How to change the door handle on an Indesit washing machine

The door handle is the most vulnerable spot on Indesit washing machines. Just apply too much pressure or pull sharply, and the spring or pin in the locking mechanism will pop out. This will result in a locked tub and the need for repairs. Fortunately, you can remove the blockage, fix the problem, and replace the door handle yourself. Detailed instructions are below.

First you'll have to open the hatch.

A broken handle is both annoying and troublesome, and the first step is to open the door of the machine. First, the latch often fails when attempting to remove laundry after a cycle, leaving the owner worried about laundry remaining locked inside. Second, replacing the faulty part through the wall isn't possible. Therefore, first, let's focus on unlocking the door lock. The easiest way for Indesit machines is to use a rope:

1. We find a long thin cord.
2. We pass it between the door and the body.
3. We pull the ends towards ourselves from both sides.
4. We sort out clean things.

If you don't have a rope handy, try a different approach, accessing the lock from the top or bottom of the machine. In the first case, remove the top cover by unscrewing a few screws at the back. Return to the front of the machine and push the panel away from you until you hear a distinctive click. Next, tilt the body back until the tank moves toward the back wall. All that's left to do is reach into the latch and open the hatch. The second option requires repeating the same steps, but starting with the bottom cover.

We repair without replacing parts

Not every door lock mechanism failure necessarily requires a complete replacement. It's quite possible that the handle broke due to a loose pin, spring, or latch. In such cases, simply tightening and tightening the components is enough to restore the original alignment and ensure smooth opening of the hatch.

To determine the extent of the problem, you must first disassemble the door. Removal follows this procedure:

• we disconnect the machine from the electrical network and turn off the water supply;
• unscrew the two screws holding the door to the machine body;
• we place the removed door on a flat surface so that the glass “looks” upwards;
• we unscrew all the screws located around the entire perimeter;
• we press down all the plastic latches using a flat-head screwdriver;
• We detach the outer part, the glass and put it all aside.

Important! It is recommended to record all manipulations performed on the camera to facilitate reassembly.

The interior remains, where it's easy to find the broken lock. Carefully inspect the handle, especially the metal pin, spring, and plastic tongue. These locking elements should be in place, and any loose parts should be easy to spot and return to their original positions. Then, reassemble the door and test the lock for proper operation.

Changing the handle

When cracked or broken parts are discovered during disassembly, repairs will no longer help. Most often, the plastic tongue or base fails, and you can't buy them separately – you'll have to replace the entire Indesit washing machine opening handle. Any man can do this kind of work.

Some repairmen suggest patching the chips with a soldering iron or replacing the old metal latch with a metal one from a different washing machine model. Handles repaired in this way are not guaranteed to last long or be trouble-free. The lock will need to be replaced soon, so it's best not to delay the inevitable and waste time, effort, and nerves.

A replacement part can be purchased at a service center, but it's cheaper to order a suitable handle online. They typically cost between $2.50 and $4, but more expensive models aren't as durable. Both handles are made of plastic, which is easily damaged by rough handling. The following instructions will help you install the new handle.

1. We remove and disassemble the door according to the previously mentioned diagram.
2. We get to the lock and use a screwdriver to pull the pin to the side.
3. We remove the spring, the tongue and the handle itself one by one.
4. We install the new part into special grooves.
5. We place the spring and tongue in place.

The metal rod is installed last. After securing all the locking mechanism components, check the handle's operation. If it engages smoothly and fully, reassemble the door and return it to the hatch. To do this, slide the front glass under the handle, close it with the outer cover, and press down to engage the latches. All that remains is to tighten all the screws and secure the door to the washing machine body.

   

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