Fisher & Paykel Washer 40 Error Code: Bowl Disengage

Smartdrive washers test the basket at certain points and expect it to be engaged. If the Motor Controller finds it is not engaged while the pressure sensor reports an empty tub, it retries for a full 2 minutes and then raises code 40, a bowl disengage fault. The code is documented for Phases 1 to 6.

Suds and detergent

Among the causes the manual lists is excessive suds, which can prevent the basket from rotating. Of everything in the entry, that is the item an owner can think about without opening the washer, because the quantity of detergent is something to review. All the rest requires access to the inside of the machine.

The manual’s checks, in sequence

1. Clothing or other foreign objects that keep the clutch from re-engaging.
2. With no water left in the machine, a clutch disassembly procedure, together with an inspection of the spline drive.
3. The pressure tube, which should still be attached and free of kinks.
4. As the final step, a new Motor Controller module (on Phase 1 that module is the Display Module).

The manual looks at the clutch and the tube before anything else. If both look right, it suspects the pressure sensor inside the Motor Controller module.

Other codes in the same family

• Code 47 is the basket disengage variant for Phases 2 and 3, where the washer settled on no tub status at all for two minutes.
• Code 56 carries a similar idea for the later Phases 4 to 6.
• Code 160 is the opposite situation: the basket is engaged while the washer agitates.

Washer repair for code 40 in Los Angeles

Los Angeles callers can use (310) 872-1939 for a Fisher & Paykel washer showing 40. It helps to say roughly how much detergent went into the load.

Source: Fisher & Paykel Smartdrive washer service manual 517766 (March 2003), section 19, Detailed Fault Codes