[Dave Northrop]

Several minutes into a wash cycle I always get an erroneous blocked spray arm message. Pressing the Start button will allow the cycle to continue OK even with the reed switch disconnected. I have correct voltage (13v) to the spray arm sensor reed switch. I've tried shorting out the reed switch to simulate always having a spray arm rotation pulse available to the control assembly but this didn't help. At this point it seems like the control assembly might be at fault but I'd like to make sure before replacing this expensive item. What additional tests can I do to isolate the problem?

[Gene]

Hello Dave Northrop,

The first thing I would do is remove the lower spray arm, take a part the spray arm hub & pinion and the bearing and make sure everything clean.
This is one of the most common cause for the error code.

Good luck.
Gene.

[Dave Northrop]

Hello Gene,

I did as you suggested (everything was clean) but it still didn't solve the problem. Any more thoughts?

Thanks, Dave

[Gene]

Hello Dave,

In that case most likely the problem is a bad control board. How old is your dishwasher?

Gene.

[Dave Northrop]

Hello Gene,

Unfortunately it's about 12 years old. I checked that the control board is still available but it's pretty expensive. I'd like to find some way to verify that it is the problem before replacing it.

Dave

[Gene]

Hello Dave,

Besides the control board it also could be the spray arm sensor. Due to this part is no longer available and I can not assure you that replacing the control board would solve the problem, you probably have to think about a new dishwasher.

Gene.