The door lock on a washing machine is sometimes called a door interlock. Understanding how a door lock works helps in deciding if one is faulty or not. I get a lot of people contacting me saying they fitted a new lock and it didn’t fix it so don’t just assume.
When you shut the door, the latch on the door pushes inside the door lock and activates an electrical part inside which locks the door shut. At the same time, power is passed through the door lock on to the rest of the machine. The actual latching shut of the door is a simple spring-loaded mechanism where the latch just slips into the door catch and the door stays closed. Locking the door is a separate process.
How do washing machines lock the door?
Locking the door so it can’t be opened whilst the washer is running is usually achieved using a bi-metal part inside the door lock. I’ve been repairing washing machines for over 30 years and seen many different types of lock some of which do not use a bi-metal device at all. Some (e.g. some old Hotpoint washing machines) had a more sophisticated system that only locked the door when the motor was running and/or there was water inside. It achieved this using a pneumatic device (discussed in part 2). However, the majority of washing machines just use a bi-metal strip inside the door lock, which is cheap and effective.
How does a bi-metal device work?
Two different types of metal with different properties are combined on top of each other. When the door is closed, a connection inside the lock powers an electrical coil wrapped round the bi metal part. This heats up the metal, which then bends. This bending operates the lock and then makes another electrical connection passing power to the rest of the machine. Once power is turned off, the metal strip cools down after a minute or two and straightens back up again releasing the door.
How the door lock passes power on
In this rudimentary diagram you can see how the description above looks.
The red line represents the bi-metal strip and the zig zagged lines between the live and neutral are the coil. Power activates the coil, which heats up the bi-metal part, this then physically bends and pushes the switch to the on position (as well as mechanically locking the door shut). Once this has happened (usually a second or so) power can run around to the common wire at the end, and therefore on to the rest of the machine allowing it to start.
Note: Do not assume anything about the wire connections. They may be in totally different positions on different machines. Unless the connections are marked Live Neutral and Common you would need to work it all out with a continuity test meter. If you get the wires the wrong way round you can blow the device. You may even blow the main PCB. It may be possible for a fourth wire on some variants to carry power to an LED which may indicate that the door is closed and the lock activated.
How can you tell if a door lock is faulty?
There isn’t a simple test, although you may be able to get a resistance reading between the live and neutral which should measure the small coil. You might expect to get a resistance reading of something like 1000 Ohm. As with most fault diagnosis it’s mostly a matter of the process of elimination, observation and previous experience. But as my opening paragraph states, if you understand exactly how something works you are much more likely to be able to diagnose why it’s not working.
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Forbes specialise in renting Bosch appliances so they know them inside out. They also rent other brands and many other products – more details
Faults to look out for
First, the obvious. Are there any connection faults on it? Wires can come loose, or overheat and burn. A lack of power, neutral return, an open circuit coil, or even the door latch not properly activating an otherwise perfectly functioning door lock can all cause faults.
Anomalies to be aware of
Historically virtually all UK washing machines have used this system. However it seems that some washing machines have now involved a relay built into the PCB that can cause the door lock to click but not lock. See this thread – Bosch WVG30461GB/01 won’t lock and start
A fault inside the main PCB, or even an open circuit motor or heating element on some washing machines can result (bizarrely) in the door lock activating and locking with displays and lights coming on but washer will not do anything at all. Some Hotpoint and Indesit machines have this anomaly.
Different types of door lock
The most common type by far is the simple bi metal device described above, usually with three wires (see photo). They differ in size, shape and colour – see Ransom Spares Door locks section so see what they look like (or buy).
Buy a new door lock
Ransom Spares door parts Door locks section
Be Safe: Don’t risk it
If you aren’t experienced and trained for working on electrical and mechanical appliances you should probably book an appliance engineer.
Even if experienced, please take a moment to check out my DIY repair safety advice, which not only covers electrical safety but has tips and advice that you may be less aware of too. Don’t be complacent.
Read Part 2
NOTE: Not all door locks are the same. This subject continues on another page where it looks at Different types of door locks
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Washing Machine Door Will Not Open
Our mischievous springer spaniel ate her way into the washer dryer and managed to bite the wires out of the door lock?!?
I’ve got a new lock and have taken off the old one but as the wires were torn out of the old one I’ve no idea which colour out of the three: red, green, and white, go into which of the connectors numbered 1, 3, and 2.
My machine is a Hoover vh w654d-80.
Any help would be much appreciated as I’ve searched you tube but all the videos show an intact wiring block.
Many thanks
Hello Jonathan. Unfortunately wiring diagrams are not commonly available apart from to the trade and to be honest many people in the trade don’t even bother with them because you very seldom need a wiring diagram to repair washing machines any more. My article above describes how to work out which wire goes where but you need a certain amount of knowledge and a continuity test meter to work it out. If you are very lucky someone somewhere may have the wiring diagram but if you can’t work it out yourself that is your only hope as opposed to getting out an engineer. Clearly you can’t guess because it may short out the whole machine.
It’s very lucky the dog didn’t electrocute itself.
Hi, my door wont close and lock Reading ur previous comments I think the door has dropped and so the latch ia not in the right position to activate the door lock. What do I need to do to the door to get it back in the right position?
If the door has dropped it’s most likely wear in the door itself where it attaches to the hinge as it’s usually plastic. If the door hinge is broken or somehow bent though that would also account for it. The door would need removing to inspect everything.