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.

  • ultimatespleen@lemm.ee
    4·
    1 year ago

    I relate. I like working on my car for similar reasons. As others have touched on, you feel like you’re cheating the system when you do it yourself and save money. Very satisfying.

  • lapislazuli@sopuli.xyz
    3·
    1 year ago

    Congrats, I hope it stays fixed! I can’t repair anything, but I support the movement in principle. I usually try to take good care of the things I own and buy things which with replaceable parts (think headphones) or things which are more ecological (think traditional wet shaving with a DE razor). Actually, come to think of it, I might try to repair my headphones. Something that can’t be replaced broke – part of the headband near the ear cups but I think I can fix it with tape.

      • lapislazuli@sopuli.xyz
        2·
        1 year ago

        Yeah, they’re pretty good! I’ve been shaving with DE razors for two years. But there is a danger of starting to hoard equipment, especially shaving soaps. I currently have five, but I know people who have dozens, even hundreds. Good thing my budget doesn’t allow that… 😅

  • Hoolio679@feddit.nl
    3·
    1 year ago

    I was able to replace a light in the bathroom with an energy saving led version and although the result isn’t perfect it gave me a lot of satisfaction knowing I had succeeded doing that for the first time and saved a few hundred to the electrician.

  • Scrappy Duncan@lemm.ee
    2·
    1 year ago

    All the time. That and maintenance. I got so much joy from finally having the supplies to change my car oil at home.

  • Brad@lemm.eeM
    1·
    1 year ago

    That’s amazing, well done, it’s such a feeling of pride when you fix something yourself, & you learn more about your own applience, & also save yourself a lot of money!

    I agree, I’m also a fan of the right to repair movement!

  • Writerly Gal@lemm.ee
    0·
    1 year ago

    What a great story, and such a cheap fix too.

    The best repair story I have is replacing my top case and battery for my MacBook. I had to replace the top case (As my keyboard was broken) and figured out a new battery would be good too, given that I had to remove it anyway to install the top case. It took me a couple hours (so many screws!) but I did it, and now my 9 year old MacBook is still running rather smoothly.