Grundig E13 washing machine: what it means & what to check

Stop using it for now. Carrying on with this fault risks further damage or a leak. Switch it off at the wall until it has been looked at.

What E13 actually means

The control board has lost communication with the washing machine's motor, so the drum won't be driven and the cycle stops.

Grundig machines with a brushless (BLAC) motor rely on a communication cable between the main control card and the motor. When that link goes open circuit, the board can no longer send or receive signals from the motor, so it abandons the programme rather than run blind. Typical symptoms are a load left wet and unwashed, the drum not turning at all, or a cycle that cuts out part way through with poor wash results.

What E13 looks like on a Grundig washing machine

Most people find this page having searched for what the machine is doing rather than the code itself. On a Grundig washing machine, E13 usually shows up as one or more of these:

Drum not turning
Won't spin
Hums or buzzes but nothing moves
Turns one way only
Very noisy on spin
Banging or knocking
Moving across the floor
Load left soaking wet because it won't spin up

Recognise any of those? That is this fault, and the rest of this page explains what causes it and what you can check yourself.

What usually causes it

The motor communication cable has worked loose at one of its plugs
A broken or chafed wire in that cable, often from drum vibration
The plug at the control card end (the KN09 socket) not seated properly
A fault in the motor's electronics
A failed 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.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a short programme — occasionally the code clears if it was a one-off communication glitch
Check the machine isn't rocking or walking across the floor, as heavy vibration is what loosens these connections in the first place

Which Grundig models show E13

E13 means the same thing on all 4 of these models. If yours is not listed, the explanation above still applies — the code is set by the control board, not the model number.

7129141100 · 7129141400 · 7134541300 · 7142641100

Common questions about Grundig E13

What does E13 mean on a Grundig washing machine?

The control board has lost communication with the washing machine's motor, so the drum won't be driven and the cycle stops. Grundig machines with a brushless (BLAC) motor rely on a communication cable between the main control card and the motor. When that link goes open circuit, the board can no longer send or receive signals from the motor, so it abandons the programme rather than run blind. Typical symptoms are a load left wet and unwashed, the drum not turning at all, or a cycle that cuts out part way through with poor wash results.

Can I fix Grundig E13 myself?

There are 2 checks you can safely do yourself first.

Turn the machine off at the wall for a minute, then power it back up and start a short programme — occasionally the code clears if it was a one-off communication glitch.
Check the machine isn't rocking or walking across the floor, as heavy vibration is what loosens these connections in the first place.

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried them.

How much does it cost to repair Grundig E13?

£66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Tried the checks and it's still showing E13?

This one usually needs an engineer once you have tried the checks above. Then it wants someone who can open it up.

What it costs, before you call: the price is the same whatever the fault turns out to be — £66 including VAT for an engineer to come out and diagnose it, or £84 in total including VAT if it is put right on the visit and no parts are needed. Any parts needed are quoted on site before we fit them — you decide. Every repair carries a 90-day workmanship guarantee.

Our own engineers, not a call centre. We cover Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire — most washing machine faults are seen same day or next day.

Call 0115 648 0929 Book online — postcode and number is all we need

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 Grundig washing machine codes

All Grundig fault codes and repairs →

What this looks like when it happens

Repairs we cover near you

Written by the engineers at ASAP Repairs, 0115 648 0929. We repair these machines for a living in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Grundig E13 error — washing machine