Tips on locked 1950s Hotpoint door latch that won't open.

[santiago]

Was waiting for this day to come. I have a 1955-57 Hotpoint fridge with the u shaped handles. The handle moves but won't unlatch and open the fridge door anymore... and it's full of food
Any tips on how to open it short of a crowbar would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[wayupnorth]

When I was a kid, we had an old Gibson that did that at our families camp. My uncle forced the door open with no damage, removed all the inner latches and replaced it with a big 2 piece magnet so the original handle would be just pulled to open the door and the magnets kept the door closed tight. Was still working fine 30 years later.

 

[combo52]

Try pulling it open it probably will not break any worse

John L

 

[steved]

Maybe it's like a Frigidaire from that period.

I found this regarding Frigidaire Fridges with lever latches. Maybe there is a way to remove the trim so you can access the workings of the door latch and release the door. Is the freezer door still ok?

 

[northwesty]

Look

underneath and see if there is a set-screw. You might have to drill this out and see what happens. I had to do this on my Ge. But I was able to put in new threads and put a slightly bigger set screw in after I fixed it. TAP

 

[iej]

I'm not sure how the mechanism works on those locks, but if it’s anything like a simple front loader washing machine, use a long run of strong fishing line or strimmer (weed whacker) line. Pull it through the door seal and out the top and bottom of the door - you might be best to attach it to two sticks or spoons or something like that at either end to use as handles. Manoeuvre it into contact with the latch and a sharp enough pull should be able to move it.

 

[santiago]

I never responded to this thread. What a jerk I am 2 years late. I was able to pop the door open by chance. I purchased a donor replacement handle from Justin over at Justin vintage 55 restoration. He also had other parts for it. Works beautifully again. Now if I could figure out the problem with the dying freezer.

 

[kalanikaau1]

bad memories

I shiver when I see these types of refrigerator door latches.

As a child the neighborhood kids used to play hide and go seek, my good buddy Eric hid in an abandoned fridge with this latch design.

He was found lifeless by his parents a few hours later, I'll never forget that day...