Dishwasher Door Stuck Closed

[stuckdishes]

We have a portable 18" Kenmore dishwasher that we purchased 2 years ago that we use in our apartment. The model # is inside the dishwasher, but unfortunately the stuck door is preventing us from seeing it. I believe the model number is #461.17352.

Basically the door is a simple latch that snaps close and then you pull the handle towards you to open. It appears something may have broken inside the latch and now it is impossible to open the door.

We have tried everything we could think of to open the door, but aside from using a crowbar or sledge hammer we have run out of ideas. (1/2 our dishes are still trapped inside.)

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[HayZee518]

the door latch is a "toggle over center" type of latch. all this means is that the latch hook travels over the center point to provide an inward pull on the door to seal it against the gasket. short of using a crowbar, take a clothes hanger and straighten it out. form an L shaped bend in one end - leave the tail abour 1/2 inch long. now see if you can work it into the slot at an angle about three inches inward and rotate it ninety degrees. with luck you may be behind the latch bar. pull hard outward at an angle. while pulling the opening handle also. the combined forces may dislodge the latch hook.

[stuckdishes]

Thanks for the suggestion. I used the coat hanger for over an hour, but in the end I had to resort to simple brute force. I took two of the largest flathead screwdrivers I had, slid one on each side of the door and pulled. It managed to pop the latch without happily damaging the door.

Once I had the door open, I was able to remove the top control panel and take a look. Sure enough the two small arms of the plastic handle where it hooks onto the latch had broken.

Now that I can see the model number, I can order a replacement part.

Thank you!