The wife opened the door shortly after the dishwasher cycle began to add an item. We've done this many times without a problem - after closing the door, the unit usually goes back to what it was doing after a moment.

This time, it sounded like it was trying to restart, but couldn't. The unit waited about 1.5 mins, hummed for about 4 seconds (sounds like a straining motor), waited a few seconds, hummed again for 4 seconds, waited a few seconds, hummed again and then shut off.

There is water in the unit (it is filled). If I try to restart the cycle (press start button), it goes through the same cycle - 3 hums and then shuts off.

I removed the kick panel to take a look. I can see the motor, there is no sign of a leak. There is nothing I can push on to start the motor turning (as I've read in other posts about older GE units). So I pressed start, and during the first hum, I smacked the motor a few times with my flashlight. It stopped humming, waited a few seconds, and when I was expecting the next hum, the unit started.

Halfway through the cycle, I opened the door to make sure the soap container door opened. After closing the door, it restarted after a moment, like usual.

So, was I just lucky? Or is there a new motor in my near future? The unit is 9 years old.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Blaiser