Our washing machine broke last week and the first thought was to buy a replacement but I wanted to at least attempt a repair first.
The machine would still fill and empty water, but the dishes remained dry and there was a burning smell. So, I unplugged it, tipped it over and popped open the bottom cover.
Aside from the controller, the dishwasher was very simple: a drainage pump, a circulation pump, a heating element and some solenoid valves. A multimeter showed the (main suspect) circulation pump still had continuity which narrowed the search down to the pump’s starting capacitor. Seven euros and a few days later and it’s back in action!
The simple fix really gave me a sense of joy and satisfaction. It feels great to extend the use of something that I already have rather than need to consume more.
Can anyone relate? Any good repair stories?
I’m a big fan of the right to repair movement.
My knowledge of some things is quite limited, but I love a repair when I can do one. The dishwasher fix sounds quite complex to me, so kudos for being able to sort that!
Usually for me they’re quite little, like fixing a button on the dryer (a plastic dobber snapped and became lose, not having the rigidity to press). A bit of superglue and it works fine.
Similarly, things like u-bend replacements, light pendants being changed, dowels put into loose cupboard screw holes and re-drilled.
All quite low level stuff, but it is satisfying to do it all for a fraction of the cost of professional repair or replacement.