My maytag neptune front load washer won't unlock. I may have to replace the wax motor per so many other blogs. I may be able to get to it in two days. Meanwhile, I have expensive clothes locked inside my washer that I wish to remove so that they do not mold as the wash cycle began before the door locked on me. How do I unlock the washer so I can remove my clothes? Is there a manual means of superceding the lock?

The wax motor needs to be replaced and the control board requires repair or replacement should your Maytag Neptune Front Load Washer fails to advance to the high speed spin cycle and the "door locked" light is not turned on. This is a common issue that led the filing of a class suit against Maytag Corporation in 2004. Disconnect power to the machine prior to servicing to avoid the risk of electric shock that can lead to physical injury, disability, and even death.

Access to the wax motor for replacement requires the removal of the front panel and the top cover. Once the two are removed, disconnect the wires from wax motor terminals then pry the spring clip off and take the wax motor out. Take note of the wax motor position before removing it from the door latch assembly to make sure you fit the new wax motor properly later on. One simple and effective way to do it is by taking a picture of the door latch assembly prior to removal of any component.

Fit in the new wax motor and make sure the shaft is properly seated into the slot provided on the latch axle and secure it firmly with the spring clip provided. Reinstall the top cover and the front panel back into position once the wax motor is properly installed.

A class suit was filed in the State of Illinois, USA and then later on won against Maytag in 2004 due to the high failure rate of the wax motor used in the door lock mechanism of their Neptune Front Load Washers. The wax motor is used to activate the door lock switch by extending its shaft when a voltage from the machine control is applied across its terminals. Its failure then leads to the breaking down of components in the expensive machine control board. This is the fact that angered the customers which led to the filing of the class suit.

The obvious symptom of a failed wax motor is the inability of the washer to advance to the spin cycle and the door lock lamp is not turned on. The washer stops momentarily at the end of the wash cycle then continue to tumble as the machine control checks the activation of the door lock switch. The control will not allow a spin speed higher than 51 revolutions per minute (RPM) unless the door lock switch is activated by the wax motor. It is a safety feature of the washer to prevent accident due to accidental opening of the washer door during a high speed spin.

Customers who purchased the Neptune Front Load Washers in the USA after April 1, 1997 and before August 9, 2004 are Class members and eligible for the repair reimbursement, replacement cost, or purchase certificate depending on the length of service of the machine. Call up Maytag at 1-888-MAYTAG (1-888-629824) for more information.

The models included in the class suit are as follows: MLE2000AYW, MLE2000AWW, MLE2000AZW, MLG2000AWW (Gas Stack Unit), MAH3000AAW, MAH3000AEW, MAH3000AGW, MAH3000AWA, MAH3000AWW, MAH3000BGW, MAH4000AWW, MAH4000BWW, MAH4000AWQ, MAH4000BWQ, MAH5500AWW, MAH5500BWW, MAH5500BWW, MAH5500BWQ, MAH55FLBWW, MAH55FLBWQ, MAH6500AWW, MAH6500AWQ, MAH7500AWW, MAH7500AWQ, MAH7550AAW, MAH7550AGW.