The Bosch dishwasher door won't close.

When the door of a Bosch dishwasher won't close, many users think replacing the lock is the only solution. This is a one-size-fits-all solution that will definitely solve the problem. However, a replacement lock can cost up to $40, plus a technician's service fee of $20–$30, and not everyone is willing to pay that kind of expense.

Sometimes there's a better way out of a situation, without investing in anything. We'll figure out why the door won't close and how to fix the lock. We'll also explain when a latch replacement might be necessary.

We repair the dishwasher locking mechanism

The dishwasher door is secured with a special lock. Sometimes this device completely or partially fails. If the locking mechanism is not working, the machine cannot be used, so the locking mechanism must be repaired or replaced quickly.

It's not always possible to repair a dishwasher's lock. Modern Bosch dishwashers have specially designed locking mechanisms that cannot be repaired if damaged. Such locking mechanisms will have to be completely replaced.

The locking mechanisms found in earlier Bosch models are quite repairable. They feature a plastic housing that conceals the latch, sensor, and locking pins. These mechanisms are not entirely reliable—parts of the lock easily break if the dishwasher door is closed carelessly.

If your Bosch dishwasher is equipped with such a lock, you can try to repair the lock. Upon inspection, you will see broken parts. These will need to be repaired.

Sometimes the problem is that the locking lever doesn't engage fully when pressed. This prevents the door from closing. In this case, you can try the following, unusual method: take a dropper, cut a piece of it to the required size, and simply attach it to the lever. After this, it will close the dishwasher door.

Sometimes the locking pins on plastic locks break. You can try repairing them at home. To do this:

• unscrew the front panel of the dishwasher door (if a front panel is installed instead, remove it);
• disconnect the power wires from the lock;
• unscrew the bolts securing the lock and remove the locking mechanism;
• cut a metal strip of the required size from a 0.3 mm thick steel sheet;
• drill holes for small screws on both edges of the plate;
• bend the metal strip so that it stands across the broken fasteners on which the antennae previously stood;
• screw the steel plate to the plastic lock body;
• Put the lock back, connect the wires to it and check if the door closes.

Sometimes the locks on Bosch dishwashers simply become dislodged, preventing the door from closing. In this case, you need to unscrew the locking pin, return the appliance to its original location, and secure it securely.

It is not always possible to repair the dishwasher lock; in some cases, the locking mechanism will need to be replaced.

Changing a dishwasher lock doesn't require any special skills. Anyone can handle this task. Let's figure out how to install a new lock on a dishwasher.

How to replace a faulty lock?

To begin repairing a Bosch dishwasher, you must first remove the door. Unscrew all the screws around the door panel and carefully remove it. Before doing this, take a photo of the wiring diagram to avoid mistakes during reassembly.

To remove the lock, you need to unscrew the two cross-head bolts that secure the blocker.

Once dismantling is complete, secure the new lock to its mounting location in the same manner. Then, reconnect the wiring and reinstall the door. Next, test the operation of the locking mechanism.

There are three types of locks found on Bosch dishwashers:

• simple electromagnetic, found on earlier models of dishwashers, produces a soft click when triggered;
• Thermal lock – the device closes silently, the dishwasher door is locked after the mechanism plates heat up;
• Combination – these are the locks that are most often installed nowadays, combining elements of the two previous blockers.

Therefore, before purchasing, it is better to dismantle the old lock and take it to the store with you; then it will be easier for the seller to find an equivalent. When ordering a blocker online, choose a device that matches your dishwasher model. Bosch.

As you can see, replacing a dishwasher lock isn't particularly difficult. The only tool you'll need is a Phillips-head screwdriver. The entire job should take no more than 15-20 minutes.

   

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