can i fix this at home?

It sounds like the pump inspection cover has come off. If the part you found was down in the sump of the machine and it is like a quarter of a circle with a little leg sticking up then it fits in the bottom of the sump on the left over the pump impellor, the leg if it is not broken locks it into place.If this doesnt make sense come back with model no (etched on top of stainless steel door) and more info Cheers

Kenjo
April 2012