The topic is delicate, we should form a circle of chairs. That’s about how the refrigerator in the Grand California can be described. Besides a refrigerator that acts as a large icebox when the drip tray is not inserted correctly, to the handle that simply does not want to open the refrigerator. Especially the last problem, can become really annoying and on vacation also a problem. Suddenly, the refrigerator can no longer be opened via the handle, nothing happens when you push the handle up. Here you can find out why and what you can do about it.
The problem
Someone at Volkswagen meant it too well again, instead of installing the naked refrigerator in the Grand California, a super fancy cover was built without further ado. Looks great and fits perfectly into the design of the kitchen. What was gained with the visuals was probably saved in the technical implementation. The entire locking mechanism is held or operated by a tiny, unsecured grub screw.
Unfortunately, this little turd wiggles loose over time and falls out of its lead and the result, well the fridge no longer opens.
The solution
If the child has not yet fallen into the well and the refrigerator can still be opened, then you now have the chance to simply secure this small screw. You will need screw glue, a flathead screwdriver (or my favorite tool, a pocket knife) and about 5 minutes of time.
1. open refrigerator
When you open the refrigerator, you’ve probably noticed these two caps on the top of the door, right? You have a hunch, these are exactly the caps we need to remove in the first step.
2. remove covers
To remove it, you can use a flat-blade screwdriver or even a pocket knife 🥹 simply lift the small cover upwards. Once the covers are removed, you will see three screws in each of the two holes. You have to loosen the two outer screws to remove the front. The middle screw can be used to adjust the trim, similar to hinges on cabinets. If, for example, the door protrudes a little too far at the bottom, this can be regulated via this screw.
3. remove front
Once the four screws are loosened, the front can simply be lifted up. In the end, you should have something like the result in the photo.
4. secure grub screw
Once the front cover is removed, you have a clear view of the locking mechanism and thus also of the grub screw. You can now secure these with screw glue.
Then reassemble the whole thing in reverse order and now you have peace and no more stress with the refrigerator lock.
But what to do if the refrigerator no longer opens and the grub screw has already fallen out?
Well, now you have a problem, the fridge doesn’t open anymore and you can’t get your beer. Stupid. VW Hotline? Certainly not a good help. But don’t panic, you’ve read the text up to this point and know who the culprit is.
Open refrigerator without drilling and co.
Unfortunately, there are really dealers and other specifiers who describe the only way out is to drill a hole in the front of the refrigerator. WAIT WAIT, there’s no way we’re doing that. You get the door open again without drilling and damage within a maximum of ten minutes. In addition to a flathead screwdriver or a pocket knife 😁, you will need a 15 mm Torx.
1. take out drawer
The drawer directly behind the refrigerator must make room first, this can be easily removed by pulling it out completely and pulling up slightly on the panel.
2. Loosen 4 screws of the switch cover
In order to get to the four screws of the refrigerator front, we have to create some space, because otherwise it will be difficult to screw. To do this, unscrew the cover in which the light switches are above the refrigerator. No panic with 4x 15 Torx you have the whole thing in hand.
The screws are located on the inside of the drawer insert. If this is not clear from the picture, don’t panic, at the end of the article you will find a video of the complete removal.
3. remove cover
Once the four screws are removed, you can remove the switch panel and follow the steps above to secure the grub screws, starting at point 2.
Et voila, you get back to your beer 🙂 and the whole without drilling. Who now thinks, yes, this reads totally simple… Yes, that’s it and if the text or the pictures are not enough for you:
Have fun doing better than Volkswagen 🤭
