Waching Machine Handle Snapped off

Eve | 18:03 Sun 01st May 2011 | Home & Garden

22 Answers

I went to open the door to get my washing out and the handle snapped off and I can't get my washing out. The machine is an Indesit W133S.

I've tried gently trying to lever it open with a screwdriver and other assorted things but no joy and I don't want to risk causing any further damage.

Does anyone know how I can get my washing out initially with the minimum damage (and potentially foolproof for me factor) and know whether it is easy to get a replacement handle (as cheap as possible as things are incredibly tight at the moment).

If I can get another one cheap I can hopefully find a friend who is far better at fixing things than I am to fix it on. I'm guessing superglue (not that I have any here now) won't be strong enough.

Thank you for any help, am panicking!

Horizonal Blinds .......

garden waste?

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The Builder

Jenna, my little skinny latte ................ everything happens to you ;o(
I did that once. I think I found a screw to undo to take the rest of the handle off. Then I just used a screwdriver to operate the catch manually.

I'll just Google and see if I can find a diagram of your machine.

The Builder

............ this is the nearest I've got so far ........

http://www.howtomendi.../answers.php?id=13082
and
http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=4393

The Builder

......... here's another one ....... apparently there are no screws on the outside ........ this one suggests taking the top off and putting your arm in to release it from the inside......

http://www.diynot.com...viewtopic.php?t=22285

-- answer removed --

The Builder

awwwww ............... thanks Doc .......... means a lot coming from an "old hand" lol

(just hope one of those ideas works)

ChuckFickens

As above, Screwdriver in the correct place will open it.... but..... Please turn the power off at the wall first!, the door interlock is a main power switch and sticking a screwdriver anywhere around it with the power on is a bad idea.

Eve

Question Author

Thank you all :)

In between coming back to check answers I decided to be proactive and have got the washing machine out (nightmare in itself), got the top off with a screwdriver which doesn't quite fit, and tried to open the door from the inside...no joy so far, can't find anything to release it, not much room to manoevre and see so trying to feel, nothing seems to give...about to cry...off for a cigarette and another go...arghhhhhh...

Don't worry Chuck, I unplugged it first :)

ChuckFickens

If the handle is on the door get a blunt knife and slide it between the door and the body of the machine on the outside and push it up and you should be able to release the catch directly.

TonyV

Jenna - can you see any part of handle still left at machine end - first thing is to get the door open without doing any damage - it may need to plugged in to dissengage solonoid holding it shut. No need to panic

Eve

Question Author

Ok... I've looked at all the links and tried wagging a knife and screwdriver in what's left of the handle on the door all kinds of ways and tried opening it from the inside as well. There seems to be a black case over what I assume is the mechanism inside and a white catch which just won't seem to shift. The only other bits on it seem to relate to wires coming in and out - am guessing what tells the machine the cycle is finished and lets it open?

Could it be the fact it's unplugged them which won't let it open? I made sure it had spun and drained and gave it time for the door locking mechanism to disengage before unplugging it and opening the top.

Thank you all so much for your help so far, it is so appreciated and I'm sure it's my technical inadequacies stopping it opening rather than your kind assistance.

Ok...back to give it another go unplugged...

The Builder

Ok Jenna ........... have to go now, but I'll look in later :o)

Eve

Question Author

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay I did it, I did it I did it!!!!!!!

After getting the top off I managed to get it open via waggling the knife in the outside bit again. Thank you all so so much for all your help!

It's been misbehaving again generally and wondering whether my sanity can take me trying to sort the flter thing, see if any nasties are lurking which could be causing it...

http://www.mendmy.com/answers.php?id=75587

Found it when googling to open the door and wondering if it might fix the problem although I'm not sure I can take any more washing machine related drama this evening :

Eve

Question Author

Well I braved it and did the filter thing and apart from some rather grimy water two little flimsy plastic things were in there, look lke the mini plastic things you put in plant beds with the name of plants on but a lot more flimsy. Am hoping it might improve things and stop the dial clicking round but will have to wait until I fix the door as can't get it to shut again now it's open.

Shame there wasn't a video on with my attempts to get the washing machine moved back in, I ended up (already covered in black stuff) having to brace myself across the kitchen and go near vertical to get it to move..ahhh could have sent it to You've Been Framed to pay for the repair and someone to do it properly, missed a trick there!

Am now clean, sat down with the dryer on and much saner :) Thank you all!!!

wolf63

I am proud of you - you didn't hurt yourself and have to go to A&E.

My brother used to do all the DIY stuff for me but when he moved to Nottingham I was left to do it myself. He moved there in 1996 and I have never got the hang of DIY.

I have a 'handyman' coming in next week to look at a few little jobs. ;-)

TonyV

Jenna - well done - what a wonderfull community AB is? Will sort out door handle replacement later - but you might need a screwdriver that fit's the screw

Eve

Question Author

I know, I am very proud of me but I had a lot of help from the lovely men above :)

Maybe I should rethink me single status haha, get a man about the house again :)

It really is the last thing I need at the moment finance wise but can't be without a washing machine so just more money I could do without spending. Needs must though. Please let the recession sod off in the very very near future!