Aqualisa Quartz Electric Shower Fault - Identify Part

Kippo · Mar 12, 2019

Hi All

I have an issue with my shower and I suspect it's the solenoid.
The original fault is that the shower either wouldn't switch on at all, or it very briefly powers on, see video

I removed the front panel and as you can see below, manually pressing the plastic arm starts the water flowing, and it is heated too (i know the danger of using the shower in that state whilst live) so there is no issue with power reaching the unit.

I suspect that the faulty part is the solenoid, but is the part (arrowed below) actually the solenoid, as it doesn't look like other I've seen?

And if so where can i purchase a replacement? P/N FW343A1P1

Many thanks

telectrix · Mar 28, 2019

static zap said:
It has a computerised brain ,if it functions at all .(Then a decision is being made Right or WRONG ) Safety is king.
Is you kettle well furred up in your area ?

no but his cat is.

Midwest · Mar 28, 2019

Ohh dear, bored tonight are we.

telectrix · Mar 28, 2019

soaps time for 'er indoors. i already seen tonight's episodes of car sos and aircrash investigation. bloody repeats.

Wilko · Mar 28, 2019

telectrix said:
soaps time for 'er indoors. i already seen tonight's episodes of car sos and aircrash investigation. bloody repeats.

I can't fix the shower, but I've an idea for TV ... check out E4 series called Deutschland 83 and then follow up with D 86. Set in Cold War times, in German with all my Stasi mates (sarcasm alert).

123 · Mar 29, 2019

Have you tried to find parts for this shower? With Aqualisa you may well find it's very limited, could well have a total spare parts list of the Quartz is limited to the engine of the shower (the main bit) or the cover. And no other parts in between.

I'd contact the manufacturer, giving them the details you have here. They should be able to tell you better what is wrong, and what spare parts are available to solve it.

Timbo · Mar 30, 2019

I had this problem with a customer, replacement shower engine solved it.

Have a look on here:
Aqualisa Quartz Electric Shower Spares | AQUAL-PARENT-53 - https://www.showerdoc.com/aqualisa-quartz-electric-shower-spares

Or here:
Aqualisa Quartz Electric - http://www.showerreplacementparts.co.uk/shower-spares/aqualisa/electric-showers/aqualisa-quartz-electric
Might be cheaper.

static zap · Mar 30, 2019

Nice looking button , but not sure I would spend that much to see if it was that ONE illusive part !

Kippo · Apr 11, 2019

Midwest said:
Have you rung the manufactures help line?

Yer I've spoken to them, they simply recommended replacing the engine. As I have no documentation for the device so I have no serial number. The property was a new build about 5 years ago and there was no manuals or receipt handed over (I have them all for the dishwasher etc). Aqualisa couldn't find a registration in their db for the address so it's not been registered with them.

Kippo · Apr 11, 2019

Midwest said:
Have you rung the manufactures help line?

Yer I've spoken to them, they simply recommended replacing the engine. As I have no documentation for the device so I have no serial number. The property was a new build about 5 years ago and there was no manuals or receipt handed over (I have them all for the dishwasher etc). Aqualisa couldn't find a registration in their db for the address so it's not been registered with them.

Kippo · Apr 11, 2019

static zap said:
It has a computerised brain ,if it functions at all .(Then a decision is being made Right or WRONG ) Safety is king.
Is you kettle well furred up in your area ?

No, we're in a 'Moderately Soft' water area according to Northumbria Water

static zap · Apr 11, 2019

Kippo said:
.... 'Moderately Soft' ...

Was thinking water having a hard time getting thru ..
but probably only true in hard water area..
Not your case !

nik001 · Feb 23, 2020

Kippo said:
No, we're in a 'Moderately Soft' water area according to Northumbria Water

static zap said:
Was thinking water having a hard time getting thru ..
but probably only true in hard water area..
Not your case !

Hi OP

How did you resolve the problem? I have got the same problem with mine.

radiohead · Feb 23, 2020

nik001 said:
Hi OP

How did you resolve the problem? I have got the same problem with mine.

Have a look at the small PCB behind the start button in the cover. You may see a small black patch of thermal damage. This is a common fault with these showers, the symptom being the thing starts but cuts off immediately. Unfortunately Aqualisa only supply either complete new covers or the complete engine. Both cost around a hundred quid.
I now avoid Aqualisa quartz electric showers, unreliable and expensive to repair.

robbttf · Jun 3, 2020

radiohead said:
Have a look at the small PCB behind the start button in the cover. You may see a small black patch of thermal damage. This is a common fault with these showers, the symptom being the thing starts but cuts off immediately. Unfortunately Aqualisa only supply either complete new covers or the complete engine. Both cost around a hundred quid.
I now avoid Aqualisa quartz electric showers, unreliable and expensive to repair.

I was having exactly the same issue as OP with my shower - opened up for front panel and PCB had obvious brown/black burns - thank you for this advice, I can now buy a replacement front cover instead of a whole new unit

GeoMowat · Jul 12, 2020

Thanks to radiohead and robttf for the extra information, but I wonder what the answer for Kippo was?
I have been experiencing the same problem with a friend's Aqualisa Quartz that is only just out of warrantee.