What Does Error Code E59 Mean on an Electrolux Washing Machine?
Check that the wiring harness connectors between the motor and the control board are firmly seated — unplug the machine, locate the motor at the base of the drum, press each connector firmly until it clicks, then restore power to see if the error clears (takes about 10 minutes).
Fault description
Error E59 means your Electrolux washing machine has lost communication with the motor tachometer — the sensor responsible for reporting how fast the drum is spinning. Without this signal, the control board has no way to regulate motor speed, so it shuts the programme down to prevent damage.
When E59 appears, the machine will typically stop mid-cycle, often during the wash or spin phase when the motor is under load. The drum may have been turning slowly or erratically just before the fault was logged. In some cases the display shows the code immediately at start-up if the fault is persistent.
The tachometer itself is a small coil built into or mounted directly on the motor. It generates a voltage signal as the motor shaft rotates, and any break in that signal — whether from a wiring fault, a worn motor, or a failed control board — will trigger E59.
Causes
- Loose or disconnected wiring connector at the motor — The most common trigger is a wiring harness connector that has vibrated loose over time. Washing machines experience significant movement during spin cycles, and connectors at the motor can work free gradually.
- Damaged or broken tachometer coil wiring — The thin wires running from the tachometer coil to the control board can chafe against the drum casing or become pinched during installation. A break anywhere in this circuit will cut the signal entirely.
- Faulty motor tachometer (speed sensor) — The tachometer coil itself can fail due to age, heat, or physical damage. When the coil burns out or its resistance drifts outside specification, it stops producing a usable signal even if the wiring is intact.
- Worn or failing drive motor — A motor with worn carbon brushes or damaged windings may struggle to reach the speed needed to generate a tachometer signal. This is more common on older machines that have run for many years.
- Faulty main control board (PCB) — If the PCB's input circuit for the tachometer signal has failed, it will not register a signal even when the sensor is working correctly. This is less common but should be considered after other causes are ruled out.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Power cycle the machine
Switch the machine off at the mains and unplug it. Wait two full minutes, then plug back in and start a short cycle. Occasionally a transient electrical spike causes a false E59 reading, and a full power reset clears it. If the code returns, continue to the next step.
- 2
Check and reseat the motor wiring connectors
Unplug the machine and remove the back panel (usually held by three or four screws). Locate the motor at the bottom of the drum. Find the wiring harness connectors — typically one larger multi-pin connector and a smaller two-wire tachometer connector. Press each one firmly until you feel or hear it click into place. Restore power and test.
- 3
Inspect the tachometer wiring for damage
With the back panel still off, trace the thin wires from the tachometer coil (mounted on the motor body) up to the control board. Look for any visible chafing, cuts, or pinch points where the wire passes near the drum or chassis. If you find a break, the wiring loom will need to be repaired or replaced.
- 4
Test the tachometer coil resistance
Disconnect the tachometer connector and use a multimeter set to resistance (ohms). Place the probes on the two tachometer terminals. A healthy coil typically reads between 100 and 170 ohms — check your model's service data if available. A reading of zero (short circuit) or infinite resistance (open circuit) confirms a failed tachometer that needs replacing.
- 5
Inspect the motor carbon brushes
On brush-type motors, remove the two brush holders from the sides of the motor body. The brushes should be at least 15 mm long; if they are worn down to a stub or crumbling, they need replacing. Worn brushes cause poor motor performance and can indirectly affect the tachometer signal quality.
- 6
Replace the tachometer or motor if faulty
If the coil resistance test failed, order a replacement tachometer for your specific model. On many Electrolux motors the tachometer is a separate clip-on component and can be swapped without replacing the whole motor. If the motor itself is found to be faulty, a full motor replacement will be required.
- 7
Check the control board as a last resort
If all wiring, the tachometer, and the motor check out correctly but E59 persists, the fault lies with the main PCB. Visually inspect the board for burnt components or damaged solder joints around the motor input terminals. PCB replacement or professional repair is the final step.
Affected models
Select your model to see its full troubleshooting page.
When to call a service technician
Contact a service technician if you have reseated all connectors, confirmed the tachometer coil is within specification, and checked the motor brushes, but the E59 error continues to appear. At this point the fault is likely inside the motor windings or on the control board — both of which require specialist tools and component-level knowledge to diagnose safely.
You should also call a technician if you notice burning smells, scorch marks on the motor or wiring, or if the drum was making grinding or humming noises before the error appeared. These symptoms suggest the motor may have suffered internal damage that goes beyond a simple parts swap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use my washing machine while it shows error E59?
No — when E59 is active the machine will not complete a cycle because it cannot safely control drum speed. Running it repeatedly in this state risks overheating the motor. Resolve the fault before using the machine again.
How do I know if it's the tachometer or the motor that needs replacing?
Test the tachometer coil resistance with a multimeter first. If the reading is outside the normal range (roughly 100–170 ohms), replace the tachometer before considering the motor. If the tachometer tests fine but the motor is noisy, struggles to turn, or has worn brushes, the motor is the more likely culprit.
Is the tachometer the same as the motor speed sensor?
Yes — on Electrolux washing machines these terms refer to the same component. It is a small electromagnetic coil attached to the motor that generates a signal proportional to shaft speed, which the control board uses to regulate the drum.
How long does it take to replace a washing machine tachometer?
For a confident DIYer with basic tools, replacing a clip-on tachometer typically takes 30 to 45 minutes including removing the back panel and reconnecting wiring. If the tachometer is integrated into the motor body, the job takes longer and may be better suited to a service technician.
Will resetting the machine permanently clear the E59 code?
Only if the original cause was a temporary electrical glitch. If there is an underlying hardware fault — such as a loose connector, failed tachometer, or worn motor — the code will return as soon as the machine tries to run the motor again. A reset is a useful first step, but it is not a fix on its own.