Morning, new user, please go easy on me.
We have a bread maker - this is our 2nd bread maker, our first was a cheap Argos one which we got second hand from a friend for £10 - used once but they didn't get on with it (probably because they'd put the paddle in upside down, and scratched the pan to buggery!) - it lasted us for about 9 years.
The second one we saved up some John Lewis vouchers and got a Morphy Richards - not sure off the top of my head the model. but that has worked for about 3 years till recently it started playing up. sometimes it just won't power up. we plug it in, and no lights come on. I've taken it apart and looked for anything obvious like a loose wire or connection but nothing obvious. Then it switches on randomly at some point. once on, it's fine and works brilliantly.
I'm after advice on how to fix it, or how to figure out what is actually wrong.
Thanks in advance
Never used a machine, but first thing to check would be a fuse. May be in the plug itself. Sometimes they can look ok but are not. Enjoy!
As Phaz says, it may be in the plug, or the wire from the plug to the machine. Since you say that on occassion it comes on and works, it is unlikely that it is a burned out fuse, but the fuse, or any other connection, could be loose. I would start by plugging it in, and turning it on, then starting from the plug, twist it a bit, and see if it comes on, if not , go up a little on on the cord and bend it back and forth, and keep doing that all the way till you get to the machine, and you may even want to tug it gently. In the states, we have certain circuits that are protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters - called GFCI, and I would be using that type of outlet ( it may also be called a RCD ) it won't completely protect you from a shock , but should reduce the risk a little. If you have a ohm meter, you can do a similar check in complete safety by unplugging the machine, and connecting the probes to the plug and the internals of the machine and bend the cord back and forth to see if the readings change. As you point out, it could also be an internal component which is loose, but that will be very hard to find without test equipment and some luck.
thanks both. it's not the fuse, and I don't think it's the wire from the plug to the machine, but will check next time.
I have plenty of times when I've needed a circuit test, or multi-meter so might ask for one for my birthday or Christmas.
if it's the wire at the plug I can just put a new plug on or adjust the current one, that's fine.
thanks again.
There should be a strain relief "fitting" on the wire at the point of passage through the machine case. You said you have already taken the machine apart so if the close inspection of the wire does not yield a solution, try taking it apart again. Remove the strain relief and shorten the wire enough that you can remove the section that goes through the strain relief and reattach the power connections. Put it all back together with the strain relief in a new spot on the wire. I've had to do this with an occasional appliance that is heavily used in our kitchen that misbehaved as yours is. It may be worth a try if you are still having trouble with it.
Best of luck
OldWoodenSpoon
Well I think we might have a winner!
last night I got the bread maker out to make a loaf overnight, and as expected, it didn't come on straight away, so I got the screwdriver out, and undid the screws holding the restraining clip in place. you can tilt it diagonally and there's enough slack to remove just that bit. I undid the screw holding the clip onto the wire, and jiggled it until it was loose and I could move it along the wire, and as I did so the machine switched on (I forgot to switch off and unplug...!). then it worked, so hopefully problem solved! Thanks!
You may still have to take it apart, eventually, to remove the broken section of the cord. I'd recommend that you do it sooner, rather than later because there is definitely a broken wire in the cord. We know this because this fix did work.
The break in the wire will form a "resistance point" that will generate heat. That in itself is not a good thing. It can also come apart again and stop the machine in mid cycle (in the middle of the night?), which would also be not good. It is something for you to consider at least, but in any case you now know what the problem is.
Enjoy the bread! :)
OldWoodenSpoon
Now that sounds like a good idea! There is indeed a bit of plastic holding the wire/cable so that it doesn't pull/stretch etc. so maybe this is pinching the wire somehow... I'll definitely check that out next time.
I used it again last night and it didn't come on, so I made up the ingredients anyway, stood looking at it for 5 minutes and as I turned round, about to give up and go to bed, I heard the bleeps, and the lights came on. I was able to set it to the right program, set the delay and go to bed knowing that it would work, and it did. nice fresh bread this morning.
I will defo check the strain relief clip though.