[Mr B]

Went to set my dishwasher on delay cycle like I do every night so it runs in the middle of the night - the auto light came on as did the heated dry light, but when I pushed delay and then start....no lights lit up. I closed it..went to bed hoping for the best...unfortunately it didn't run...and still won't. Can you help me figure out how to diagnose the problem without having to call in the good old Maytag Repairman? THANK YOU

[denman]

Try other cycle types to see if they run.

Could be that your delay key is not closing so you cannot get into that mode.

[Mr B]

Hi Denman....I tried that....tried pushing all different buttons....only some of them light up, but it won't start at all no matter what combination we push.

[denman]

Here are your parts
Parts for Maytag MDB7809AWM2 Dishwasher - AppliancePartsPros.com

Do you have the tech sheet for this unit.
It is often taped under the unit or the back of the kick plate.

It is too big for me to upload the entire thing but I was able to at least upload the info on the keypad, see the attachment.

Your problem is probably either with the control panel (keypad) or the control board.

The usual way to diagnose this is to check the control panel with a meter. if all the keys check out OK then you replace the control board first. Still a bit of a crap shoot but your odds are better. But you need the tech sheet to get the pinouts of the panel keys.

Several keys can share a track (circuit) as it is a matrix type keypad.
If a light/indicator comes on when the key is pressed you can assume that the key is OK.

May even be just a dirty connector so you may want to try the following.

Connector Cleaning / Checking
Unplug the unit
Open it up
Remove the ribbon cable from the keypad to the control board at the control board.
Clean the edge connector. Use electronics contact cleaner or isopropyl alcohol.
If it is the type where there is not a connector just the insulation is removed, it can be cleaned with a pencil eraser. Do not use an ink eraser as it is too abrasive.
Check the tracks in the ribbon cable for hairline cracks. A magnifying glass helps here.
Would not hurt to clean the connector on the board. Use electronics contact cleaner or isopropyl alcohol and a tooth brush. Be gentle and do not reconnect till all the solvent evaporates.
Reconnect everything and give it a try.

[Mr B]

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[Mr B]

Thanks for your quick response - we don't have the tool to take the screws out so are having to have a friend come over on Saturday to help. Will let you know if we have more questions. Thanks for your help.

[Mr B]

My husband did all the diagnostics as you described in the email. All seemed to be working so he ordered part W10298356 (called Electronic Control) and it just arrived and he installed it. He did all the diagnostics - everything seemed to be working - water into the dishwasher, etc. Then he tried to start it and the same thing happening - the delay, start, and cancel buttons do not light up and don't work. Same as how we started with this mess. Can you please let us know what to do now or do we need to call the "Maytag Repairman"??? THANK YOU!

[denman]

This type of problem is always a bit of a crap shoot though when you check out the keypad and it checks OK then your odds are better of getting the correct part the first time.

Sounds like there is a problem in the keypad.
Note if you ordered the control board from AppliancePartsPros you should be ab le to return it.
Please see their return policy.

[Mr B]

Thanks again - fingers crossed that the new part will work when it arrives. We didn't order from AppliancePartsPros because the prices were a lot higher than some other places....so we went with the cheaper company - forget the name, but they will also take it back....we figure we'll keep it because it'll probably be the next thing to go....thanks again....will let you know if this doesn't work!