I have a 1986 pretty much taken apart at the moment. I am going to be away for a day or so, but when I return I'll look at mine and see if I can explain how to adjust it.

On both the 1916 and 1986 I just push them firmly closed. It's not like closing a dryer door, which just needs to close to the touch. The washer's door has to latch firmly, with a solid click-click. But there's no sense of a mismatch in the connection, though.

If you haven't got an anwser by Wednesday, perhaps I can help then.

L.

liriodendron--

That would be fantastic. And, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, I'd really, really appreciate some pictures of the W1986 taken apart. Those might come in handy not only for this issue, but also in the future. I could get my email address to you.

Thanks!

Here are the instructions from a W1213 service manual, maybe it will help you meanwhile. Whatever you do never force something, Germans love to put tabs everywhere!

4 Service

4.1 Lid - Removal
1. Remove the screw caps from the lid side edges.
2. Loosen the lid screws about 4 to 5 turns � max. Do not
completely remove the screws.
3. Press the screws in to release the retaining tabs. Lift the lid at
the front, slide it to the rear and lift from appliance to remove.

4.2 Plinth (Toekick) - Removal
1. From the bottom of the toekick, apply pressure upward
2. Pull the toekick away from the appliance.

4.3 Front Panel - Removal
1. Remove the Plinth (010 4.2)
2. Open the door.
3. Remove the clamping ring, that secures the sealing to the front
cover.
4. Unfasten the sealing ring and fold it back towards the drum.
5. Remove the Door Lock screws.
6. Remove the 10mm Bolt.
7. Close the door.
8. Remove the two screws from the bottom corners of the front
panel.
9. Hold the sides of the front panel, tilt the bottom edge forwards
and pull gently to release it from the plastic lugs on the Control
Panel Frame.

10. Lift the panel away from the front of the appliance.

I have a W1926 (predecessor to 1986) that sounds just like what you're describing. I think Miele washers of that era (save for the windowless models) all used the same door; the difference was in the controls, depth of the machine, and a different "honeycomb" tub design on the more recent ones.

The W-1986, BTW, has a secret menu you can access to increase the water levels, change how the sensitive cycle works, add a cool down, and numerous other items. If interested, I can post what I found here.

Yes, please do post it. Is this the "PC Update" the brochures talked about?

I'd be interested in the W1203/1213/1215 hacks if you know them too. Those are the last 240v washing machines they sold in the US to my knowledge, and am considering them for my next kitchen if I move (so I can have stainless steel that matches the other appliances - the 1926 was white only) and I'd like to have a "water plus" option on them like on the older W1926.

This isn't the PC update function. Miele washers have a secret menu but for some reason, they didn't make the information available for the USA washers. I gleamed it for the W-1986 by experimenting and reading manuals for other models.

The secret menu is entered as follows.
- Make sure the washer is turned off & door closed
- Selector should be turned to END
- Hold in Sensitive & Extended and turn on washer
- Let go of buttons, you should now see P-0 in display

From here, the different options are selected by turning the selector knob and rotating through the options by hitting the start key. When you turn off the washer, the options are set. From what I gather, there are a ton of them here, but I would not experiment with them as some affect voltage, motor speed, etc.

Here are the safe ones.

(next messages)

Once you enter the secret menu and have P-0 in the display, you can activate the Max Water Level by turning the selector to "Delicates 105".
- You will see P alternating with 1 and a 0 to the right. This means P1, option 0.
- Hit the start button and it changes to option 1. i.e. alternating P1 and 1.
- 1 is on, 0 is off, hitting start cycles back and forth.
- Turn off washer and it's set.

This option increases water in several of the cycles including Cottons.

The Water Plus option changes what the "Sensitive" button does. As shipped in the USA it adds an extra rinse. However it can be set to do other things. I'll list the options
0- Increases rinse water level
1 - Increases wash & rinse water levels
2 - Extra rinse
3 - Option 1 & 2

You program this like above but turn the selector to Delicates 85, you will see P2 - 2. "Start" changes the options. Turn off washer to save.

This is one option that I changed. It adds more water to the cotton wash cycle and more water in rinses. Not as much as Max, but Max does not affect wash water level. This option also lets you turn it on or ff by hitting "sensitive" button.

You can apparently make the washer turn more gently in the cotton cycle. This one is picked by turning the selector to "Dress Shirts"

0- Off (default)
1 - On

I didn't try this one.

I forgot to mention above that for Gentle you will see P9-0
----
Top Up Rinse for Cottons causes the washer to add water at the end of the cotton wash at 140 or 190 degrees. The purpose is to cool down the water before it's drained. I like this one because it seems to help the wash.

Turn selector to "Starch". You should see P10 - 0
0- off (default)
1 - on
Turn off washer to save

I changed this option.

Thanks!

I've discovered alot of "secret menus" just by reading the service pamphlets and schematics that are hidden behind the toekicks or service panels on dishwashers and such.

This option causes the washer to remember the last options used for any cycle. You may or may not like this one.

Selected by turning the selector to "Fine Rinse" You should see P11-0
0- Off (default)
1- On

----------------------------

These are the ones I know that work on the w1986. These option are present on all the machines but do vary somewhat in how they are selected. On machines without a numeric display the options are indicated by flashing lights.

You are welcome Lee. I think there are a few more options that do the following:
- Change how much time is added when "soak" is pushed
- Increase the time which water circulates through the detergent dispenser. This is supposed to be for "big box" detergent. (whatever that means)

I can try to figure out how to select these if interested.

The W-1986 was also a 240V machine. Sadly, as you mention, Miele does not sell 240 machines in the USA now.

> Increase the time which water circulates through the detergent dispenser. This is supposed to be for "big box" detergent. (whatever that means)

I think they're referring to the (now hard to find) non-concentrated powdered detergent where you needed a full 8 ounce cup per load, which by necessity was packaged in larger boxes rather than the squat boxes typical for today's more highly-concentrated detergents. My last detergent purchase actually was a large box, but only because it was one of those 200-load Sears large boxes, and it needs only a 50cc cup per load.

lee676, I can send you the info you need for the 1213/1215, just send me an e-mail and I'll reply.

How do send you an email? It doesn't come up when I click on your userID

You have to click the My Page link next to the user ID.

I did but yours doesn't have a send-message link. Some userIDs like mine do.