TRICITY BENDIX 800 - DOOR STUCK

[Diwali]

I have a Tricity Bendix 800 with a full load and the door won't open! Are there any experts out there who can help me? Unfortunately there is no manual available (it was 'filed' and has not been seen since!). I am considering removing the casing to try and release the door catch from inside - unless someone has a better idea. Hope so.
Regards. Dai

 

[bpetersxx]

Robert should have a trick or two up his sleeve on this

 

[foraloysius]

This is a European frontloader. It might be a problem with the safety device. I don't think those washers came with a mechanism to unlock it otherwise.

 

[lavamat_jon]

Dai,

Try searching for your model on the Service Force instruction manual search - they have all manual on archive from the mid 70s, so your model should be on here. If you can't find anything to help you, browse the Service Force site, find out where your local centre is and get them to come look at it.

If your machine has a drain filter, try emptying the water manually out of this (have a lot of towels about as this can be a messy job, and have a large but shallow enough container to catch the water). There may be a drain fault, and with some Elux produced machines if there is water in the machine it won't allow the interlock to open the door lock. I doubt your machine has an electromechanical door lock, so there probably isn't any way of manually opening the door otherwise.

Hope this helps

Jon

http://www.serviceforce.co.uk/pdf_search.asp

 

[kenmore1978]

stuck door

So what was the outcome?

 

[westytoploader]

So what was the outcome?

The person's probably busy and doesn't have time to post; give them a break.

 

[kenmore1978]

Hopefully

it didn't turn into too much of a wet disaster.

 

[MrX]

Door opening trick

Cheaper european machines use a bimetalic strip based mechanism to lock the door. Basically, it heats up and pushes a lock into position to keep the door shut.

Once the door's locked the lock requires 2 to 3 mins at the end of the cycle to release the door. (i.e. the bimetalic strip cools)

Occasionally, the mechanism becomes sticky. I'd suggest you use your hand and bang the washer repeatedly and fairly sharply on the case just beside the door handle. This can shake a jammed lock loose!

Higher quality machines use proper electronic locking mechanisms and don't suffer from this time delay nor do they jam as easily!

Unfortunately poor quality door catches and locks are a feature of cheap "disposable" washers!

 

[westytoploader]

I like the Westinghouse FL's solenoid-controlled door lock (though that will soon be disconnected in the near future...). No waiting, and you can watch the spinning tub with the door open if you turn the timer to "Off" in the middle of spin (no brake).

 

[MrX]

There's very little point in having a break on a European front loader as the spin can be up to 1800 RPM. It's simply be another part to wear out.

Cheap machines use the lock as describe above. Better quality models use a much more sophisitacated mechanism.

E.g. Miele's lock only locks the door when it's necessary under the following conditions:

1) If the wash temprature is hot enough to be dangerous (it could be 60 to 95C [nearly boiling])
2) If the water level is above the height of the door (E.g. during high level rinsing or some delicates cycles where the water level is raised to about 1/3rd way up the door glass.)
3) If the machine is spinning / still rotating after a spin.
4) If the parental lock is put on (you hold the start button for 3 seconds and it will ignore all other commands including door opening until the end of the cycle unless the wash is cancled)

You can open the door during the wash to add forgotten items at any time. The waterlevel is below the door, the wash pauses and resumes once you close the door again.

To open the machine during the wash press and hold the door button. Once the washing has stopped tumbling it will pop open. This prevents accidental opening / kids opening the machine and disrupting the wash.

You can open the door immediately at the end of the wash once the drum has stopped rotating.

 

[kenmore1978]

stuck door

Hopefully the door isn't STILL stuck.....

 

[Theforge]

Emergency Door release

Hello folks,
If the model in question is a Bendix 7148 you will find an emergency release behind the lint filter door. Open the lint filter door and on the upper right near the hinge you will see a star screw with a nylon cord attached simply pull this cord and the door should open. This applies only to Philco Bendix models 7148 and 7168 and not to the newer Tricity Bendix models.
I hope this helps.