Vaillant Drive Motor / Gear Train Wear

Softener makes loud clicking or grinding noises during regeneration

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Worn or broken plastic gears in control head, Misaligned rotor causing binding, Foreign object in valve body, Failing drive motor bearings

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety: Disconnect power before removing the control head cover.

Steps:

  • Localise the noise: Start a manual regeneration and listen carefully to identify whether the noise comes from the motor area or the valve body.
  • Inspect gears: Remove the cover and examine the gear train. Look for cracked, missing, or worn teeth. Replace the motor/gearbox assembly if damaged.
  • Check rotor movement: With power off, gently rotate the rotor by hand (if allowed by the manual). It should move smoothly. Resistance or sudden stops may indicate debris in the valve.
  • Clean valve body: If resin beads or foreign objects are visible, the valve body may need to be disassembled and cleaned, which is typically a technician‑level task.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Control Head Motor and Gear Kit
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