Hotpoint FF200E: Broken dial - Freezer stuck in 0 degree 'safety mode'.

[cestewart]

Hi

I have a Hotpoint FF200EG, it's about 2 1/2 years old.

The freezer door was left ajar, the temperature rose, the freezer contents started to thaw - and the audible alarm eventually triggered.

Opening and closing the door stopped the alarm beeping, but the freezer stayed in 'emergency mode' - lingering at around zero degrees C 'to prevent the contents refreezing' (quoted from manual).

The manual states that normal operation can be resumed by turning the freezer control dial off and on again.

My problem? The freezer control dial is broken - it turns freely, but doesn't seem to be connected properly to the potentiometer behind. I'm stuck with the freezer in 'emergency mode' with no way of resetting it. Things are nominally frozen at zero degrees - but apparently not to a deep-freeze temperature.

My questions?
1) Does anyone know another way of tricking the unit back into normal freezer mode?
2) Is it a straightforward job to remove and replace the control panel (or part of it) - or should I pay the Hotpointers/an engineer to come and do it. I'm no electrician, but I've had a sneaky look behind the panel and it looks like it might be pretty 'plug-and-play' - not unlike plugging components into a PC (of which I've done lots).

Any thoughts or guidance gratefully received!

Many thanks

Chris

[taz24]

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Turn it off and on again at the mains???


All the best

taz

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[cestewart]

Hi Taz,

A wise suggestion - and the first thing I tried! Sadly, didn't work. If only life could be so simple...

Chris

[install monkey]

normally the poteniometer can be adjusted with a small terminal driver

[cestewart]

Thanks Install Monkey. I'll open it up and take a better look - hopefully that's an option.

Chris

[taz24]

Hi Taz,

A wise suggestion - and the first thing I tried! Sadly, didn't work. If only life could be so simple...

Chris

Oh well thats the sum of my knowlege regards electronics.

Try this


Hammer.jpg




Don't think I'm helping much eh

All the best though

taz

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[cestewart]

I sorted it once I plucked up the courage to whip the door and control panel off. No hammer required - just 10 minutes, a pair of tweezers and a pen lid. Hugely preferable to Hotpoint's £79 quote.

Thanks for your help anyway!

[taz24]

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I'm gld you sorted it out.

All the best

taz

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[Simeonx1]

wow i was about to say hammer to ha .