Fisher & Paykel Washer Not Draining — Fault 35 / E35 Diagnosis & Fix

Common Symptoms

• Standing water remaining in the tub at the end of the wash or spin cycle
• Fault code 35 or E35 displayed on the control panel
• Lid locks and washer will not advance past the spin phase
• Washer stops mid-cycle with water in the tub
• Drain hose dripping but tub not fully emptying
• Loud humming or buzzing from drain pump area with no water movement
• Clothes soaking wet at end of cycle — water not pumped out before spin

Most Likely Causes

1. 1

   Clogged Drain Pump Filter (Most Common — Free Fix)

   Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive top-load washers (WA1068G1, WA8060G1, and similar) include a drain pump filter (also called the lint filter or pump trap) accessible at the lower front of the machine. Over time, lint, coins, hair ties, small garments, and debris accumulate in this filter and restrict pump flow below the threshold needed to drain within the cycle time window. The control board then logs Fault 35. Cleaning the pump filter resolves 50–60% of drain complaints and costs nothing.

2. 2

   Kinked or Clogged Drain Hose

   The drain hose routes from the drain pump outlet to the standpipe, laundry tub, or wall drain connection. If the hose is kinked behind the machine, compressed against the wall, or gradually clogged with lint and detergent buildup, drain performance degrades and Fault 35 / E35 fires. The standpipe insertion depth also matters: inserting the drain hose more than 6 inches into the standpipe creates a siphon effect that can cause continuous drain-and-fill cycling. Fisher & Paykel requires the standpipe height to be between 24 and 96 inches from the floor.

3. 3

   Drain Pump Motor Failure

   If the filter is clear and the hose is unobstructed but the tub still will not drain (or the pump is silent when it should be running), the drain pump motor has failed. The drain pump motor on Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive washers is a separate component from the main SmartDrive drive motor. A healthy Fisher & Paykel drain pump motor reads approximately 5–20Ω across the motor winding terminals. An OL reading (open circuit) confirms a burned motor winding and the pump assembly must be replaced. Cost: $30–$65 for the pump assembly.

4. 4

   Lid Switch / Lid Lock Failure

   Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive top-load washers require the lid to be confirmed closed and locked before advancing to the drain and spin phases. If the lid switch assembly fails (open circuit when the lid is closed), the control board cannot confirm the lid is latched and will not engage the spin or drain cycle — leaving water in the tub. Fault code 38 typically accompanies lid switch failure on classic SmartDrive models, but a marginal or intermittent lid switch can present as a drain/spin fault. Test the lid switch with a multimeter in continuity mode.

5. 5

   Drain Pump Wiring Harness or Control Board

   If the drain pump motor tests within resistance spec but still does not run, the fault may be in the pump wiring harness (disconnected, corroded, or broken wire) or the main control board. The control board sends an activation signal to the pump relay; if the relay on the board is failed open, the pump never receives power. Control board faults on Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive washers are less common than mechanical pump or filter faults — exhaust all mechanical causes before condemning the board.

Quick DIY Checks

1. 1SAFETY FIRST — Unplug the Fisher & Paykel washer from the wall outlet before accessing the drain pump filter, pump motor, or lid switch. Wait 2 minutes before touching the SmartDrive motor control board or any board component — capacitors on the motor control board retain a charge briefly after power is removed. If the lid is locked by Fault 35, wait 3 minutes after unplugging — the lid lock solenoid will mechanically release once board power is fully discharged. Never force the lid open.
2. 2DRAIN PUMP FILTER CLEANING (START HERE — ALWAYS) — Locate the drain pump filter access panel at the lower-front corner of the machine (WA1068G1 and WA8060G1 have a removable front lower panel secured by press tabs or 1–2 screws). Place old towels and a shallow pan directly beneath the filter cap — 1–4 liters of water will drain when the cap is loosened. Slowly turn the filter cap counterclockwise until water begins to flow — control the flow rate by turning slowly. Once water has drained, fully remove the filter cap and pull out the filter element. Clear all lint, hair, coins, fabric, and debris from the filter, the cap threads, and the pump cavity. Inspect the pump impeller (visible through the filter port) — it should spin freely with no grinding or stiff spots. Reinstall the filter cap clockwise until firm. Run a short spin cycle and check whether draining is restored.
3. 3DRAIN HOSE INSPECTION — Pull the washer 2–3 feet from the wall and inspect the drain hose at the rear of the machine. Look for: kinks, sharp bends, compression from adjacent cabinetry, or hose collapsed flat. Straighten any kinks by hand. Confirm the standpipe insertion depth does not exceed 6 inches — if the hose is inserted deeply into the standpipe, pull it out until only 4–5 inches are inside. Confirm the top of the standpipe is between 24 and 96 inches from the floor. If the drain connects to a laundry tub, check the tub drain for clogs. If accessible, disconnect the drain hose from the pump and blow through it or flush with water from a garden hose to confirm it is clear.

Repair vs Replace

Recommended Tools & Parts

• Fisher & Paykel Drain Pump Assembly

  Replacement drain pump motor and housing for Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive top-load washers — resolves Fault 35 / E35 drain pump fault. Test existing pump resistance first (5–20Ω; OL = replace). Clean the pump filter before condemning the motor. Verify by full model number (WA1068G1, WA8060G1, WA3927G1, WA8560G1) from the label inside the washer lid.

  $30–$65

  Buy on Amazon →

• Fisher & Paykel Lid Switch Assembly

  Replacement lid switch assembly for Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive top-load washers — resolves lid switch faults and drain/spin failures caused by the washer not detecting a closed lid. Test continuity with lid closed before ordering (should show continuity; OL = replace). Verify by model number.

  $15–$35

  Buy on Amazon →

• Main Control Board (PCB)

  Replacement main control board for Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive washers — only consider after confirming the pump motor and lid switch both test within spec but the pump still does not receive an activation signal. Verify by full model AND serial number — Fisher & Paykel ships multiple board revisions per model.

  $80–$200

  Buy on Amazon →

• Digital Multimeter

  Required for testing drain pump motor winding resistance (5–20Ω spec) and lid switch continuity. Both continuity and Ω resistance modes needed for SmartDrive drain fault diagnosis.

  $15–$35

  Buy on Amazon →

Links are Amazon affiliate links (tag: fixitfastai-20). Prices are estimates.

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