Difficulty
Easy
Steps
4
Time Required
15 - 20 minutes
Sections
1
- Repairing Door Interlock Metalflex ZV-446
- 4 steps
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Introduction
Note: Another trouble with the interlock (experienced in another device, but similar symptoms) was caused by displacement of the axis which the lock catch swings on. The round front door was disassembled (screws and plastic latches), the axis was put in its place and fastened with glue.
What you need
Step 1
Repairing Door Interlock Metalflex ZV-446
- Remove the door interlock from your device. On my washing machine I had to remove the rubber-lid and loosen two screws. Than the interlock came of with a 3-pol cable attached. On the backside was a plastic plate which had to be unscrewed, too.
Remove the door interlock from your device. On my washing machine I had to remove the rubber-lid and loosen two screws. Than the interlock came of with a 3-pol cable attached. On the backside was a plastic plate which had to be unscrewed, too.
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Step 2
- Pull of the plug and remove the red cover arround the contacts. It is held with two snap-in connectors and its pretty tight (dont destroy the contact cover). Use a small flathead screwdriver to push the hooks away.
- Remove the top of the red housing. There are six snap-ins to open. Make shure you have removed the contact cover first! Again this is best done with a small flathead screwdriver or blade.
Pull of the plug and remove the red cover arround the contacts. It is held with two snap-in connectors and its pretty tight (dont destroy the contact cover). Use a small flathead screwdriver to push the hooks away.
Remove the top of the red housing. There are six snap-ins to open. Make shure you have removed the contact cover first! Again this is best done with a small flathead screwdriver or blade.
Step 3
- The center contact is common for the switch an the relais. The right one goes to the coil and is for the relais-function of the interlock.
- The left one is from the door switch. This is what malfunctioned on my washing machine.
The center contact is common for the switch an the relais. The right one goes to the coil and is for the relais-function of the interlock.
The left one is from the door switch. This is what malfunctioned on my washing machine.
Step 4
- The arrow points the contact of the switch. My machine stopped working because the door switch did not work properly. The machine never detected a closed door and hence never started wasching.
- When the switch closes the copper plate with the arrow in the picture moves down. Underneath ends the switchcontact from outside. It can be removed from the plastic housing. You should gently bend up the copper plate with the arrow. Once removed you can clean the contact area of the bottom switch contact.
- In my case nailpolish remover did not work, so I scratched the dirt off with a blade. I dont see a way to clean the top contact of the switch, because the copperplate is not removeble. For my switch cleaning the bottom contact was sufficient to get the washing machine working!
The arrow points the contact of the switch. My machine stopped working because the door switch did not work properly. The machine never detected a closed door and hence never started wasching.
When the switch closes the copper plate with the arrow in the picture moves down. Underneath ends the switchcontact from outside. It can be removed from the plastic housing. You should gently bend up the copper plate with the arrow. Once removed you can clean the contact area of the bottom switch contact.
In my case nailpolish remover did not work, so I scratched the dirt off with a blade. I dont see a way to clean the top contact of the switch, because the copperplate is not removeble. For my switch cleaning the bottom contact was sufficient to get the washing machine working!
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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Ludwig
Member since: 05/03/2013
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toy - Mar 22, 2015
Reply
have problems to build the metal flex 446 back together
Tone Bone Charles - Jul 19, 2015
Reply
Thank you very much for your guidance here.
It has made things so much easier for me in my travails with our misbehaving washing machine and its faulty door-switch!
totor - Aug 18, 2016
Reply
Thank you a lot Ludwig, it worked perfectly with my ill machine as well! You offered us a great guide. Cheers!
Stephane - Sep 8, 2016
Reply
Thank you so much. Before reading your amazing technique, I disconnected the device and connected the two cables corresponding to the letters L and C (‘Switch’ and ‘Common’ in your pictures). The machine worked again, but without door locking security. Thank to you I didn’t have to buy a new device. Cheers! from Paris
Michael Orman - Dec 22, 2016
Reply
These locks are not usually all that expensive in the UK, though for some makes e.g. Whirlpool & Miele they are. Make certain that 1) the locking mechanism is working after you re-assemble and that 2) the machine will not operate with the door open. There have been instances of injury caused, especially to inquisitive children - one of whom lost an arm. The drum moves with a very high torque. A more common fault is that the contacts to the little disc heater (what you called a relay) get oxidised and either the heater won’t operate the bi-metallic disc or the plastic gets carbonised and a short circuit is created which can also cause the timer / module to be damaged. For the latter reason, it’s best to change the lock soon after it starts to play up.
