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  • Giotto ECM pump cycling

    My ECM Giotto pumps about 3 secs after lifting the lever all the way up (horizontally), stops for a few secs, starts pumping again, stops again and this sequence repeats for many cycles. Eventually it will pump a whole double espresso (or til I stop the brewing with the lever). Any tip on what I can do?

  • #2
    Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

    Originally posted by 54415C46505B5C6C465D5C330 link=1240331254/0#0 date=1240331254
    My ECM Giotto pumps about 3 secs after lifting the lever all the way up (horizontally), stops for a few secs, starts pumping again, stops again and this sequence repeats for many cycles. Eventually it will pump a whole double espresso (or til I stop the brewing with the lever). Any tip on what I can do?
    Hi igroucho,

    Possibly a pump solenoid on the way out, but much more likely to a be water issue caused by scale or heavily filtered water.

    Clean the boiler probe (be careful that you dont lose the plastic sheath its mounted in) and also the two probes on the tank coupling. Id also give the contacts to each a clean.

    As for water- no underbench drinking water filtration unless its coffee specific. The Giotto relies on conductivity via dissolved solids to sense the presence of water. A brita filter or or similar is a good start...

    Let me know how you go as there are other things you can do...

    2mcm






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    • #3
      Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

      thanx!
      Looks like I´ve got a full days work cut out for me esp as Im not even remotely familiar w the interior of this machine (or any espressomachine for that matter)...
      Ill get back to u as soon as Ive gone thru that laundrylist :-)
      PS: A nice help would be a reference to the parts# in the pdf "giotto parts list" published in this forum earlier.

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

        Im OK with that boiler probe but I cant figure out which the other 2 are? What are their real names (again, part# as per the diagram would be very helpful)?

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        • #5
          Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

          Originally posted by 293C213B2D2621113B20214E0 link=1240331254/3#3 date=1240490154
          Im OK with that boiler probe but I cant figure out which the other 2 are? What are their real names (again, part# as per the diagram would be very helpful)?
          Hi igroucho,

          If you remove the tank, you will see the coupling that it mounts into. There will be a central brass probe and also a small screw in the side of the coupling. The Giotto requires a signal across these two. No conductivity = no water and the machine will cut flow to the group and power to the element as well. If your machine is suffering scale, it can prevent the machine from operating properly.

          I have also seen a few GPP recently where the machine can cut when running on filtered water. This is generally due to lower than normal flow from the tank. The fix is to remove the lower portion of the tank which looks a little like a wine cask pourer. This can simply be unscrewed (dont lose anything ) and you can check that the two holes are clear and reassemble. ECA suggested the use of a spacer to create a gap of a couple of mm when reassembling. This seems to do the trick every time.

          2mcm

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

            Thanks again so much.
            I cleaned the tank-probe to no effect. Still cycling. You wrote that probs in the tank couplings would also cut heat, but my machine keeps normal heat. Im pondering a pump exchange, is that a too wild idea? Read somewhere that these pumps often dont hold it for more than 3, tops 4 yrs? This machine was manufactured 2003 and has made good use since. I bought it from a guy who in his turn bought it SH. He was meticulate about descaling and cleaning. Soon after I got the G I noticed that the spill tray filled up very quickly and soon concluded pouring from the nozzle on the bottom of the group during brewing. I changed all gaskings incl all the small brass parts. Then I had a first hand view of the condition as far as scaling concerned and it was very subtle indeed. So I deduct from the look of that that the rest should be in good condition. Also the water in my location is of very good quality.

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            • #7
              Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

              Id get it checked igroucho..

              A service wont cost you too much and the cause can be located and rectified.

              If the pump will operate, its unlikely that the problem lies there.

              I recommend that you take your machine to an ECA service agent.

              There are lots of sponsors who service the Giotto.

              Hope youre up and running soon

              2mcm

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

                thanks again. Its so heavy, I have no car and the service center is quite far away :-) Besides I have nothing against doing some mechanics myself ;-)
                I checked with all dressings away. I hear a click and then the motor starts pumping for a short while. A technician tipped of the "auto fill box", what could that be, the solenoid??? If that it would be a cakewalk to change, right?

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                • #9
                  Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

                  This machine may just drive me crazy. I need some expert input.
                  I have gone thru the machine and now changed pump to a brand new one. Still cycles broken by intervals of decent functioning. I have cleaned most everything, tried salting the water (slightly - to rule out too clean and elctrolyte deficiant water), grounded the wire to the level stick in the heater, shortcircuited the tank level wires, no go!
                  Could this be the control board ?

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

                    Originally posted by 786D706A7C7770406A71701F0 link=1240331254/8#8 date=1243094877
                    This machine may just drive me crazy. I need some expert input.
                    I have gone thru the machine and now changed pump to a brand new one. Still cycles broken by intervals of decent functioning. I have cleaned most everything, tried salting the water (slightly - to rule out too clean and elctrolyte deficiant water), grounded the wire to the level stick in the heater, shortcircuited the tank level wires, no go!
                    Could this be the control board ?
                    Hi igroucho....

                    It could be the pump solenoid on the way out or or the control board.

                    Try one more thing for me:[*]Remove the tank and unscrew the base of it. Careful as there is a spring in the coupling which you dont want to lose. Firstly, check the holes through which water exits the tank for left over plastic from manufacture whcih can block the flow of water. Then pack out the threads with some gas tape (teflon) so that the coupling leaves a 1-2mm gap when screwed tight.

                    If its not this, I think you will have to look at the solenoid and/or control board.

                    If the board has had it, a replacement GPP board and wiring loom is required and the parts are around $330 I think. The solenoid is under $100.

                    2mcm

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Giotto ECM pump cycling

                      Thanx 2mcm!
                      I will do as told. About the solenoid: I hear it "tick" clearly as I think it should, if that is an indicator of ruling it out? Or is this still consistent with your general scheme that it could be faulty?
                      Another observation: It has happened during recent time that the pump wont stop working immidiately as the lever is moved to the end-position but pumps on for a sec or 2. Maybe also an indicator of a malfunctioning CB?

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