Perhaps my decision to purchase a coin-operated washer is coming back to bite me. I was out of town all weekend, and came back to a note on my door, saying that the coin slot on the washing machine was jammed, and wouldn’t turn on the washing machine, or pull out. The tenants said that they put in the correct amount of money (they had just gotten a new roll of quarters from the bank, even), and weren’t trying to pull anything (i.e. putting the quarters in pantyhose to pull them back out, or a similar trick like that).

When the washing machine was brand new, the coin slot had been a little sticky, and was fixed by a simple dousing of WD-40. So, I figured that this would be a simple fix.

Increase Profits, Safety Awareness and Laundry Services. Vend-Rite Venders provide essential products for your customers. We offer an extensive line of cautionary signage to remind customers to stay alert, drop off laundry supplies to brand your service, and coin vend laundry products, adding additional profit to your bottom line. However, if your school has older machines, quarters getting stuck in the slot is a likely pitfall. The quickest solution? Choose the correct laundry settings. All of those buttons and knobs! If this is your first time doing your laundry in college, the washer and dryer may seem only slightly less complicated than your calculus.

MORE THAN OIL
However, no amount of WD-40 and jiggling would get this coin slot to budge. One of my guy-friends came over to take a look at it with me and he too was stumped. It appeared at first as though one of the six coin slots was missing its coin — however, after further inspection with a flashlight, we discovered that there WAS a coin in that slot, but it had tipped to the side, and was preventing the coin slot from moving. A nickel?? Some sort of coin-like subway token??

ENTER THE X-ACTO BLADE
In order to fix the problem, we needed some way to push the tilted coin upright. A wire? A knife? There wasn’t a lot of room to work with, but an x-acto blade, slid into the slot next to the coin, was able to move the coin upright. The coin slot went in, deposited its coins, and started the wash.

Laundry Coin Slot Stuck Disk

WHAT WAS THE CULPRIT?
I had emptied the coins from the washing machine while figuring out the problem, so that I could see exactly what had been sitting in the slot, jamming it up. When we pulled out the coin tray… it was a CANADIAN quarter! A Canadian quarter that was a slightly different size, a slightly different weight; just enough to cause the coin to tilt in the slot. What surprises me the most, though, isn’t the fact that my Whirlpool doesn’t accept Canadian quarters — the fact that the BANK is putting CANADIAN quarters in its rolls! Seriously! Aren’t those supposed to be sent back up north, across the border???

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As a laundromat owner you know there is nothing more frustrating than having a coin jammed in one of your machines. Whether the cause of the jam is a damaged coin or a worn out slide mechanism, remedying the problem can be easy if you know how to take the machine apart to get to the stuck coin. If you need a new or used vended dryer or vended commercial washer in Charleston, SC, make the call to T & L Laundry Equipment for big savings.

Ideally, a stuck coin should dislodge from the chute with a press of the coin return button. However, when that doesn't do the trick, there are a few tried and true things you can try to get that coin to move before you take the assembly apart.

• Put another coin into the slot and attempt to use this action to dislodge the stuck coin.
• Slap the side of the machine where the coin slot is located to get the coin to move.
• Place a piece of wood or something to protect the finish of the machine and tap on the wood with a hammer to unjam the coin. Use caution not to hammer so hard that you cause damage to the machine. A gentle vibration may loosen the coin.
• If the coin has tipped inside the coin slot, the coin slot may not move. Using a utility knife to push the coin upright may allow it to pass through normally.
• Attempt to pull the coin out of the slot with tweezers.

If the coin slide, rather than the coin, is the issue you may need to disassemble the coin acceptor. Follow these steps to correct the issue:

• Remove the coin store tray and empty it. Check to see if anything is blocking the coin shoot inside.
• Take off the maintenance panel on the top face of the coin slide housing. The panel is usually locked in the back with a key.
• Remove the long bolt that runs from the maintenance panel to the front of the housing.
• Disconnect any wiring from the slot mechanism and carefully free the mechanism from the housing.

Laundry Coin Slot Stuck Clip

The offending coin or debris should be able to be clearly seen at this point. Once you have cleared the slot, test the mechanism with a fresh coin before you reassemble the mechanism.

It is important to note the placement of any nuts, screws, connections, or other parts as you disassemble the coin slide. If the problem continues, the mechanism may need to be replaced. The good news is that since you know how to remove it, you can replace it.

Affordable Commercial Washer in Charleston, SC

Laundry Coin Slot Stuck Buttons

Laundry Coin Slot Stuck Machine

If you feel uncertain about taking this mechanism apart or need genuine manufacturer's replacement parts, give T & L Laundry Equipment a call. For more than 40 years we have provided vended and commercial laundry owners with exceptional service and support. Let our expert staff help you get the right vended dryer or commercial washer in Charleston, SC.

We proudly offer full product lines from some of the top manufacturers in the industry like Speed Queen and Continental. Known for their reliability and durability, these manufacturers lead the industry in technology and innovations that bring exciting innovations for owners and customers.

Ready to learn more about how T & Laundry Equipment can help you improve your business through the latest equipment, planned maintenance agreements and timely service? Make an appointment with a member of our sales team today and put our 40 years of industry experience to work for you!

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