Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

[pulck]

After completing a washing and drying cycle, the door no longer opens and my washing is stuck inside. The handle feels slack.

I tried running a drain cycle and waiting. The door still wouldn’t open (despite the lock light turning off).

Then I looked at the manual, which said to yank a plastic tab next to the filter to manually open to door. This didn’t work.

I tried the string-behind-the-door trick. No good.

I then turned machine off at the mains, drained it and took the lid off the top. I then pushed the latch mechanism from the inside with a screwdriver. This still doesn’t work, despite applying plenty of force.

I’m lost! Is there another mechanism keeping the door locked?

Any help appreciated!

[electrofix]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

no but since you have been playing door may still be locked

select a pump only cycle start it and let it finish (listen for door lock going clunk)

then turn off and unplug reach down inside behind the door lock. feel for the metal hook that is on the door. push it to the left ( i normally use a small screwdriver or a 2 inch screw to help) its quite stiif as you are pushing against a spring

once the door is open dont close again. it will be the door handle in the door that needs replacing

dave

[pulck]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

Thanks, Dave.

I managed to open it in the end. I discovered there’s a button you have to push down on top of the door lock mechanism at the same time as pushing the latch.

You’re right – the door handle was broken, which I suppose I can replace easily enough.

However, now the machine not turning on! When I push the on button it just buzzes loudly and then does nothing (no on light).

Does this mean that the PCB has gone? Time for a new machine?

[electrofix]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

could be the pcb units on these machines are live 24 hours a day so tend to go
as a long shot
turn off at plug
find the wire that connects to front panel from the main board below
remove it ans replace it to clean contacts

switch on and try again

just thought it may have got disturbed with your hands inside

Dave

[pulck]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

Thanks for your reply, Dave.

I tried to follow what you said: I removed the red cable from the front panel – on the right-hand side of this photo…

Then I replaced the cable and switched on at the mains. Immediately, without even touching the on/off button, the machine buzzed loudly for about 5 seconds. It’s not an electronic sound, more like a loud mechanical whirring noise. But the machine does not switch on – no lights will illuminate.

How can I tell if it is the PCB that’s gone? And if it is, can I replace this myself (I can see a refurbished replacement PCB on eBay for about £40) or should I be getting a professional to do the job? (Hotpoint are asking £120 just for call-out, so we’re probably looking at more than £200 to fix this.)

Or should I just give up on this machine?

[pulck]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

Just had another thought…

Could it be the door mechanism itself which is causing the problem? Presumably there is an electromagnet which locks/unlocks the door. If this is broken (I may have damaged it trying to get the machine open) would it cause the buzzing noise? And would that cause a safety cut-off to kick in and stop the machine switching on properly?

[electrofix]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

one of the problems with these boards is there are 2 of them. so 1 or both may be faulty. if its under 5 years you may be able to claim on the 5 years parts warrenty (but you have to pay hotponts labour charge) or send both boards to http://www.emwelec.co.uk/
they can then test and repair as a pair

Dave

[pulck]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

In your opinion, is it worth trying to fix this?

We inherited the machine when we bought the house and I have no idea how old it is.

I’m tempted to be damned with it and buy a Miele, rather than spend a few hundred and a lot of energy trying to get to the bottom of the problem.

Does that sound lazy?

[iadom]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

A Miele to replace an Indesit made machine, that’s not lazy, possibly the best decision you will make this year for certain. 😉

[Andy jones]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

Makes perfect sense

[pulck]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

I’ve almost got my credit card out!

Just one thing… the old machine is integrated. Miele appear to make only 1 or 2 integrated models and they’re a lot more expensive than, say, the WDA210.

So is it okay to put a free-standing machine in the place of an integrated one?

[iadom]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

Apart from not being able to refit the door/decor panel, as long as it fits in the hole then other than aesthetics no problem at all.

[pulck]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

Thanks. That’s me pretty much decided, then.

What is the accepted thinking on which are the best value Miele models? (Should I start a different thread on this?)

I was considering the WDA210 because it is not astronomically priced (compared to their top-end models) and because Miele are currently extending the warranty to 10 years on this model.

[iadom]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

They are all made to a high standard, if you can get a ten year warranty on that model and its features suit your purpose why not. Just do a comparison on spin speeds etc. Any load size over 6kg is unnecessary TBH.

[pulck]

Re: Hotpoint BHWD129 washer dryer – door stuck

Thanks for your reply.

Turns out the freestanding machine I was looking at won’t fit in my kitchen unit (and the only integrated model Miele make is over £1300)… so back to the drawing board.

[Author]

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