Dishwasher trouble

[dlminehart]

I have a Whirlpool dishwasher, only about 2 years old. Last week it started doing a lousy job of cleaning dishes, and was leaving some detergent powder behind in the door cup. On checking web sites, I learned that the likeliest problems are faulty input valve, plugged spray arms, or faulty spray pump.

I interrupted operations in mid-wash to find that the water level was a quarter inch below the heating element, that the lower spray was weak, and the upper spray (and rotation of upper spray arm) nonexistent. I removed and checked the pipe from pump to spray arms and it seemed fine. The unit has no difficulty in emptying the water, so the pump at least handles that part OK.

We have hard water here, and I'd neglected to refill my water softener's salt supply for a couple months. So a faulty input valve doesn't seem unlikely, especially given the low water level. But, upon manually adding water to the bottom of the washer, the spray still didn't seem to improve noticeably.

So, what's your diagnosis?

[just4funsies]

Once the tub is filled, the washer pump is responsible for all water activity, so your fill valve would not affect it until a rinse refill. Your washer pump could be partially plugged up, or have a bad impeller.

Also, plugged spray arms could contribute, but you would see debris sticking out through the holes. Most washer pumps have rubber vanes, and these can become stiff in hard water, especially if the unit is not used regularly.

That half-full tub still bothers me, though, because it should have been full, even iff the pump was messed up. You may have more than one problem. Check the float switch for the tub fill, also.

[jAngiel]

Whenever I start to have a problem with any of my appliances I go to fixitnow.com and look at all their information. I have been able to fix everything that I needed to myself, so far anyway.

[Vermonster]

That half-full tub still bothers me, though, because it should have been full, even iff the pump was messed up. You may have more than one problem. Check the float switch for the tub fill, also.

I agree. You need to determine if/why the tub is not filling completely. This is usually controlled by either a float valve or timer. You should also check the inlet valve to confirm it is working properly. If the inlet valve is broken you may hear a loud "clicking". You may be able to trick the machine into thinking the door is latched, then start the cycle to observe the filling. Don't let it start the wash cycle with the door open...

If the tub is filling completely. Then my $ is on either a clogged filter (some newer dishwashers have filters that need periodic cleaning) or bad/clogged pump impeller. Jar/can labels are particularly notorious for causing clogs.

Good luck.

VT

[rg32]

Just a shot in the dark since I ....
Had a similar problem with my 2 year old Maytag
The culpret...because of water saving features the water is filtered and recalculated, could be a clogged filter.
Another the newer machines have knives to mince the larger food particles prior to being filtered for re-circulation could be clogged here.

[dlminehart]

I'm awaiting a repair manual I ordered to see how the water level is controlled, via timer or float. There is a float, but it may be a backup system, as the water level doesn't seem to reach high enough to trigger it. I wonder whether the corregated copper input tube may not be letting enough water through, and a timer is shutting it off assuming more water has arrived than is actually the case.

Where are these filters people mention? There is a fine mesh filter just under the lower spray arm, which had some stuff like lint in it, the removal of which didn't accomplish anything. Below that is a small sump. I removed its cover, removed a few small chunks of food, again with no result. I saw no knives. Also no impeller. Apparently there are two pumps, one for sprayers and one for drainage. The drain's working fine.

[rg32]

On the Maytag….
It is located on the bottom of the tub and in the housing which underneath the lower spray arms.
At least on my Maytag it really isn’t a filter so to speak, but rather a plastic screen, which encircles the housing, and as the wash water is pumped in filters it for recirculation.
It was still under warranty at the time
The serviceman told me this is very common on all of the newer machines so if you discover it is actually clogged clean like every 6 months.

[bigsteel15]

I'm awaiting a repair manual I ordered to see how the water level is controlled, via timer or float. There is a float, but it may be a backup system, as the water level doesn't seem to reach high enough to trigger it. I wonder whether the corregated copper input tube may not be letting enough water through, and a timer is shutting it off assuming more water has arrived than is actually the case.

Where are these filters people mention? There is a fine mesh filter just under the lower spray arm, which had some stuff like lint in it, the removal of which didn't accomplish anything. Below that is a small sump. I removed its cover, removed a few small chunks of food, again with no result. I saw no knives. Also no impeller. Apparently there are two pumps, one for sprayers and one for drainage. The drain's working fine.

It's been a few years since I was a repair guy and models have changed, but I believe Whirlpool hasn't changed very much except adopted some Kitchen Aid ideas.
On the older model, you had to take off the "pump cover". either twisted off after removal of a keeper or I believe the newer ones had screws.
You would then see the inner pump cover that would have screws to remove it. THEN you will see your impeller(s). Most models run in reverse for drain so it uses the same impeller for both functions.
It sounds to me as though you simply have a water level problem. I would suggest that it runs on a timer and that your filters on your fill valve are plugged, not allowing enough water in. There should be a small mesh changeable filter in the fill valves. Universal item available from any parts store. Probably the same one as is in the inlet valve on your clothes washer

[jAngiel]

I interrupted operations in mid-wash to find that the water level was a quarter inch below the heating element

I'm no expert but I think the water level is suppose to be just below the heating element, so your problem is probably with the recirculating pump or something like that. But as I said, I'm no expert at these things.

[Tom Miller]

I wouldn't assume it's not filling correctly based on the water level being below the heating element. I thought the same thing a few years back while troubleshooting a dishwasher -- the service guy I talked to said the heating element is meant to be submerged on some models, and not on others.

Some (most? all?) dishwashers use a timer and a float for filling, since they can't assume the flow rate in each house will be the same. I think the float is kind of like a backup shutoff (overfill protection). You can test your float by running the dishwasher through the fill cycle, then shut it off (open the door), and set it back to the start of the fill cycle again. If it's working correctly, you'll hear the fill shut off prematurely. If you end up with water all over your floor, it's not working. (OK, you might want to periodically check the level on the second filling. )

Another way to check if it's a faulty input valve: Run the dishwasher (for real, with dirty dishes, etc.). After each fill, supplement with a pailful of water and see if the dishes come out clean. This test is a little more subjective....

If it were me, I'd be checking every last inch of the spray arms, and filters, etc. for a clog.

Regards,
Tom

[fergusburger]

Motor ready to go?

David -

I have a Whirlpool GU1200 tall tub dishwasher, about 3 years old. I also had trouble with powder left in the door cup and could never figure out what the problem was. My water is hard and I don't have a water softener. I was not particularly thrilled with the cleaning, but it wasn't that bad either.

Two weeks ago the dishwasher filled and then just sat there. No arms turned, no water sprayed. After doing a bit of diagnosis it was clear that the motor was dead. This is apparently a common problem, based on user reviews on the net.

I am writing to suggest that perhaps the motor is about to go on your machine. I hope the problem isn't your motor - a new one cost me $115. But if it is, then the upside is that it is an easy repair that I did myself. And if I could do it then you can do it.

In any case, the URL below has pictures of how to get at the food grinder and screen assembly to check for blockage. I realize that your complaint wasn't noise, but bear with me, this site has useful pictures. Note that the screws are #15 and #20 star heads, or at least they are on my machine. Lucky for me Menards was open until 10pm the night I tackled this project because I didn't have those drivers in my toolbox.

Also, there is a link on that page to a description of how to swap out motors should you need to do so.

Hope your problem has a simpler and cheaper solution,

Tom

http://reviews.ebay.com/How-To-Repai...00000000539756

[dlminehart]

Tom, those photos sure look like my washer! I'll open it up again and look at the chopper. My motor seems to be working, as I can hear churning sounds and the bottom arm turns, but the spray volume and pressure seem low. And the upper arm doesn't seem to get water at all, even though I can blow through that pipe easily when it's removed from the attachment down by the pump. I couldn't figure out how to open up the pump itself to see if there is an impeller problem.

[dlminehart]

I'll try again with added water. Don't know how to reset this one to the start of the fill cycle, since it's a push button model. I'll see whether closing the door and pushing the "Normal" button, after pausing by opening the door, restarts it.

Wish Whirlpool would just say how deep the water is supposed to be!

[dlminehart]

Well, I revisited the chopper, finally discovering how to remove its cover (lift from the front left, it turns out). The metal screen behind it was clogged with food scraps, because the blades weren't turning, because their nylon shaft was broken, because a little earring was caught by a blade! Argh! Didn't discover this until I'd already removed the dishwasher from the cabinet . . .

So, a $18 part has been ordered, $13 expedited shipping, and we'll cross our fingers that this is the only problem! Thanks for all the help! Hope this thread might be of service to someone else having similar problems.

[JR]

... The metal screen behind it was clogged with food scraps, because the blades weren't turning, because their nylon shaft was broken, because a little earring was caught by a blade! .

Which begs the question of how an earing ended up on a dish that went into the dishwasher, broke the impeller and clogged the filter. The dessert course in your household must be interesting!