What E35 actually means
The machine thinks there is too much water in the drum, so it has stopped the cycle, locked the door and run the drain pump.
Electrolux washers use an electronic pressure sensor to judge the water level. If that sensor reports the safety (overload) level for more than about 15 seconds, the control board sets E35, pauses the cycle and runs the drain pump until the level drops back down \u2014 or for five minutes if it never does. The door stays locked while this is happening, and the alarm won't clear by turning the machine off; the current programme has to be reset.
What usually causes it
- A water inlet valve leaking water through even when the machine isn't filling
- The pressure sensor itself reading wrongly, so the water level looks higher than it is
- A leaking or split air trap system \u2014 the small chamber and hose that let the sensor read the level
- Blocked or restricted drain, so water genuinely isn't leaving the drum
- Damaged wiring to the sensor, or a faulty main control board
What you can safely check yourself
Work through these in order. Anything beyond this — panels off, testing parts, anything to do with the wiring — is an engineer's job, and not one to attempt with the machine plugged in.
- Reset the programme rather than only switching the machine off \u2014 E35 will not clear at the power switch.
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked, trapped behind the machine or pushed too far into the standpipe.
- Clean the pump filter and make sure the drum empties freely (drain any water off first via the filter drain, with a tray to hand).
- Note whether water keeps trickling into the drum when the machine is idle \u2014 that points at an inlet valve and is worth telling the engineer.
When to call someone
This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire, and it's £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it — £84 in total if it's repaired on the visit with no parts needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.
Outside our area? The explanation above still stands — take it to a local engineer and tell them the code. Knowing it saves them time and you money.
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