krups fem 231 571015 2 slice toaster?

These instructions were really useful, I would have been stumped otherwise.

I do have some additional tips/comments:
- Two of the four main base screws are T10. You need a long thin adapter or slender screwdriver to reach them. The other 2 front panel screws are longer so keep these separate.

Step 2:
a) Adjust toasting adjustment knob to 12 o'clock position for best leverage.
b) When removing action lever, rotate to spring action side first and remove grub screw.
Then rotate to other extreme (stepped actions) to remove last grub screw, cam will not spring back in this position.

Step 4:
Remove two front screws (wider apart) first then loosen the remaining 2 rear screws (closer together) to allow the black cam carrier to flex back a little to allow outer case to be removed.

In my case the toaster wouldn't stay down but elements would heat if you forced the lever down.
I checked all elements were working by toasting a couple of slices of bread. So confirmed repair was a possibility.

After disassembly, the solenoid on the lower power PCB was open circuit. I managed to de-solder the pins and remove it. Luckily, the bottom extremely thin wire was broken near the coil. there was enough protruding from the coil to re-solder the break. Re-soldered the coil back and measured ~293 Ohms.


GM
June 2025

Great instructions. Just to say those odd screws in the base of mine required torx rather than Allen key.

Dave Bonner
August 2019

regarding 2) if you look from the bottom there are three holes at the front - from two you've removed two of the screws from the bottom, through the thrid you have to slide in a thin philips to get to the two screws that are holding in the lever. John wrote it, but a took a while to clic :)

JB
March 2017

Disassembly of FEM 231

Unplug your toaster before proceeding!

Clean the toaster first. Remove the crumb catching plate that slides out from the lever end. Turn the toaster upside-down and shake out any loose crumbs. Initially position the two knobs vertically for ease at reassembly.

1. Unscrew the six screws located in the bottom base. On my toaster, four were #1 Phillips heads but two were 3/32" Allen key screws (a booby trap to foil the uninitiated?). If possible remove the screws completely. Do this over a cloth or newspaper - that way a stuck screw won't get lost if it falls out later.

2. Prise off the smaller adjustment knob. The indicator pointer end has a lip you can use for leverage. To take off the main action lever, first prise out the blue “stop” button. There is a third hole in between the two holes for fixing screws you have just removed at the knob end. Using a thin screwdriver reach up through this hole to the base of the stop button and lever it out (this may prove tedious but it will pop out using minor force to overcome the two retention hooks)

The action lever is held in by two grub screws, access is again through the third hole. Turn the lever all the way to the left and unscrew (and remove) the small grub screw. Then turn the lever all the way to the left and take out the second grub screw. Then remove the metal lever. The chrome fascia panel will now come away.

3. This exposes the upper circuit board, which will need to be unscrewed (4 screws) to facilitate removal of the main cover.

4. If you need to reach the second circuit board and the lever mechanism itself, you have to continue by removing the main cover. unscrew and remove another two screws adjacent lower PCB. The cover will now lift out and can be manipulated off. You can then remove the black unit in which the adjustment mechanism sits, by unscrewing its two retaining screws.

5. Re-assemble the toaster by reversing steps 1 to 4. Some care in needed (magnetic screw driver or grease) to get the action lever grub screws back though the third hole. (Credit to Shanks)

John Turner
November 2013

Two years later, I am facing the same problem... no one succeeded in the mean time ??

Kitchen repair
July 2012