What E66 actually means
The machine has spotted a mismatch in the switching that feeds the water heater, so it has shut the wash down rather than risk heating when it shouldn't.
On these Electrolux EWM1000 plus machines, the control board watches a relay (K3) that switches power to the heating element, and cross-checks it against an anti-boiling pressure switch that confirms there is enough water in the tub. If what the relay is doing doesn't agree with what that switch is reporting, the board flags E66, drains and blocks the cycle. It normally shows up around the point the wash should start heating, so the load comes out wet and cold.
What usually causes it
- Faulty anti-boiling pressure switch
- Damaged or loose wiring to the heater circuit
- Failed heating relay on the main control board
- Faulty heating element affecting the circuit
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.
- Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power up and try a short cold wash — if it clears, note whether it returns as soon as heating should begin.
- Check the drain hose isn't kinked or pushed too far into the standpipe, as poor drainage can upset water level readings.
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.
Other Electrolux washing machine codes
- Electrolux C02 — The machine isn't getting water into the main wash compartme…
- Electrolux C11 — C11 isn't a fault at all — it's the engineer's diagnostic me…
- Electrolux E00 — E00 isn't a fault \u2014 it's the machine telling you no err…
- Electrolux E10 — The machine isn't getting water in fast enough, so it has pa…
- Electrolux E11 — The machine hasn't taken in enough water in the time allowed…
- Electrolux E12 — The machine tried to take in water during the drying part of…
- Electrolux E13 — The machine has had to keep topping itself up with water dur…
- Electrolux E20 — The machine can't get the water out, and Electrolux flags it…