Wascomat Washer Error Code 13: No Motor Comm.
Code 13 means the CPU board cannot communicate with the motor control over the communication cable. Switch the washer off and on once. If the code remains, the motor control supply, its protection cable fuses or the communication cable need testing by a technician.
High: the drum cannot run without motor communication, so the washer stops until it is repaired.
What does Wascomat error code 13 mean?
The Compass control has two parts that talk to each other. The CPU board runs the program, and the motor control drives the drum motor. They exchange information over a communication cable. If the CPU board gets no reply from the motor control, it cannot start or monitor the motor, so it stops and displays ERROR 013 / NO MOTOR COMM. The manual lists no individual causes, but its steps show where the problem can sit. The motor control may have lost its power. The fuses in the Protection Cable may have blown, and if a part in that cable is damaged the cable is replaced. The indicator LED on the motor control shows its state, and the communication cable itself is tested lead by lead.
Affected models and control systems
Wascomat washer-extractors W465H-W4300H, W475S-W4330S and W475N-W4330N with the Compass Control.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- ERROR 013 / NO MOTOR COMM. Appears and the drum will not turn
- The washer powers up and the display works but nothing moves
- The code appears right after power-up or after a power surge
- The cycle stops mid-program with no motor response
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind error code 13 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- A blown fuse in the Protection Cable after a power surge or short
- A communication cable lead that has broken or loosened where the cable flexes
Safe checks before calling for service
- Switch the machine off at the disconnect, wait about a minute, and switch it on again.
- Check whether other equipment on the same circuit lost power, which may have tripped a breaker.
- Look at whether the display is normal while the drum stays still.
- Do not open the control cabinet. Note the exact time the code appears and any recent power event, then call us.
How a technician diagnoses error code 13
- Read the code and history, and note whether it is present at power-up or appears mid-cycle.
- Check that the motor control has supply power.
- Inspect the fuses in the Protection Cable and replace the cable if a part in it is damaged.
- Read the LED on the motor control to see its state.
- Test every lead of the communication cable between the CPU board and the motor control.
- Replace the cable or motor control only after it fails the test.
- The motor control and protection cable carry mains voltage and sit inside the cabinet.
- Testing each communication lead requires disconnecting and probing the cable.
- Deciding between the cable, the fuses and the motor control itself takes measurements and the service program.
How error code 13 differs from similar codes
Code 20 I/O MCU INTERLOCK is also tied to the motor control but concerns the interlock signal, not the loss of communication.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- Wascomat owner support
- Edition
- 438 9228-61/EN, 2011.08.25
- Models / control
- Compass Control W-series washer-extractors (MCU motor control)
- Section
- Troubleshooting, Description of error codes and causes (manual pp. 108-138)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Wascomat washer error codes
Does code 13 mean the motor is broken?
Not necessarily. The control only reports that it cannot talk to the motor control, which may be a supply, fuse or cable problem.
Can a power surge cause it?
It can, because a surge can blow fuses in the protection cable. A technician checks them first.
Will turning it off and on help?
It sometimes helps if the cause was a one-time glitch, but if the code returns right away, something is physically wrong.
Need help with Wascomat error code 13?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.