HELP! Clothes Stuck In Washer!

nordberg

I have a Zanussi FJ1093 washing machine. It's served me very well. Over the past few months, it's started being a bit tempermental. I've had to bang the door to engage cycles. Obviously there's a fault with the door interlock. I'm happy to spend £20 replacing that and get another few years good service.....Problem is, the interlock has given up the ghost completely - with my washing inside! It's fully drained, but the mechanism that detects that the water has drained is obviously not working. Does anyone know how I can get my washing out without taking a hammer to it?! I don't have a manual for it and have scoured the Web but with no luck. I was hoping there would be some kind of over-ride, but nothing's ever that simple it is?!

Nile

Hello nordberg


I would be tempted to put the washing through a spin cycle and see if at the end of the cycle, the door release mechanism will work.

If yes, it sounds like you need to get the machine serviced or repaired before you risk another washing load.

If no, have a look at the thread at the top of this board 'Find Instruction Manuals Here!'............to see if you can download a manual for your machine.

Good luck

Nile

chrisw

If you unplug the machine first and pull it out, there are usually 2 screws at the back holding the top on. If you undo these, the top usually slides backwards a couple of inches and then lifts off. If you're lucky, you should then be able to get at the screws holding the door lock on, or it might free up with a sharp knock.

nordberg

Unfortunately, the screws holding the interlock in place are accessible only from the front and only when the door is open

It's not looking good. I did some more Googling and found a similar issue reported a few years back for the same model. There's no way of over-riding the "safety lock" when it's engaged. It relies on getting the OK from the water sensor before releasing the lock. Looks like the hammer might have to come out of the box after all

loracan1

I once had my old 'electra' washer door fail to open, it had been dodgy for a while beforehand and I'd ripped off some of the outer mechanism which meant I could only open it with a strategically levered knife. Even this method failed after a while and I managed to get the whole thing off by brute force, replaced the door lock for about 12-15 quid. Washer didn't last but the door worked beautifully.

nordberg

Managed to get the door open. It wasn't easy, but I got into it without destroying it! Also managed to find a replacement interlock for £10 on eBay

Saved myself a good few quid so well pleased

djohn2002uk

nordberg wrote:

I've had to bang the door to engage cycles.

OK, now learn from this experience and don't bang the door anymore.......:rolleyes:

calmgirl

Just a quick note everybody sliding a credit card down the gap on the right hand side of the machine releases the door.

nordberg

djohn2002uk wrote:

OK, now learn from this experience and don't bang the door anymore.......:rolleyes:

Um no....I had to bang the door because the interlock was faulty.....reaction not cause....but thanks for the attempt at sarcasm anyway.

calmgirl wrote:

Just a quick note everybody sliding a credit card down the gap on the right hand side of the machine releases the door.

Not on the FJ1093 it doesn't. Firstly, there is no gap on the right - or left side. Secondly, it's a vacuum based interlock and there is no manual over-ride. There are many, many different locking mecahisms on Zanussi washers....Believe me, if it were as simple as the credit card trick, I would have solved it one hell of a lot quicker.