Maytag Neptune MAH6500 door lock problem

[norgechef]

Out of curiosity I wanted to see what was going on inside my Neptune since there is no window in the door. I looked into the door lock area with a flashlight and tried to imagine what happens when the door is closed that triggers the switch, so I took a screwdriver and pushed up on the white plastic piece with the spring on top of it and after I pushed it so far I heard a click, and the white plastic piece will not move out of that position.

I was able to see the machine working with the door open after this but now the door will not close the whole way for me to do actual loads of laundry so I am unsure how to get the plastic piece to unlock so it will go back into the open position to allow the silver piece on the door to slide in like it's supposed to. Anyone know how I might release the plastic latch thingy?

 

[countryguy]

Did the cycle complete so that the door switch would unlock? Have you tried unplugging the machine for a few minutes and then plugging back in?

 

[yogitunes]

been there, if I remember correctly, unplug it for about an hour or so, it should reset.....

or look inside the dispenser, near the front, there should be a green cable, somewhat hidden, THAT's the emergency door release.....pull this, and it should pop that lock out for you...

next time....get a windowed door.....just joking.....lol

 

[norgechef]

Well...

I've taken it apart and pulled the green cable you speak of and it still will not release, I'm thinking of just cutting the plastic piece off somehow so the piece on the door will just slide in if the unplugging it for an hour doesn't work. I am also seeing now that the red tipped wax motor is still in place and I think i'll just leave it to avoid the extra hassle. Besides, when it does decide to stop working its not that expensive to order a control board and new wax motor off ebay. I thought the red tipped wax motor was phased out when the MAH5500's came out and the controls became electronic. I did not know that they were still being put into the Neptune's in 2003.

Another issue I have with this washer is how moldy it smells, ever since I got it now matter how much I clean it or how many different methods of cleaning I try the smell will not go away. I suspect there is a buildup of mold somewhere inside (not visible on the gray door seal or dispenser area), but since the bearings will probably need to be replaced in the next couple years anyway i'll just let it stink until I get the chance to clean it out.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[washdaddy]

Martin-
I'm curious- did you just sit the window door in place and leave the regular door attached to its hinges in the pic that you posted? If you did, would the door stay in place and allow the machine to work ok without being attached to the hinges?
I know that if it did it would essentially give you the capability of popping that door on your other Neptunes to watch or check them as well.

Just wondering-

Rick

 

[yogitunes]

you got me lost somewhere.....the 6500 is the same as the 5500, with the exception of a internal heater.....

wax motor locking systems were on the 3000 and 4000 series only that I know of....

5500 on up used a solenoid activated locking mechanism......

for the most part, your door is open, you can always take out the screws, remove the front and lift the top, and move these levers by hand....

that windowed door is a makeshift unit I did, not plexiglass yet, but yes, it can pop onto any 5500/6500 machine I have at any given moment(did I mention I have 6 sets)...and stay in place without the hinges, and of course will lock in place...unfortunately the light goes out when in place....you could even just use a cut out of the top part of the door, as long as the clip goes into the lock, and presses against the door switch, it will work just the same....

 

[norgechef]

It's not resetting

Where do I go from here? I already took it apart and messed with the little red thing with the spring on it, the one that turns the door lock light on and off, but other than that I don't know what else will make it unlock. When I turn the washer on to run a cycle, I can hear the door lock lock just like it normally would, except the plastic piece is not moving at all. It will run a cycle with the door open just fine but with my hard wood floors I doubt that would be a good idea...lol.

And your probably right about the wax motor, it just looks like there is a red tip sticking out where the tub light is.

 

[norgechef]

.

If you can see it in the picture, the piece i'm talking about is directly in the center of the door lock mechanism and it will not budge, except a teensy bit in the lock direction if you move it by hand, but it will not move in the other direction at all, even when I pull the green cord to release it.

 

[yogitunes]

what you need to do is with the machine open....on the left it a red toggle for the solenoid activated lock, the top portion has to be towards the right which will allow the bottom white plastic slide to un-lock.....thats all the pull cord controls....

then your gonna need something to resemble the loop piece of the door that goes into this slot, a bend coat hanger or pick with a hook end, an allen wrench of proper size will work as well with a pair of vice grips, reach in and insert into the opening in the back, and pull forward....this should open the spring loaded part that holds the door shut....

normally when I would override the door, I used a coathanger bent into a loop to fit the slot, pushed it in to run the machine, and then used it to pull back out and reset the spring loaded clamp...

you need this mechanism unlocked, and open in order to close your door and run as normal again....

 

[norgechef]

I would have never though of that!

I was just about to do something drastic but the clothes hanger trick worked, thanks for the tip.

 

[tecnopolis]

Same release cord, although yours may be florescent green like mine.

 

[tecnopolis]

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