Forum Thermomix

Questions Doubts and Requests => Questions? Technical Issues? The Survival Guide => Topic started by: tinaadele on February 16, 2014, 06:02:04 am

Title: Error 23
Post by: tinaadele on February 16, 2014, 06:02:04 am
Hi everyone, I have just turned my Thermomix on for the first time in around a month and it just beeps 'Error 23". I have tried unplugging and replugging to no avail. I have dinner to cook and my oven has also broken down. Help!!
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on February 16, 2014, 06:59:36 am
Tina, on page 40 of your manual it says to remove the mains plug and this will reset your Thermomix.  Try that and welcome to the forum.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on February 16, 2014, 07:14:16 am
Welcome tinaadel. How did it go? Did it fix the problem?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: tinaadele on February 16, 2014, 07:31:54 am
No, still not working  :(
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: tinaadele on February 16, 2014, 07:34:21 am
I tried unplugging and replugging. I tried different power points around the house. I tried different surfaces. I tried using my spare bowl. I waited an hour. i used a hairdryer on it. Still flashes "Er23" and beeps!  >:(
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: whisks on February 16, 2014, 08:04:57 am
give the pins under the bowl a dry - they're probably a bit damp.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: tinaadele on February 16, 2014, 10:46:25 pm
Thanks 'whisks', but yes I did do that and that is why I also tried my spare bowl (which was kept in its original plastic sleeve in the cupboard and never been used) and it still flashed and beeped 'error 23'. I've just tried again this morning and its still not working, obviously something more serious to do with the machine  :-\
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on February 16, 2014, 11:06:13 pm
Hop straight onto your consultant Tina.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: tinaadele on February 24, 2014, 09:40:09 am
Ok, so this is a warning to all!!
I contacted Thermomix direct as my consultant didn't know what it was. They said that this problem is usually due to creepy crawlies
getting into the base of the unit. They suggested putting white paper under the unit and then giving it a shake and if black dots fell
down then it was most probably a cockroach problem. I did this and although the paper was clear the technician proceeded to arrange for a courier to pick up the unit. They rang me back today to say that it was a dead cockroach in the machine and that it would cost $306 to fix and that although they would clean the control board there was no guarantee that it wouldn't fail again.
So be warned everyone. I pride myself on a spotless kitchen with clean granite top benches and minimal clutter, but no-one can guarantee that creepy crawlies won't come out at night. What I can't understand is why the machine isn't sealed against this? My toaster, kettle, clock radio etc have sat on my kitchen bench over many years and have never be afflicted.
Essentially my 18mth old, hardly used, $2000.00 machine will cost another $306 to be cleaned with no guarantees it hasn't been permanently damaged or I can tell them forget it and they will charge me a courier fee to get it back broken.
Not a happy chappy!
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: achookwoman on February 24, 2014, 10:53:54 am
Think Gert had a similar problem.  At night hers sits with powder all around it.  Sorry to hear you are also having this problem. 
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on February 24, 2014, 12:02:10 pm
Yes, here's (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=11489.105) some pictures of hers Tina.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: CreamPuff63 on February 24, 2014, 12:44:07 pm
I caught a black cockie disappearing through that hole at the back.  If I'd looked at my TM 1 sec later I wouldn't have seen it. I wonder if there is something that attracts them ie electrically, warmth, darkness?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on February 24, 2014, 12:54:01 pm
Did he come out CP or is he still in there?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: CreamPuff63 on February 24, 2014, 01:30:54 pm
No he disappeared through the hole and I chased and whacked it to heaven
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on February 25, 2014, 01:11:48 am
I honestly think that it can happen in any kitchen. However the machine base or whatever should be sealed against it. Tina do you live in the tropics like Gert?
I think as more people buy the machines this is going to happen more often. With all this hot weather I have found a couple of cockroaches in the house and even a couple of crickets.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on February 25, 2014, 02:27:25 am
I've had 2 crickets lately too Cookie.  Can you picture me in bed, sitting up with my iPad and out the corner of my eye I see something move on my browny/fawny mottled carpet.  Was it a huntsman or what was it?  It blended in nicely with the carpet so I couldn't find it at first until I again saw movement, still unable to see what it was though so out the other side of the bed to go to the kitchen to find some fly spray and back on the bed I sprayed the carpet around me.  Nothing happened until 5 minutes later I saw my new string curtain move ever so slightly and busting to go to the toilet, I was very brave going there.  From there I could see the body of what looked like a cockroach on the carpet side of the curtain (heaves a big sigh of relief that it wasn't a huntsman).  Now it may have been dead but I took my thong off and bashed it to death some more.  A couple of weeks later I could hear a cockroach at night and as soon as I turned the passage light on, it stopped.  I could not for the life of me find the blessed thing until one night I happened to go into the other bathroom down the passage and as I approached it I could tell the noise was coming from there.  Of course it once again stopped when the light went on but I eventually found it hiding behind the little rubbish bin in there.  All quiet here at No. 3 now  ;D
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: tinaadele on February 25, 2014, 05:35:07 am
I live in the suburbs of Sydney. I truly believe it is a design fault as this can happen to anyone living anywhere. The cockroaches are obviously attracted to the heat of the motor or something. As I mentioned before this never happens to the toaster, kettle, blender etc and should definitely never happen to an expensive machine.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on February 25, 2014, 08:53:26 am
I think the most effective thing I have done besides the ring of death which is a paste not powder is to have a very bright LED night light on EVERY NIGHT beside the Thermothingy . I bought it at Woolies and it is VERY BRIGHT I also,have the pest guy dust the underside every time he comes for a pest inspection.

Yes tinaadel I do believe it is a design fault and it is not an Uncommon problem. I know of this happening in other hot climates like Malaysia. I doubt the designers in Europe ever thought about  how it is used In the tropics or indeed anywhere that cockroaches thrive.

I wonder how they manage in restaurants where the tiny beasties are so very hard to control.

My daughter had the same problem with hers also in Cairns. She lives in a brand new high rise . The things fly in.

Have a look and read of the entire thread that judy linked for you.

I suggest the light .

Gert
Title: Re:
Post by: MrsG on February 25, 2014, 11:27:18 am
My mother in law had them in her hard drive! It killed the motherboard!
Blergh.
Title: Re:
Post by: MrsG on February 25, 2014, 11:28:11 am
(told her about the light, she is choosing to not believe me... I don't really care enough to show her the thread if you know what I mean)
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on February 25, 2014, 12:01:58 pm
Judy my DH can't stand the sound of the Indian house crickets and has been known to get up at any time of day or night and go and spray them. Our neighbours are used to hearing him at night. He doesn't mind native ones but the others are at the right pitch to drive him crazier.  :D :D :D
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on February 25, 2014, 12:16:57 pm
The geckos drive me nuts , plus the curlews and  herons walking around my patio at night. The curlews screech and the herons or ibis just poop everywhere. The snakes don't make any noise but they frighten the birds and mice which do make noise. The frogs leaping about make smacking noises when they hit the widows and they leave footprints. I can' t afford to close the doors and put the air con on so have to leave everything open and hope the fans are enough .

I keep a spray bottle of water on the bedside table and when I am just too hot I give myself a spray and let the fan do it's thing on my naked  body.  The cool however does not get to the crevasse in the flab ;D

Gert
Title: Re:
Post by: gertbysea on February 25, 2014, 12:19:16 pm
(told her about the light, she is choosing to not believe me... I don't really care enough to show her the thread if you know what I mean)

Say no more MrsG. In hear ya .

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on February 25, 2014, 12:49:56 pm
I don't know what nationality my crickets are Cookie but no creepy crawlies survive being in this house once I'm aware they're  there  ;D
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on February 25, 2014, 01:20:06 pm
No, I tend to believe if you come into my house then I can do away with you. We often have a lot do spiders, usually around Christmas.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: achookwoman on February 25, 2014, 11:12:21 pm
Spiders are a no no here. I spray them.  We once had an Echidna come in the door,  it looked around,  didn't like what it saw and left.  Sometimes the Wombats come on to the top lawn,  Ral chases them.  Quite a sight.
Judy you are very brave.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on February 25, 2014, 11:57:37 pm
Ha ha, brave - never Chookie but I've had to learn to do these things for myself over the years.  Loved seeing the wombat down the bottom of your yard when CC & I stayed with you.  Do they do much damage to the garden if allowed in the top part?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: tinaadele on February 26, 2014, 12:27:15 am
Thanks Gert and everyone else for all your suggestions. I still think we shouldn't have to fortify our machines and prepare for battle every night. Have Australian consultants let head office know about these problems? Essentially every TM owner has a time bomb that even if they get repaired may not work again due to the damage that has been incurred.  Not to mention endless fortification to stop it from happening again - its ridiculous!
 
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on February 26, 2014, 01:35:34 am
I agree but as needs be.  I have to spray my a/c filters with Glen20 and put camphor on top of it to keep geckos out stop them from earring the mother board. That is not in the specs but it works and may prevent me from having to spend $2000 on a new one again

Like any  expensive appliance we may have to take extra measures to keep it in tip top shape and protect it from villains.

The techie replaced my circuit board so hopefully no worries.

Head office is fully aware of the problem as they have had to deal with this very problem many times. I wonder how they would deal with it if the Thermomix was still under warranty.

Gert

Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on February 26, 2014, 08:12:41 am
Oh Chookie how wonderful to have wombats. I love them. As you know we don't have them over here. I get very sad when I see them killed on the drive from here to Adelaide. Mainly this side of Ceduna. I once nursed a wombat for about 2 hours in Tasmania. It was the hi light of my trip.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Katj on March 09, 2014, 08:06:40 am
Trying to avoid creepy crawlies - we are going away tomorrow for  4 weeks so I have put my Thermomix in a pillowcase and tied the end up. Hopefully this will stop anything from getting in the base. All the talk of costly repairs has put me on guard.  :)
Title: Re:
Post by: Itsnotartitsdinner on March 09, 2014, 08:39:01 am
Can you silicon up the hole or something similar that can be removed?

Our consultant always told us to turn it off at the wall.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on March 09, 2014, 09:01:26 am
Good move katj.  I never leave my Thermomix plugged in . Does anyone?

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Kimmyh on March 09, 2014, 10:27:52 am
Nope. I always unplug too.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on March 09, 2014, 11:17:28 am
I leave mine plugged in but switched off, shouldn't I?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on March 09, 2014, 01:47:52 pm
I leave mine plugged in but turned off. Which is best?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Cornish Cream on March 09, 2014, 04:22:59 pm
Plugged in but switched off at the wall socket.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: achookwoman on March 09, 2014, 07:02:37 pm
Plugged in and switched on, except if away for more than a day.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on March 10, 2014, 01:19:22 am
My DD leaves all her appliances switched on.  I go around turning them all off  :-))  Somehow I don't think I should have turned the digital coffee machine maker off though  ;D  I now leave that one alone but still do the toaster & kettle. 
Title: Re:
Post by: Itsnotartitsdinner on March 10, 2014, 02:01:32 am
I heard make sure it is turned off at wall so it won't attract bugs :/
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on March 10, 2014, 02:46:29 am
My DD leaves all her appliances switched on.  I go around turning them all off  :-))  Somehow I don't think I should have turned the digital coffee machine maker off though  ;D  I now leave that one alone but still do the toaster & kettle. 



Nooooooo not the digital coffee machine ;D ;D

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on March 10, 2014, 03:15:12 am
They were very good about it Gert, not a word was said to me  ;D
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on March 10, 2014, 03:23:00 am
Just goes to show you are needed ;D ;D ;D  Don't mess with the sitter!

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Cuilidh on March 10, 2014, 08:07:14 pm
Recently I have noticed cockroaches turning up more regularly so this weekend did a bit of research on natural repellents and read that epsom salts and cloves together deters them - also dampening cotton wool balls with clove oil and scattering them around is supposed to help too.  There are bound to be other natural options as well (borax?)

I haven't had a chance to try this yet as I have got to go down and buy the epsom salts and also the clove oil, but it may be worth trying.  I hate using fly spray if I can avoid it, but sometimes there is just no other answer than giving the creepy crawlies a good spray of something noxious!
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on March 10, 2014, 09:15:07 pm
When Vorwerk do come out with a new model,as rumours would have it,  I wonder if they have addressed this problem I would say they never invisaged that the Thermomix would migrate to climate where creepy crawlers thrived.  Seems to me that a very fine internal mesh could solve the problem  while still allowing the air vents.

I am ever vigilant and never go to bed without turning on my night light beside my Thermomix . It is just not worth not doing it even  if I have to get out of bed to do it.


Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Cuilidh on March 11, 2014, 07:22:51 am
When Vorwerk do come out with a new model,as rumours would have it,  I wonder if they have addressed this problem I would say they never invisaged that the Thermomix would migrate to climate where creepy crawlers thrived.  Seems to me that a very fine internal mesh could solve the problem  while still allowing the air vents.
Gert
I wonder if Vorwerk here would do this if requested?  I guess it is possible that it may cause a problem of electrical arcing, but it might be worth following this up if any of us suffer from a dreaded cockroach invasion ... maybe they should have a specific cockroach error message "ERROR C" :P
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on March 11, 2014, 07:42:38 am
Marina I was thinking of a fine silicone , plastic, nylon mesh not metal. Or some other benign material.

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on March 11, 2014, 08:28:19 am
You can get fly wire that is not metal, if that makes sense.  :-))
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on March 11, 2014, 08:29:22 am
Tell it to Vorwerk. I say!

Gert
Title: Re:
Post by: MrsG on March 11, 2014, 11:11:39 am
Because of you Gert, I have a night light. Hubby thinks it's cos the thermomix needs to see... That's all he needs to know I reckon.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Cuilidh on March 15, 2014, 11:31:04 pm
I have now started getting Error 23 regularly 4 times this weekend alone, sigh.  Guess I should follow up with my consultant / HO and arrange a check up / service.

Did I read or see something recently that there is now a service centre in Victoria?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on March 15, 2014, 11:35:30 pm
Chookie posted this (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=9196.0) Marina.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Cuilidh on March 16, 2014, 12:13:17 am
Thanks Judy.  I knew I had read or heard about it somewhere.  I popped onto the HO site to get the Melbourne details, but couldn't find them so ended up dropping them an email.  We'll see what happens next.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on March 16, 2014, 04:45:46 am
Oh Marina that is a nuisance. It almost seems as if Error 23 is contagious.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Cornish Cream on March 16, 2014, 09:23:32 am
What bad luck Marina.Hopefully your TM can be serviced quickly. :)
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Katiej on March 16, 2014, 10:21:16 am
I hope it can be sorted out quickly Marina.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: achookwoman on March 17, 2014, 08:17:06 am
Marina,  send me a PM if you get no satisfaction.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Cuilidh on March 17, 2014, 06:38:18 pm
Thanks, everyone.  I have spoken to HO and they want me to try out my second jug first to see if it may be jug related as opposed to mechanical, so I'll do that next weekend and see what happens.

I had (what I consider to be) a bright idea yesterday.  If it transpires that the problem is a "bug" issue I may have a possible solution.  How many of you have seen indoor bird cages with a protective skirt (http://www.perchfactory.com/bird_cage_cleaning_mess_control/bird_seed_poop_catchers.htm) around the bottom to catch bird seed?  I wonder if I got one of these would that protect the underside of the machine from further infestations?  That leaves the vents on the ouside at the top free - I am still thinking about what to do with these.  Do you think the 'skirt' will work?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on March 17, 2014, 08:35:08 pm
I think Cuilidh that bugs can find there was around that. I would buy a syringe of Roach Kill and place dots of this thick Past on The bottom of the TMX as well as near the vents on the sides . Just be careful how you handle the TMX. Then draw a circle around the TMX on the bench top. No bug will cross it.  Where I plug the machine in I keep a very bright LED night light on 24/7. Be careful with your Roach Kill Syringe as it is a once use only and not cheap. Only a tiny amount is needed and once you plunge it that is it.  So plunge it very slowly in tiny amounts. BTW I have found this in Woolies not in Coles.

Also when I have the pest man in he " dusts" around the area I keep the TMX.

Let's hope it is just a jug problem  but to me I sounds exactly like the problem my DH's had and it was the machine.

Gert

Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on March 18, 2014, 02:01:12 am
 :'( :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Leann17 on April 26, 2014, 07:02:36 am
Thank you ladies - - - I've had a stressful hour trying to work out what to do with 'error 23'
Found your forum and conversation - have got some little black spots out of machine (obviously a dastardly cockroach!!!)
Will go to Woolies first thing Monday for 1 x LED light + some cockroach gel.
I asked hubby to make me a fine mesh cage to keep my Thermo in - - - he thinks I'm mad.  Will ask Dad - he knows I'm slightly eccentric but loves me anyway
 :D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on April 26, 2014, 07:35:47 am
I think a fine mesh cage would be very useful. It could even be decorative and start a new craze.  :D ;D
Is your thermomix working ok?
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on April 26, 2014, 09:21:02 am
Lucky Leann. If I am in bed I can see outside and if I do not see the light from the kitchen I have to get out of bed to turn it on. Not worth the risk. The gel is great to just put dots on the underside of the Thermomix. Also I have the pest controller puff some dust up the underside every six months. Try to squeeze the gel very slowly as once you have plunged the syringe fully you are out of gel so slowly and tiny amounts so as not to waste it.

You dodged a bullet this time.  ;D

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Cuilidh on April 26, 2014, 11:39:18 pm
I hope I am not tempting fate by writing this, but my Error 23 seems to have gone away by itself.  Fingers crossed!
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on April 27, 2014, 12:04:31 am
I hope I am not tempting fate by writing this, but my Error 23 seems to have gone away by itself.  Fingers crossed!

Probably just moisture in your case cuilidh. Good one.

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: samparsons92 on May 15, 2014, 11:16:55 am
Hi everyone. I work in Worcester, England in a hot kitchen and this 'error 23' also happened with our machine. i used a damp sponge to clean all over including underneath. then used a cocktail stick and scraped any food remnants from any gap/hole witch would lead to the motor and fan. switch it back on and is working perfectly again.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: judydawn on May 15, 2014, 11:46:23 am
Hi Sam, welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your experience of Error 23 with the rest of us.

I'd love to know what you make in the Thermomix at work.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: cookie1 on May 15, 2014, 01:16:30 pm
Thank you for that information. Giving the machine a clean like that is probably something we should do every now and then anyway.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: ElleG on May 24, 2014, 12:48:33 pm
I am waiting for my TM to return from repairs. It started with error 23, then went to 31, 31, 52, oPEN, wouldn't turn off, had to turn it on and off again. I didnt know how I would go without it, and it kept working!! When it started to turn itself on, I then finally gave in and sent it away.. Before it died..

It was the speed dial mechanism that was broken. I though it was quite reasonable price for the repairs, also replaced 2 seals, bought a new blade and MC. Cost all up was $233, including transport.  Should be like new  ;D
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: gertbysea on May 24, 2014, 01:39:41 pm
I am waiting for my TM to return from repairs. It started with error 23, then went to 31, 31, 52, oPEN, wouldn't turn off, had to turn it on and off again. I didnt know how I would go without it, and it kept working!! When it started to turn itself on, I then finally gave in and sent it away.. Before it died..

It was the speed dial mechanism that was broken. I though it was quite reasonable price for the repairs, also replaced 2 seals, bought a new blade and MC. Cost all up was $233, including transport.  Should be like new  ;D

I think you did very well.

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: achookwoman on May 24, 2014, 06:22:12 pm
I am waiting for my TM to return from repairs. It started with error 23, then went to 31, 31, 52, oPEN, wouldn't turn off, had to turn it on and off again. I didnt know how I would go without it, and it kept working!! When it started to turn itself on, I then finally gave in and sent it away.. Before it died..

It was the speed dial mechanism that was broken. I though it was quite reasonable price for the repairs, also replaced 2 seals, bought a new blade and MC. Cost all up was $233, including transport.  Should be like new  ;D

I think you did very well.

This is good to hear , that is very reasonable. 

Gert
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: ElleG on May 24, 2014, 09:26:03 pm
Gert, I thought it would have been much much worse - originally just over $100, then I added new blades and MC. I will try and have the old blades sharpened. Nothing to lose, and they can be a spare .
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Aussie Brenda on May 24, 2014, 11:47:20 pm
I have sharpened my old blades and they are working perfectly,  if I am cutting up any hard veggies I get the blades turning first then feed in the ingredients through the hole in the lid.
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: goldfish on May 25, 2014, 12:14:38 am
I have sharpened my old blades and they are working perfectly,  if I am cutting up any hard veggies I get the blades turning first then feed in the ingredients through the hole in the lid.

AB, did you have them done professionally, or did you do them yourself  . . and what did you use?
Good to be aware of this - consultants take note!! ;) :D
Title: Re: Error 23
Post by: Aussie Brenda on May 25, 2014, 03:48:29 am
CP, I did them myself, they were so blunt I first run the edge one side only along the coarse side of my sharpening stone then I did the fine  side it's a bit fiddly and you can't get right up to the bends, and finally I worked them with a steel,  I have a few sharpening tools hanging around I might gather them up and see if one if them works easier,  but if they are really blunt I think the sharpening stone has to used first.  I used to work I a butcher shop many years ago and do know a little bit about sharpening knives.