My Sunbeam Radiant Control toaster VT 40-1 will toast , cuts off and toast rises but immediately the toast descends to toast again. It again rises to go down again - and again. I have adjusted the screw under the crumb tray to no avail. Are my corrections not right? Is an adjustment necessary on the screw on the side which has entrance through the small square hole?

John Springer, August 2009

You will have to dismantle the toaster for this one. It really IS a job for a competent appliance repairman.
These toasters are GREAT and very repairable.
Apart from physical damage or a blown element, most repairs are only minor adjustments or cleaning contacts.
This fault is the contact toggle mechanism (operated by that "W" shaped wire in the "one slice only" side) is jamming. Possibly by a peice of crumb etc.
You could try a good clean (take the toaster outside and invert it. Shake vigourously).

Jeff, December 2009