Grey Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domo Superbar... Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008, 1:14pm Subject: Please help me fix my baby...a Vibiemme Domo Superbar Electronic
I've had this machine for about a year and it's the greatest ever made (in my humble opinion). Yesterday, I went to make my 10th or so shot of the day (all before were perfect), and I pushed the button to pull the shot and nothing happened. I also tried the other (pre-set) buttons, and still nothing happened. All the lights are on, it's full of water, and up to temp, but the pump doesn't come on. I've turned it off and on, left it off over night, still the same...no pumping...no espresso...boo hoo hoo. Does anyone have any ideas? I'd be happy to just hot wire it for now, but I'm not sure how.
Grey Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domo Superbar... Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008, 1:40pm Subject: Re: Please help me fix my baby...a Vibiemme Domo Superbar Electronic
1st Line is great...that's where I got the machine. But, they are all at a show in Atlantic city. If I don't get something going on this machine today or tomorrow, I probably go into dt's and die.
Grey Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domo Superbar... Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008, 4:41pm Subject: Re: Please help me fix my baby...a Vibiemme Domo Superbar Electronic
All the lights that are supposed to be on are on. Being the caffeine addict that I am, and having used the machine as long as I have, I know what my gauges and lights should look like, and all looks like it should.
frcn Senior Member Joined: 23 Dec 2001 Posts: 637 Location: Yankee Hill Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super Grinder: Mazzer Kony, 2Baratzas Vac Pot: Hario, 2 Cory pots, 1 Cory... Drip: Bunn A10 mod for temperature... Roaster: 4Hottops, 1HWP, 1 Gourmet
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008, 5:24pm Subject: Re: Please help me fix my baby...a Vibiemme Domo Superbar Electronic
OK... How adventurous are you? I would unplug it and remove the wires from the pump, and I would run a cord from the pump directly to a wall outlet and see if the pump itself is functioning. It should only take a second to do so. be sure that the pump is only connected to the line cord for testing and disconnected from the rest of the machine.
Because of the electronic nature of the machine, if the pump is good then it probably will need a more in-depth level of diagnoses repair after that. You might try contacting Stefano at www.espressocare.com as he also sells and works on the VBM.
Grey Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domo Superbar... Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Fri Jun 27, 2008, 6:48pm Subject: Re: Please help me fix my baby...a Vibiemme Domo Superbar Electronic
I'll try it. I've already taken all of the outer casing off and checked all the plugs...all still well connected. I can identify the boiler and it has 2 different sets of wires going into it. There are a few other electronic parts. Which of these are the pump?
I discovered one other thing. Plugged in and up to operating temp, I can still turn on both the steam wand as well as the hot water thing. However, when I turn either of these on for more than a second or two, it always causes the pump to turn on (I guess refilling the boiler that I'm draining). Now when either of these are open, then pump does not come on. I suspect that I shouldn't drain any more water out. I have a feeling it would not be good to have the boiler get anywhere near empty.
frcn Senior Member Joined: 23 Dec 2001 Posts: 637 Location: Yankee Hill Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super Grinder: Mazzer Kony, 2Baratzas Vac Pot: Hario, 2 Cory pots, 1 Cory... Drip: Bunn A10 mod for temperature... Roaster: 4Hottops, 1HWP, 1 Gourmet
Posted Sat Jun 28, 2008, 8:49am Subject: Re: Please help me fix my baby...a Vibiemme Domo Superbar Electronic
If the machine was a manual VBM model (lever) then the diagnoses would be a lot easier. Since the machine is controlled by a fairly sophisticated computer unit that holds the memory for the brew setting and other such programming it complicates matters of home repair.
If the boiler is not refilling when you are "pumping" water (which is actually pushed out of the boiler from the steam pressure) then you do indeed have a problem. You are correct in thinking that you should not be running the machine because as you suspected, the boiler is not refilling which can lead to damage.
The pump is located at the bottom of the machine, and it is easy to find. Just trace the silicone hose from the reservoir. Remove the divider panel (that the reservoir sits on) and looking at the machine from the rear, the pump is located under the boiler to the right, at least on my model. If you go to my review of the machine at: http://home.surewest.net/frcn/Coffee/vibiemme.html There is an pic of the internals with the pump's location clearly labeled.
You might try using a volt meter to check to see if the pump is getting voltage when the machine is turned on. Allow the machine to cool off, attache the voltmeter, and set it to read AC voltage. Switching the machine to switch position "1" (first detent from off) the pump should be operating, and so at this point the meter should read line voltage (or close to it). No voltage means that there is an electronic problem which most likely will need some further diagnoses or replacement of expensive part. Voltage means that the pump is most likely faulty which is much less costly and a simple fix.
Grey Senior Member Joined: 18 Apr 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Atlanta, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domo Superbar... Grinder: Mazzer Mini
Posted Sun Jun 29, 2008, 3:43pm Subject: Re: Please help me fix my baby...a Vibiemme Domo Superbar Electronic
OK, I've got 2 wires going to the pump, a thicker one that is orange and a thinner on that is brown. The thicker/orange wire has about 64 to 96 volts (it fluctuates), and the thinner/brown wire has 0. Does that mean my pump is probably the problem?
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