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.

  • As an autistic person I like to minimise change. I’m also good at learning how different appliances/equipment works and how to repair it. So I always try to repair things first before replacing them. I get the double satisfaction of not wasting an otherwise perfectly good appliance and also getting to keep the appliance that I am familiar with and like instead of having to try to find a different one.