Carbon Brushes Worn Down (Older Motors)

Sparks, weak power, and a burning smell are classic signs of a motor part that's simply worn its course.

What This Fault Looks Like

Reduced motor power, a burning smell, or sparking sounds from the motor housing.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone — it’s one of the more common washing machine faults our technicians repair across Pretoria homes.

Why This Happens

In most cases, carbon brushes naturally wear down with motor use over time, especially in older brushed motor designs.

How We Repair It

When you book a technician for this fault, we inspect brush wear, replace them with correctly sized replacements, and clean the commutator surface for proper contact.

We carry common replacement parts for most major brands, including Defy, Samsung, LG, Bosch, Whirlpool, and Hisense, so many repairs are completed in a single visit.

Should You Try to Fix This Yourself?

A quick word of caution: Some of these issues — like clearing a simple blockage — are safe for a confident homeowner to check first. Others involve electrical components or moving parts that carry real risk if handled incorrectly, and a misdiagnosis can end up costing more than the original repair would have. If you’re ever unsure, it’s worth getting a professional opinion before attempting a DIY fix.

A Final Note

This is a classic wear-and-tear repair, common in machines that have seen many years of service.

Book a Repair in Pretoria

Our technicians offer same-day, on-site repairs across Pretoria for a fixed R450 call-out fee, which is waived if you go ahead with the repair. We’ll diagnose the fault accurately, explain what’s wrong in plain terms, and give you an upfront price before any work begins.

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