spinning
speed for 10 minutes before going back to Quick Spin Test
Mode.
Cycle Count = Press Signal button to see # of times used.
Soft Ware # = Press Soil button to see software version info.
Fast Time Down = Press Temp button to advance to next cycle
Fault Code Test = Press the Silver Care button to view the
stored fault codes –then turn Jog Dial to view error codes
(Push Start/Pause while the code is displayed to view the num-
ber of cycles since the error occurred)
Peripheral (Main PCB) input Tests
1. Select Extra Wash. Then turn the Jog-Dial so that the Extra
Rinse LED is turned on. Next, press the Start/Pause Key. The
Water Temperature will be displayed in Fahrenheit.
2. Select Extra Wash. Then turn the Jog-Dial so that the Extra
Spin LED is turned on. Next, press the Start/Pause Key. The
door status will be displayed (OP if open, CL if closed).
3. Select Extra Wash. Then turn the Jog-Dial so that the Delay
Start LED is turned on. Next, press the Start/Pause Key. The
door lock Switch status will be displayed (UL if unlocked, Lo if
locked).
4. Water Frequency/Water Sensor Testing - Select a cycle &
start the washer, enter Service Mode & press Extra Wash.
Turn the Dial so that the Pre Wash LED is turned on. Next,
press the Start/Pause Key. The Water Frequency will be dis-
played. The frequency will change as the unit fills.
5. Select Extra Wash. Then turn the Jog-Dial so that My Cycle
LED is turned on. Next, press the Start/Pause Key. The AG Kit
status will be displayed after 3 seconds. (―ㅂE‖ if the AG kit is
abnormal. ―—‖ if the AG Kit is working properly)
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE –“For Technicians Only” This service data sheet is
intended for use by persons having electrical, electronic, and mechanical experience
and knowledge at a level generally considered acceptable in the appliance repair trade.
Any attempt to repair a major appliance may result in personal injury and property
damage. The manufacturer or seller cannot be responsible, nor assume any liability for
injury or damage of any kind arising from the use of this data sheet.
EEPROM Clear Check
Power off, Press Delay Start, Signal and Power Key at
the same time. Good = Good Fail = FAiL
All memory will be cleared, including Fault Codes
This should be done when a new Main PCB is installed
SUPPORT INFORMATION
Training —Plus One http://my.plus1solutions.net/clientPortals/samsung/
Help —GSPN http://service.samsungportal.com/
Samsung Product Support TV http://support-us.samsung.com/spstv/howto.jsp
Customer information videos and chat programs. Programs for Fridges, Laundry, Ranges & D/W

# tsWF438 RevG 03/21/2011 2

# tsWF438 RevG 03/21/2011 3
Washer Connector Checks WF438
CN3
1 Door Lock Close (Blk)
2 Door Lock Open (Wht)
3 Drain Pump (Vio)
4 Steam Valve (Brn)
5 Bleach Valve (Pnk)
6 Circulation Pump (Gry)
7 Pre Valve (Yel)
8 Main Valve (Blu)
9 Hot Valve (Red)
CN2
1 AC Pwr (L) (Blk)
2 Pwr Sw (Yel)
3 Valves Common, Lock Sw (Gry)
CN1
1 Reactor Connector Port (Red)
2 Reactor Connector Port (Red)
RY4 Steam Heater Relay
1 (Wht)
2 (Blk)
RY1 Power Relay
1 (Blu)
2 (Wht)
RY2 Washer Heater Relay
1 (Blk)
2 (Red)
CN5
1 Motor Pwr U Phase (Blu)
2 Motor Pwr V Phase (Wht)
3 Motor Pwr W Phase (Red
CN6 (Hull Sensor)
1 +5 vdc (Pnk)
2 Sensor Signal (Red)
3 Sensor Signal (Blu)
4 Ground (Org)
CN8 (Display Connector)
1 T Comm Port (Blu)
2 R Comm Port (Wht)
3 Rest Signal (Yel)
4 Ground (Org)
5 +5 vdc (Pnk)
6 +15 vdc (Red)
CN7
4 Water Temp Thermistor (Yel)
5 Water Temp Thermistor Gnd (Org)
6 Water Level Sensor (Pnk)
7 Water Level Sensor (Vio)
CN4
1 Door Sw (Org)
3 Door Sw (Gry)
7 AG Sensor (Brn)
8 AG Sensor (Yel)
Water Temperature Thermistor Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN 7 Pin 4 (Yellow) and CN7 Pin 5
(Orange)
Operating voltage at Room temperature Operating Resistance at Room
Temperature (Power off) Dis-
connect CN7
4.2VDC (5VDC May indicate a connector
issue)
50-57kΩ
Door Switch Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN4 Pin 1 (Org) and CN4 Pin 3 (Gray) 25VDC Door Open, 0VDC Door Closed Operating Resistance with
power off
24kΩ
Water Level Sensor Check Test 1 Test 2
Voltage: Connector CN 7 Pin 6 (Pink) and CN7 Pin
5 (Orange) And Connector CN 7 Pin 7 (Violet) and
CN7 Pin 5 (Orange)
Resistance: Connector CN 7 Pin 6 (Pink) and CN7
Pin 7 (Violet)
Operating voltage at no water in the
drum-
Operating Resistance (Power
off)
2.5VDC Pin 6 (Pink) and Pin 7 (Violet)
22- 24Ω
Hall Sensor Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN6 Pin 4 (Orange) and Pin 2 (Red) ad-
ditionally Pin 4 (Orange) and Pin 3 (blue)
Manually spin the drum to see the volt-
age change, Power On
N/A
0Vdc or 3.75Vdc
Motor Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN5 Pin 1 (Blue), Pin 2 (White) and Pin
3 (Red)
Power Off 11.5Ω across Pins 1-2, Pins 1
-3, & Pins 2-3
N/A
A/C Power Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN 2 Pins 1 (Black) and 2 (Yellow) Power On 120VAC N/A

# tsWF438 RevG 03/21/2011 4
Door Lock Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN2 Pin 3 (Gray) and CN3 Pin 1 (Black) When Door is Locked or Unlocked
there is a pulse of 120VAC for a few
milliseconds.
With Power Off, the resistance be-
tween these pins will be between 47
- 57Ω
Door Unlock Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN 2 Pin 3 (Gray) and CN3 Pin 2
(White)
When Door is Locked or Unlocked
there is a pulse of 120VAC for a few
milliseconds.
With Power Off, the resistance be-
tween these pins will be between 47
- 57Ω
Drain Motor Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN2 Pin 3 (Gray) and CN3 Pin 3
(Violet)
120VAC with the pump On and 0VAC
with the pump off
Power Off, the resistance should be
13.9Ω
Water Valve Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN2 Pin 3 (Gray) to CN3 Pin 5 (Pink),
Pin 4 (Brown) , Pin 7 (Yellow), Pin 8 (Blue), Pin 9
(Red)
120VAC with the Valve On and 0VAC
with the Valve off
Power Off, valve resistance is from
1202Ω - 1245Ω
Heater Relay Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN2 Pin 3 (Gray) and RY3 (heater re-
lay) Pin 2 (Red)
120VAC with the Heater On and 0VAC
with the Heater off
Power Off, heater resistance is
16.6 Ω
Steam Heater Relay Check Test 1 Test 2
Connector CN2 Pin 3 (Gray) and RY4 (heater re-
lay) Pin 1 (White)
120VAC with the Heater On and 0VAC
with the Heater off
Power Off, heater resistance is
15.6 Ω
Error Type Error Mode Details
LED LCD
Water Level Sensor LE
8
Check the Hose where the sensor is connected, may be loose,
pinched, damaged or clogged. Also check the sensor it may be
disconnected or defective. The Main PCB may also be defective
Motor Drive Error or
Hall Sensor error
3E
Check the motor drive connector, it may be loose. The hall sensor
may be disconnected, loose or damaged . Check for a foreign ob-
ject inside the motor or motor damage. The stator might be loose
or damaged. The drum might be overloaded from too many
clothes or the relay or PCB might be defective.
E3
bE
25
Water Supply
Error
nF
3
Check the water valve wiring harness.
Check whether the water supply valve is clogged with foreign ma-
terial and whether water is supplied properly.
Check for reversed fill hoses
Check water temperature, if sensed as higher than 50 ˚C in the
Wool or Lingerie cycle it will create error.
Check the relays, if they operate correctly replace the Main PCB.
Fill Hoses Reversed nF1 Correct Hot/Cold hose connections
System Error SF1
SF2
SF3
Replace PCB

# tsWF438 RevG 03/21/2011 5
Error Type Error Mode Details
LED LCD
Drain Error nD
1
Check for Foreign material entering the pump or hoses.
Check to make sure the wiring harness is connected properly.
Check the water pump terminal .
Check for freezing
Power Error 2E
91
92
Make sure to check the operating voltage. (An error occurs when
under or over voltage is supplied.) Check whether a plug recepta-
cle is used. When the connecting wires are too small (extension
cord use), a momentary low voltage may drop up to 10 V
Main PBA fault (sometimes)
PF Momentary Power Failure
Communica-
tion Error
AE Check the wire connections and terminal contacts between the sub
and main PBAs.
Check for disconnected wires.
Check whether the sub PCB is short circuited because of moisture.
If the main PCB’s communication circuit is faulty, replace it.
EEPROM
Fault.
11 Go to ―EEPROM Clear Mode‖ If display shows ―FAiL‖, Replace Ma-
chine Control Board
Switch Error
(Main Relay
Error)
E2
15
Check whether either the Power switch or a tact switch (any button)
is stuck down.
Check whether the service PBA holding screws are fastened too
tight pinching the contacts
If the main PBA switching IC on/off error has occurred, replace the
main PBA.
The ―E2‖ error occurs if the main relay connections are incorrect.
Check the connections. If there is no error in the connections, re-
place the main PBA
SR
dS
22
(Before
operation)
Check the door switch and latch alignment .
Check the latch for damage
Check the wiring harness to the latch.
Check the door switch. Replace if faulty.
Check the main PBA door sensing circuit. Replace if faulty.
Finally verify he operation of the Main PCB
Door Error dL
18
(During
operation)
LO
2
(Unlock
Fail)
FL
4
(Lock Fail)

# tsWF438 RevG 03/21/2011 6
When installing a washer and dryer on the first, or second floor, do not
exceed this leg adjustment height for stability.
Foot Pad for Walking Washer, There
is one in each package, so order 4
Error Type Error Mode Details
LED LCD
Heater Error Hr
36
(Heater
Relay)
This can be a short or a wire disconnected to the heater circuit. This
can also be problem with the tub contacting the heater or if the wa-
ter in the tub is frozen or there is no water. The error is triggered by
temperatures above 145C. If the heater has no error, this occurs
because of a PBA relay malfunction. Check the wiring harness to
the heater.
An Hr error occurs if the steam heater, is faulty, replace it.
9E1 EMC Filter issue or a noise spike from an external device
Overflow error OE
E
Water is supplied continually because the water level detection
does not work. - Verify the drain is working properly, the water level
detection does not work and water is supplied continually. Verify the
water valves shut off fully. Finally check the water level sensor.
Temperature
Sensor Error
29 The washing heater temperature sensor in the tub has an error.
Check the connections for the washing heater temperature sensor
connector.
Unbalance
Error
dC
10
Check the type of laundry. Check whether it may cause an unbal-
anced situation.- Educate the consumer in this case, to press
pause, reposition the load or remove a few items. Press start to
continue and complete the wash cycle.
Silver Care Kit
(Silver Care
PCB) Failure.
7E Check Silver Care PCB ,Main PCB & Wire-harness
Mems or Har-
ness Failure
8E Check MEMS PCB ,Main PCB & Wire-harness
Foaming
Detected
SUdS
Sd
This occurs when too much foaming is detected. It is also displayed
while foaming is removed. When the removal is finished, the normal
cycle proceeds. (This is one of the normal operations. It is an error
for preventing non-sensing faults.)
Check whether the washing machine is level to the floor with respect to the original position of the washing machine prior
to service. Doing this now will reduce the need for a redo call and customer dissatisfaction.
✔ Vibrations can shorten the lifetime of the product.

# tsWF438 RevG 03/21/2011 7
Pre Wash
Main Wash Softener
Bleach
Path #2
Path #1
Path #3
Path #4
Path #5
V#1 V#2 V#3 V#4 V#5
MAIN(H) PRE WASH BLEACH MAIN(C) STEAM
Water valve connections for the Detergent Drawer
Laundry Touch Up Paints
TOUCH UP PAINT, BLUE ONYX DH81-11980A
TOUCH UP PAINT, IMPERIAL SILVER DH81-11981A
TOUCH UP PAINT, NEAT WHITE DH81-11982A
TOUCH UP PAINT, STRATUS GRAY DH81-11983A
TOUCH UP PAINT, TANGO RED DH81-11984A
Stacking Kit : (Model No : SK-5A/XAA)
Samsung washers and dryers can be stacked to maximize usable space.
An optional stacking kit is available for purchase from your Samsung retailer
Items Packed With Washer
BOLT-SPANER (10-13mm Wrench) DC60-40146A
ASSY HOSE WATER DC97-15691A and DC97-15692A
MANUAL-BOOK DC68-02535A
CAP-FIXER DC67-00307A HOSE-HANGER DC62-10278A
When using non-HE
detergents, or using
too much detergent
for the water hard-
ness and soil level of
the clothing, over
sudsing will occur.
When this happens
there will be leaks out
of the detergent
drawer and door.
Please advise con-
sumer of proper de-
tergent usage.
It is normal for some water to remain in
the Detergent Drawer after it completes
washing. Bleach is usually flushed out
into the tub at the beginning of the wash-
ing. Also, its compartment is washed
again during the following rinse cycle,
removing any remnants.
Location considerations
Do not install your
washer in areas where
water may freeze, since
your washer will
always maintain some
water in its water valve,
pump, and hose areas.
This can cause
damage the belts, the
pump, hoses and other
components. Operating
temperature should be
above 60°F/16°C.
NOTICE
The unit sometimes will pause during Sanitize, or Pure Cycle, wash modes and appear not to be functional. The Sani-
tize and Pure Cycle wash cycles have target temperatures to assure washer performance. If the water temperature
doesn't meet the target temperature during the wash cycle, the washer will automatically add extra time to allow the
heater to bring the water up to the programmed, or target temperature. In this stage, the displayed time will pause and
hold until the heating operation has been completed. It is at this point that the customer may feel that operation has
stopped. (The maximum added programmed time is 30 minutes)
Selecting Language
1. The ―Select the Language‖ message appears.
2. Turn the Jog Dial to select language
3. Press Signal button to select