How to Repair Your Toaster By Your Self

First serie of this article locate at: DIY: Repair a Toaster -1

If the toaster doesn’t heat, make sure the power cord running into the toaster is properly connected to the terminals inside the toaster housing. Also check the heating element contact points; these points must touch for the elements to heat. If the points are out of alignment, push them back into position with needle-nosed pliers; or, if the bimetallic strip is exposed, turn the adjustment screw near the strip. To test alignment, push the control lever down, the contact points should touch. Also check the solenoid contacts; clean them with a fine emery board or an artists’ brush.

The no-heat problem can also be caused by a bad heating element. Unscrew the small metal strip holding the elements in place. If lock tabs are used to hold the individual elements in position, bend these tabs straight with needle-nosed pliers, and then slide the element off the tabs. Replace the element with a new one made for the toaster.

If the toast doesn’t pop up out of the toaster, examine the return spring close to the lever. If the spring has slipped out of its holes on the top or bottom, reconnect it. If the spring is badly stretched or broken, replace it with a new spring; fit the spring into the top and bottom holes where the old one was.

Pop-up problems can also be caused by dirty or out-of-alignment solenoid contacts. Clean the contacts where they touch with a fine emery board; if they’ve moved out of position, reposition them with needle-nosed pliers. If this doesn’t work, and you can unscrew or unplug the solenoid, replace it with a new solenoid made for the toaster.

Make sure that the trip lever and / or latch is operating smoothly. If it sticks, lubricate the lever or latch with silicone lubricant or heat resistant oil; fill any oil holes with the lubricant or apply it at all joints.