The problem with the machine is the brushes in the motor. They wear out and loose contact with the commutator on the armature causing an open circuit. The motor is constantly changing speed (rpm) and reversing its direction. This is the second time this has happened to me. The first set lasted approx 10 years the second set about 5. The brushes are the weak link in the system. It takes about 20 minutes to remove the motor from the machine. you need a 13mm wrench and 13mm 3/8 dr socket. There are two philips screws on each brusholder and one wire. I takes longer to R an R the motor than replace the brushes. There are brushes available on ebay. I took a close look studied the pictures and ordered what I thought was a match, and got the right ones. there are several different brushes for different machines and a lot of manufactures use the same motor. The link attached is for the brushes that fit my w 6221 2001 vintage. If you check ebay europe you can find them cheaper but shipping is longer about 2wks. Most domestic parts suppliers charge up to 72.00 per brush I ordered 4 thinking i was getting two pair and got 4 pair and paid 15 lbs. for all delivered. I got mine on Ebay. Check out Andy Appliancehelp@ntworld.com Hope this helps Here is a link that might be useful: Asko Brushes

Sorry sshrivastava, I have been checking back for responses on another post in this forum, but not this one. Thanks for your tips. I have just received my box of Bi-O-Kleen over the weekend and have done maybe 4 loads of laundry so far. My problem now is that the detergent doesn't completely rinse out of the dispenser and the Asko manual doesn't recommend that you use any detergent that doesn't completely rinse out. So I posted a question and someone responded about residual moisture in the drawer and drying it out before putting in the powder. I still have some clumpy powder, but it seems to be getting less. I have increased the temperature for my washes and now wash my daughter's clothes on the normal cycle at 120 degrees and mine and my husbands clothes at 140. The towels and sheets usually get a 160 or 175 degree washing. There aren't a lot of stains on the adult clothes (colors anyway) to notice a huge difference, so I'm really waiting to see how the whites come out after a couple of washes with the Bi-O-Kleen premium! Thanks for all of your tips!

Here's another option if your ASKO is as old as mine (early 90s?): The "controller" function is something that is coordinated by a gizmo that's sort of like an old player piano roll. It's a drum about the size of TP inner cardboard roll with a lot of protrusions. As it turns around its axis the little tabs connect with other little tabs to mechanically turn off this or that internal function, like spins, fills, pauses and heating segments. Mine became worn and started to misbehave on the counterclockwise drum rotation segments (wouldn't rotate just sat there until the it was programmed to reverse, when it did just fine.) My DH stuck his little electrical testing meter prongs here and there and determined that it wasn't actually any of the individual motors, heaters, pumps, etc. Instead it was the central control mechanism where little tabs had broken or worn off and therefore didn't activate what they should at the correct points in the cycle. This controller-roller thing is located in the top of the machine in the front left corner and was pretty easy to replace once we had the correct part. And once replaced all was well again in my world. I think it cost more than $50, but less than $125 for the part, so not too troubling. You just had to take off the back cover and winkle off the top (takes some doing, until you see how). Then there's your (possibly) defective controller right on top, ready to be fixed. Since your heating problem is intermittent, I'd guess it's not the actual element, but something in the chain of its sensors or controls. That's why I'd check on the "controller". You can tell if you have the same sort of mechanical system as mine this way: turn your selection dial to any cycle position (with door closed, of course), wait a minute then advance it forward (clockwise) to any other position. Do you hear a series of mechanical clicks and snaps? That's the roller thing catching up with the new point selected on the dial. If you hear that, you've got a mechanical machine, and probably one of these controlers like mine. I'm sure my DH could help talk yours through a check or repair. BTW, it is possible to operate the machine with top or back off (though with both off the spins are a bit wild!) If you have no children or pets that could get in, this a way to observe the cycle while running which can be informative, though noisy.

Asko owner for 21 years. designed into a kitchen, as in Europe. They are quieter due to being used in kitchen, I find I can do a king size set of sheets, with 6 pillow cases quite fine. I dry my sheets separately since doing together has me doing another period. The high rpm of spins I like, has clothes dryer before drying. And some nice shorter cycles, a good cold water one, again so quiet you can eat in the same room and hear one another. I use a lot less soap powder , 1 Tablespoon per load, always the HE of any brand. I add 1 Tablespoon of Oxi-Clean also. some softener also. Very clean clothes. The looks, Great. mine are white, have it next to a Kitchen -Aid, white and wood cabinets. Now the down side. Replaced the set about 7 years ago, I think we just wore them out ! how 2 people need to wash so much. We have had several niggling things with the newer set, dryer is not out in the middle of the floor, belt wore out. Waiting for part. Ours are trouble because we designed them under a counter that supports a china cabinet, always needing to be unloaded because once the units are out there is no support for the above cabinet when fully loaded. In the process of redoing the bathroom to hold the Asko's, easier access if needed to work on. Note: I had a Maytag set (regular size) for 24 years with very little trouble. So, if they are not built in to make them difficult to extract and work on, they are really good looking.