Hi,
the washer things are in fact what holds the outer, plastic sliding lever to the inner metal part.
You say the switch has come off completely so I'm assuming the inner metal part is detached completely. Start by unplugging the machine, then with a phillips screwdriver (the type with a cross not a flat line,) remove the 4 screws holding the underside of the machine. Looks a bit scarey in there huh ? Don't Panic. At the front of the machine you'll see a PCB or printed circuit board (if you have friends and don't live with your parents.) This is just a sliding tight fit and can be gently tugged out - it might be a bit tight but if you can get your fingers up to the upper edge it's fairly easy. You might need to work one end slightly loose then the other. Got it out? Good, you now have access to the switch. Start by placing the outer plastic switch into the slot in the casing. Now you need to locate the inner metal part over the two plastic prongs of the outer switch so that the hooked/slotted part of the metal bit is towards the 'bowl' part. Ok, so now you're wondering what's going to hold the two parts together. Cue the washer things. See that one side of the washer is flat and one side is domed? The flat side goes against the metal and the domed side points toward the motor. It's very important now that the inner metal part of the switch is the right way up with the slotted hook part facing into the motor, you simply push the central hole of the washer over the plastic prong of the outer switch. The washer has central flaps that will grip the prong but won't let it slide off it. Snug them up good and tight against the metal bit. You might need to improvise a bit if they're a tight fit - perhaps the side of a pair of pliers will help push the washer on evenly. Once the metal part is firmly held you can slide the PCB back onto its slots, get it halfway then hold the outer switch in the central position and push the PCB all the way back in. The actual switch is held on the PCB and the sliding metal, inner switch part needs to engage with it - it has a slot which fits around it. When the PCB is all the way home you can replace the base cover and retighten the screws. It might be worth dabbing each screw with a little Vaseline jelly - makes it a lot easier to get them tight.
Any probs; drop me a line: mrcmwebb (AT) hotmail (DOT) com
Chris Webb, December 2007
