How To Fix Whirlpool Cabrio Washer Error Code F51

The Cabrio is a great washing machine with a history of reliability, but sometimes even the best tools malfunction and can result in a bad day of hand-scrubbing for you. Thankfully, error codes like the F51 exist and are a machine’s way of telling you what the issue is. This error code is generated by the machine when it detects a wiring problem or the sensor is obstructed by any object that might halt the rotor movement. 

Time to check if that missing penny is causing the breakdown, or if one of your towels has its corner stuck between the basket and the rotor. Sometimes, it is just a digital malfunction and can be undone by simply re-plugging the machine.

The following models are covered in this guide:

2LA5700XMW0

2LA5700XMW1

2LSR5233BN0

2LSR5233BQ1

2LSR5233BW0

2LSR5233BZ1

LSC8244EQ0

LSC8244EQ1

LSC8244EZ0

LSC8244EZ1

LSR6132EQ0

LSR6132EZ0

LSR7233EQ0

LSR7233EW0

LSR7233EZ0

LSR8233EQ0

LSR8233EZ0

LSR8244EQ0

LSR8244EQ1

LSR8244EZ0

LSR8244EZ1

1. Unloading Over-laden Laundry

There is a good chance that there is a towel or a piece of cloth stuck between the rotor and the basket housing, or the belt itself. One of the first measures you should take is to physically inspect the machine and take out any overloaded laundry you might have in there. Overloaded laundry results in extra weight and weight can bog down a motor which might tell the machine that there is an obstruction.

Simply unload the machine to leave just a few clothes remaining in the basket, if it runs, your bad day just got reversed and you can enjoy your laundry. If it still doesn’t move and gives you an error code, remove all the laundry from the basket and try to turn the drum by hand. If it is proving difficult to move it by hand, you definitely have something stuck down there. It may be a coin, cloth or simple corrosion.

2. Physical Inspection

If removing laundry and reducing weight on the basket didn’t solve your problem, then you might have that penny stuck somewhere in the rotor or the basket and tub. All you have to do to remove whatever is causing the obstruction out is to simply reach in with your hand and slide it along all the crevices and look for foreign objects. You can also tilt the machine a little bit to the side and hear rattling sounds which might indicate there is a coin in there. If you find one, pull it out and run the machine. If it runs, it’s your lucky day! If not however, you can proceed to the next step mentioned below. 

One piece of advice: Check for coins and things in your pockets before starting your load of laundry to avoid these issues in the future. 

Take a moment and consider the possibility of dust and excessive sand, particularly if you had a day out to the beach. To investigate this possibility, you would have to take the drum unit out of the washer manually and clean up any build-up of minerals or dust. Consult your manual to address the dismantling procedures properly and then DIY it. 

Physically inspecting the washer also means you can check all of the wiring and external connections to the machine. It is most probable that the motor is obstructed due to a capacitor undercharge which is caused by faulty power cables and general power fluctuations in the house. You can also physically check the running cables and the power board for any malfunction. Do this by plugging any other electric appliance to the power board and if it works correctly, you can check the cable afterwards. If both of the entities work correctly, you can proceed to the next step. 

3. Reset the Washer

If none of the physical measures mentioned above made your day better, then it is quite likely that the error code is produced digitally due to some error in the software or maybe some incompatible settings. Luckily, resetting the entire washer returns the system to its default settings, so your machine will act like it was made a few seconds ago. This will get rid of all technical and digital errors, including hopefully error code F51 and allow you to do laundry in peace.

Resetting the machine discharges the capacitors and if that’s the cause of the rotor position error, it will be fixed immediately. If not, the machine’s internals may be fried and you might need to get that looked at by a professional washing machine man!

4. Check the Rotor 

If none of the previous steps have worked, then it is likely that the error lies in the physical component of the rotor. To inspect it, you can follow the guide below.

1. Turn off your machine and unplug the cables and water pipes to avoid electric shocks.
2. Tilt the machine slowly and lay it on its side.
3. Open the manual, locate the side cover and open it with the help of a screwdriver. (Match the sizes of the screw heads with your driver for a quick unscrewing experience)
4. Once opened, inspect the motor that turns the washer unit, and check it for any burning or any other visible physical damage.
5. Locate the rotor bolt (it holds the rotor in place), if it is loose, then tighten it with the help of a ¼ Allen key.
6. Retrace your steps and close up the side panels correctly.
7. Raise and move the machine to its original location, reset it and try running it again. 

The F51 error code originates from obstruction with the rotor, where it may be facing a problem in turning or starting/stopping properly. It is often caused by extensive sand/dirt and other foreign objects which get lodged in between the rotor crevices. 

The above-mentioned measures are designed to ensure the workability of the machine and are measures that can be done by hand and at home. If none of the fixes work for you then it would be best to call the manufacturer or have a handyman sort it out.