Continental Girbau Washer Error Code ALn / VAR 8 and VAR 9: Inverter Alarms
ALn / VAR 8 is an unidentified inverter failure, and ALn / VAR 9 is a mismatch between the inverter and the microprocessor. They are two different alarms. Power the washer off for a minute and restart once, then have a technician check the belt for VAR 8 or the ID plug and settings for VAR 9.
High: both alarms keep the drum from running until the inverter issue is resolved.
- Code
- ALn / VAR 8 (unidentified inverter failure); ALn / VAR 9 (inverter/microprocessor incompatibility)
- 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 8 mean?
These two alarms share a row but mean different things. VAR 8 appears when the inverter detects an error it cannot name, an unidentified inverter failure. The manual's advice is practical: check the motor discharge resistor and earth ground (ST-112), look for a slipping belt and replace it if needed, and consider a bad inverter. VAR 9 says the inverter and microprocessor do not match, which also appears as V-12. The control checks at start-up that the ID plug or jumper, the inverter model, the firmware and the stored parameters agree with each other. If they do not, the control refuses to run the drive and displays ALn / VAR 9. The manual calls for verifying the correct jumper on the microprocessor, the correct inverter and microprocessor, the correct firmware, and downloading and verifying the inverter parameters. The listed causes are a wrong ID plug or jumper and an incorrect inverter installed.
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 9 matches V-12 on the same sheet.
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 8 or VAR 9 on the display
- Drum does not run or runs and then stops
- VAR 9 often appears right after a board or inverter replacement
Possible causes
Listed in Continental Girbau's documentation
- Wrong ID plug or jumper
- Incorrect inverter installed
Other likely causes — what usually sits behind error code ALn / VAR 8 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Belt that has glazed or stretched and slips under load (VAR 8)
- Inverter taken from a different washer model
- Firmware on the microprocessor not matching the inverter parameters after a board swap
Safe checks before calling for service
- Press stop and wait until the drum has stopped turning.
- Turn the washer off for one minute, restart and see which of VAR 8 or VAR 9 appears.
- If a part was recently replaced, tell the technician which one and where it came from.
- Do not open panels. Note the exact alarm text, since VAR 8 and VAR 9 need different service.
How a technician diagnoses error code ALn / VAR 8
- Read the alarm and decide whether it is VAR 8 or VAR 9.
- For VAR 8, check the discharge resistor and earth, inspect the belt for slip and replace it if worn.
- For VAR 9, verify the jumper on the microprocessor and that the inverter and microprocessor are the right pair.
- Check the firmware version and download and verify the inverter parameters.
- Replace the inverter only if VAR 8 continues after the belt and earth checks.
- Parameter downloads need the maker's service tool and the exact settings for this washer model.
- Changing an ID plug or inverter on the wrong model can leave the drive unable to run.
- Earth and discharge resistor checks involve stored charge and live circuits.
How error code ALn / VAR 8 differs from similar codes
VAR 8 is an unnamed inverter failure, while VAR 9 (and V-12) is an equipment match problem. They are not the same alarm.
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
Are VAR 8 and VAR 9 the same?
No. VAR 8 is an unidentified inverter failure, and VAR 9 is a wrong ID plug or an inverter and microprocessor mismatch.
Why did VAR 9 appear after a repair?
Usually because the new inverter, board or jumper does not match the washer. The settings and parts have to be matched.
Could a belt cause VAR 8?
The manual lists a slipping belt among the checks, so yes, it can be involved.
Need help with Continental Girbau error code ALn / VAR 8?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.