Washer trips the breaker or shows E09 when heating should start; sometimes accompanied by a burning smell.

Safety first: Switch off the circuit breaker and unplug the washer. Do not reset the breaker repeatedly without finding the cause.

• Access heater terminals: Remove the rear panel to expose the heater connections.
• Visual inspection: Look for signs of arcing, burn marks, or melted insulation around the heater and wiring.
• Insulation test: With a multimeter set to continuity, check between each heater terminal and the metal tub or chassis. Any continuity indicates a short; the heater must be replaced.
• Check wiring routing: Ensure heater wires are not trapped between panels or rubbing on sharp edges. Reroute and secure with cable ties if necessary.
• Replace heater: Remove the faulty heater as described in E05 and install a new Primus-specified element. Ensure the seal is correctly seated to prevent leaks.
• Final test: Restore power and run a hot wash while monitoring for breaker trips or E09 recurrence.