The door handle is standing at 45 degrees to the door with the door in the closed position. I can not open the door to repair it. Can anyone suggest how this should be done?

Jon Simcock, January 2009

Well done Jack (of all trades)! I tried the string and it worked!

So how do I fix the handle now so that when you pull the handle it releases the latch? At the moment if I close the door again we will be back to square one.

magbo, November 2013

If it's just the door catch broken (the plastic behind), which it was on mine, just use some string. Loop the string around the whole of the door, push it into the gap so it goes inside, hold the two ends and pull towards you. What will happen is that the string will pull on the latch and release it - Bingo!

Jack (of all trades), October 2010

MAKE SURE THE MAINS ARE OFF. With the top off lean the machine back against the wall so the drum moves backward. Use a torch and look in at the mechanism then push the door in further. You should see the catch end moving, now you you know where to put your hand to move the latch hook to the left so the door springs open. (Try not to scrape too much skin off the back of your hand!)

MW, March 2009

Remove machine top, try to activate door catch from inside the machine. If all else fails, the interlock itself may be faulty and will have to be broken open. A replacement interlock unit and/or catch will of course be required. Typical interlock replacement: Power off, remove mains plug. Remove the plastic band that holds the rubber door seal to the front cabinet. Un-hook the rubber gasket from cabinet lip on the door lock side. Put your hand in and hold the door lock whilst removing the 2 screws you can see from the front. There might be a pressure pipe attached to the lock, if so, just pull it off. Make a note of the position of the connectors and disconnect wiring. Refitting is, as they say, a reversal of the above process.

Repair and service your own washing machine. Go to www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html

Spares suppliers:
http://www.easyspares.co.uk/
www.4directelectricals.co.uk
http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk
www.ukapplianceparts.com
http://www.domesticspares.co.uk
http://shop.ezee-fix.co.uk
http://www.espares.co.uk
or simply go into google and type in "washing machine spare parts" - selecting "pages from uk".

dannyboy, January 2009