Continental Girbau Washer Error Code ALn / VAR 4: Drum Motor Overheat
ALn / VAR 4 (also shown as U-04) means the drum motor is overheating and its klixon overload protectors are open. Let the washer cool down; the klixons should close again by themselves. If the alarm returns, a technician needs to find out why the motor is getting hot.
High: the motor protection has stopped the washer and it will not run reliably until the cause is found.
- Code
- ALn / VAR 4 (U-04)
- Maker
- Continental Girbau
- Equipment
- Coin & card laundry
- Applies to
- E-Series washer-extractors with Logi / LogiPro / Vended control
What does Continental Girbau error code ALn / VAR 4 mean?
Inside the drum motor are small thermal switches called klixons. They open when the motor winding gets too hot and close again once it has cooled. The E-Series control watches those switches, and when they are open it stops the cycle and shows ALn / VAR 4, or ALn / U-04. The manual describes the condition as an overheat in the drum motor and notes that the klixons should close again when the motor cools, so the first sign of the cause is whether the alarm comes back after a rest. It lists three causes: the basket or motor binding, bad motor bearings and debris in the drain. Its checks are the basket for restriction, the drain valve and pump, a clean inverter and a working fan, the inverter dip switches, motor bearings with the belt off, motor windings and amp draw, and the motor harness. A technician can also use Test Mode with the motor disconnected and klixons jumped to see whether the problem sits in the control or the motor.
Affected models and control systems
Continental Girbau E-Series washer-extractors with Logi, LogiPro or Vended control, sheet names EH020, EM025, EH060, RMG055 and smaller. VAR 4 and U-04 are listed on the same row.
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
- ALn / VAR 4 or U-04 on the display
- Motor casing hot to the touch after the cycle stops
- Washer restarts after a cooling period, then alarms again
Possible causes
Listed in Continental Girbau's documentation
- Basket or motor binding
- Bad motor bearings
- Debris in the drain
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code ALn / VAR 4 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Heavy loads run back to back, giving the motor no time to cool
- Lint packed around the motor housing blocking cooling air
- Belt tension too high after a recent belt change
Safe checks before calling for service
- Press stop, let the drum stop fully and leave the washer off for at least 30 minutes so the klixons can close.
- Check that the area around the machine is clear and that nothing blocks airflow.
- Restart with a smaller load and see whether the alarm returns.
- Note the load size, how many cycles ran before the alarm and whether the motor felt hot.
How a technician diagnoses error code ALn / VAR 4
- Confirm the alarm and whether the klixons are open when the alarm shows.
- Check the basket for restriction and the drain valve and pump for debris.
- Inspect the inverter for lint and test the fan, then verify the dip switches.
- Remove the belt and turn the motor by hand for bearing drag.
- Measure windings and amp draw and inspect the motor harness.
- Run Test Mode with the motor disconnected and klixons jumped to isolate the problem.
- Winding and amp-draw testing is done on live 208-240 V or higher circuits.
- Jumping the klixons for Test Mode removes the motor's own protection, so it must be done by a technician who watches temperature.
- Bearings and belt work involve moving parts and heavy drum assemblies.
How error code ALn / VAR 4 differs from similar codes
VAR 3 is an overcurrent trip. VAR 4 is a thermal alarm from the motor switches, and it normally clears when the motor cools.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- Continental Girbau owner support
- Edition
- 3/18/24
- Models / control
- E-Series washer-extractors with Logi / LogiPro / Vended control
- Section
- Alarm table, p.1-6
- 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 Continental Girbau coin & card laundry error codes
How long should I wait before trying again?
Give it enough time for the motor to feel cool to the touch, about half an hour is a sensible wait. The klixons should close by themselves.
Is it safe to keep restarting the washer?
No. Repeated restarts on a hot motor can damage the windings. If it overheats again, stop and have it checked.
Does this mean the motor is dead?
Not necessarily. A tight belt, bad bearings or a blocked drain can overheat a healthy motor.
Need help with Continental Girbau error code ALn / VAR 4?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.