[Tornadored]

Repeating the above, another one fixed thanks to the helpful info here, thank you!

 

[Gramfer]

A very useful discussion - I have the same problem with my new ( November 2021) Wilfa Aroma grinder, which seems to be the current name for the Svart. The online retailer , Coffee Friend has told me that ' in this case a refund will be proceeded' so I'm waiting ... It seems to be long standing problem with this machine, and I wonder why the manufacturer has not taken steps to put it right. . The registration number on the base is 3/21 so I assume that is the date of manufacture. Electronics not being my forte I won't try and repair it. I will look for a local business which does small electrical repairs and hope to get it working. Otherwise ebay or the bin!

 

[Oisín]

Took out the grey .33uf cap.... replaced with this 0.33uF 275v capacitor

That was the easy part.

Honestly that case!!!! ... I was on my last try and it finally came together, was actually just gonna throw the whole thing out and be done with it.

Don't bother tightening the bottom screws (ones you need long screwdriver for) unless you see everything line up as it was before you opened it.

 

[Florian Will]

I just wanted to say a big thank you!!!

I found a Wilfa Svart Grinder on ebay and just searched on Google with the despcirption of whats not working. I came to this forum entry and said "Well, lets give it a try".

Bought the grinder for around 8 Euro, a new cap, and after managing to solder it in (and put that damn case back on) the grinder works perfectly!

Thank you for this forum entry and the instructions given! I just got a good grinder for very little money

 

[Rincewind]

I just wanted to say a big thank you....Thank you for this forum entry and the instructions given! I just got a good grinder for very little money

EXCELLENT news...another grinder is saved from the landfill...enjoy your coffee

 

[kmic]

The problem was in the gearbox where a steel disc under the burr was held in place against a plastic gear with springs and ball bearings. The springs and ball bearings where loose in the gearbox so the disc and the gear just slipped against each other. I bent the springs that had been chewed by the gears back into shape and put them and the ball bearings back in place.

Hi folks, first post here.
How did you manage to take gearbox apart?
From one side there are nylon gears with no visible points of entry.
From the side of lower burr it looks like the burr is screwed on shaft and I assume I need to somehow grab it and unscrew clockwise?

Any help appreciated because I hear that screeching sound when grinder runs empty.
I hear it when gearbox is detached from the motor so it must be the same issue as described.
FYI I checked capacitors in my model from 12/20 and outside is a yellow one with 0.47uF (measured 0.6uF on board) and inside I have gray capacitor with 0.33uF (measured on board it shows 0.4uF).

 

[Rincewind]

@kmic to properly check the value of a capacitor accurately you either need to remove the capacitor from the circuit, isolate it from it's neighbouring circuitry or lift/de-solder one of it's 2 legs/post/wires (dependent on type) from the circuit as the other components in the circuit will affect the reading on your meter/instrument (i.e wrong value).

 

[kmic]

@kmic to properly check the value of a capacitor accurately you either need to remove the capacitor from the circuit, isolate it from it's neighbouring circuitry or lift/de-solder one of it's 2 legs/post/wires (dependent on type) from the circuit as the other components in the circuit will affect the reading on your meter/instrument (i.e wrong value).

That’s why I stated those are values on board, so others don’t need to de‑solder to check (they should have similar values on a working model from around 12/20).
I finally unscrewd lower burr with a wheel wrench and rubber.
Now I will try to adjust burrs spacing and we are back in business.

 

[cat82]

Could you please give me some details about the capacitor? I need to buy a new one, as I'm having the exact same issue. A link wold be great.

 

[Rincewind]

...A link wold be great.

Link in post #22 or post #35

 

[Fizzer]

Hello just wanted to make an account to share that I was having the same issue and fixed it with this guide. Never attempted anything like this before so big feeling of relief to see it working and back to normal. Big thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread. My gf doesn't understand why I spent £50 on parts and about 5 hours labour to fix a grinder that was still under warranty, but honestly it was worth it. Very fun little project.

 

[smurphy]

Hey there, I just signed up to thank everyone for their advice regarding this fix. My machine is now as good as new! I also wanted to share a few notes and things that were different about my grinder, maybe there was a redesign or something:

• Mine had no screws holding down the hopper microswitch, it was just slotted onto two posts.
• The PCB looked different to the photos posted so far, and the faulty capacitor had a 25mm post distance rather than 15mm. Nothing some bending couldn't fix, however. (Pics attached)
• Now that it's fixed the grind speed seems extra potent. The markings on the capacitor were the same, and the grind results seem the same so maybe it's my imagination.
• The self tapping screws holding the case together are down really long tapering holes, I had to buy a new screwdriver with a longer shaft to reach them.
• I had zero issues getting the case back on! Slotted on no bother then tightening the self-tappers really locked everything into place.
• I got my capacitor here. Fairly cheap and no waste from buying a big multipack or anything.

Again, thanks to everyone who has contributed to this so far. Seems insane so many grinders are possibly being ruined because of such a tiny cheap component.

 

[Rincewind]

Well done buddy...and FWIW a cheap capacitor is no different to an expensive capacitor in an expensive grinder, they all die eventually, none last forever...some caps go open-circuit (zero dramatics) and some go short-circuit BOOM 💥🔥😊 ...no fun when a cap flies past your earhole or bounces off of your glasses

Enjoy your coffee

 

[gnclmorais]

Similar to @Fizzer and @smurphy, I’ve signed up to this forum just to drop a massive thank you to everyone, especially to @lake_m for figuring out the issue and @EsbenB for the disassembling instructions (very helpful to put everything together). It took me a few months to get all the required material (a really long screwdriver, capacitors with the right size from China), but finally did it and it worked like a charm! I got into soldering for this project, and now I can say it was totally worth it.

 

[Coffeemanfromamsterdam]

Hi there,

I have the same issue with my Wilfa Svart coffee grinder. lake m I would like to give it a go as well with soldering a new capacitor. What type of supression capacitor is in the grinder and where did you buy it? Just so I can order it without having to open the grinder twice. Thanks in advance

Cheers

 

[Rincewind]

...where did you buy it?...

...and...

Link in post #22 or post #35

 

[Coffeemanfromamsterdam]

Thanks!

...and...

 

[gnclmorais]

Thanks!

If it helps, I got them from here (I ended up replacing both capacitors just in case): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002611202650.html

 

[koffee_k]

Yes, no problem. I might even do a tutorial if this is going to be endemic to these grinders...

It is endemic! I've had my Wilfa Svart dying on me in the exact same way (suddenly, starts grinding and stops immediately, slow, deep noise etc.) after about a year of use. We got it replaced and the new one blew up yesterday, after exactly one year of daily use.
Your success has empowered me to try to fix it @lake_m. What's the exact capacitor that I should buy - can I just show up in a shop and ask for 'the most expensive 0.33uF capacitor you got' or do I need more details? And I assume I don't need the LCR measuring device right?
Thanks!!

 

[gnclmorais]

@koffee_k, keep in mind as well the physical dimensions of the capacitor. I’ve searched locally where I live, but the ones they had were too big to fit inside the case.