Trouble Shooting Dishwasher

DISHWASHERS

1.) Troubleshooting Dishwashers

Safety Tip Before making repairs, pull the plug from the receptacle. Turn off the water valve under the sink before working on the water inlet valve or disconnecting the water hose

2.) You can't get the dishwasher to run.
Possible Problems :

Unlocked door.
Timer or selector button in the wrong position.
No power is reaching the unit.
Defective door switch.
Loose wires.
Defective timer.

Possible solutions :

Relock the door.
Check the setting of both the timer and the selector button.
Check the fuse box/circuit breaker.
Check the door switch for damage..
Call for service.

3.) Dishes are still dirty at the end of the wash.
Possible Problems :

Water not hot enough.
Dishes not correctly prepared for washing.
Dishes aren't stacked correctly.
Detergent dispenser doesn't open.
Spray arms are blocked.
No water in the tub.

Possible solutions :

Scrape and rinse all dishes before loading the dishwasher.
Dishes can't touch and must face the direction of the spray to get completely clean.
Start over with fresh dishwasher detergent.
Check the detergent cup and remove hardened detergent or mineral deposits.
Be sure the lid is not blocked and check the dispenser solenoid.
Check and make sure nothing is blocking the arms.
See the next section for not enough water.

4.) The dishwasher's tub doesn't fill with water.
Possible Problems :

Defective water inlet valve or solenoid.
Clogged water filter.
Defective overflow switch.
Defective timer.

Possible solutions :

Check the valve.
Check to see if your water inlet valve has a filter and clean it.
Check the switch. If it freezes in the FULL position, the unit will not fill.
Call for service.

5.) You can't get the water to stop running.
Possible Problems :

Stuck water inlet valve.
Defective timer.
Defective overflow switch.

Possible solutions :

Check the valve.
Call for service.

6.) The water isn't draining out of the unit.
Possible Problems :

Clogged or leaking drain hose.
Defective pump motor.
Defective timer.

Possible solutions :

Disconnect the drain hose and blow through it to be sure it is clear.
Call for service.

7.) The dishes aren't drying.
Possible Problems :

Loose heating element wire.
Burnt out heating element.
Defective timer.

Possible solutions :

Call for service.

8.) Water is leaking out of the dishwasher.
Possible Problems :

Damaged door seal.
Defective overflow switch.
Broken door hinges.
Loose heating element nuts.
Loose hose clamps.

Possible solutions:

Replace the door seal.
Check the switch for damages.
Replace the hinges.
Tighten the nuts that attach the element to the tub.
To see if there's a loose hose connection, you may have to move the unit.
Call for service

9.) The dishwasher is unusually noisy.
Possible Problems :

Spray arm hitting the dishes.
Damaged water inlet valve (a knocking sound while the unit fills)
Not enough water in the tub.

Possible solutions :

Reload the unit, so dishes don't touch the spray arm.
Replace the water inlet valve.
Call for service.