Hello,

I have two problems with my diswasher door, which occurred about a week apart. I am not sure exactly how old the dishwasher is, but estimate it to be between 7 and 9 years old (most likely about 8). Specifically, the problem are:

1) The door no longer has tension to control the speed when it opens/closes. This problem occurred first.

2) Additionally, the door will now not latch and stay shut.

I would very much appreciate the following advice:

a) What parts do I need to order to fix, and what steps do I need to take to fix
b) Is this an easy fix for a novice, or a difficult one?
c) Am I better off attempting to fix these problems, or simply purchasing a new unit?

Thanks in advance!

I have not definitively ascertained how to fix the problems. However, from reading other threads on on this site, it seems that the tension problem is due to the springs or link cables being faulty (or both). I can see one of the cables hanging down at the bottom of my unit (it looks like a piece of white rope), so I presume it's at least that.

As for the door's inability to stay closed, in speaking to an appliance repair guy on the phone, he thought my hinges were perhaps damaged from the door opening too quickly due to the first problem. I cannot see that with the ********** eye, but seems plausible.

If these are indeed the problems, it doesn't seem worth fixing it, as I estimate I'd spend at least $200, and probably more (2 hinges = $114 to buy from this site; Door balance kit (i.e. link cables) = $15; service repair at least $50-$75 just to walk in the door). I could obviously try to fix it myself, but it doesn't seem like a particularly easy fix for a "layman" (perhaps I'm wrong), especially since my unit is flush with my cabinetry. Plus, I'd presume the parts would be even more expensive if I had a repairman fix, as he'd mark them up.

Also, in reading some others' threads who've had similar problems, their attempts at fixing have seemingly been futile, as they've bought parts that haven't solved the issue (e.g. new strikes and latch units). Lastly, some others who seem to have dishwashers in similar age ranges have had problems with their gaskets, causing leaking, or control panels that stop working, so I'm thinking that even if I do fix the door, I could soon start experiencing other issues, and thus, fixing the door would turn out to be throwing good $ after bad.

From the limited research I've done thus far on new dishwashers, a quality comparable new unit, including installation, is about $600-$700. Seems smarter to put the $200+ towards that. The appliance repairman even counciled against fixing (he has no vested interest in me buying a new one - just seems like a nice, honest guy).

I'm bummed to have to buy a new unit when it is still working (other than the door), but I'm going to suck it up and get a new one. Consumer Reports has a dishwasher buying guide that you can purchase online for about $7, so I'm going to do research through that.

If anyone reading this disagrees or has had other experience, I would of course appreciate feedback.

Hope this is helpful.

Thanks.

Thanks for the info.

Well, with summer coming (vacations, boating,etc.) I don't really want to waste the little $ I have on a darn dishwasher. It is only a few years old, so last night decides to try and fix. This is what I did so far, so if anyone else has same problem can look at this.

First turned off water and power to dishwasher. Then had to detach top frame of unit from bottom counter top, which was held in by 2 screws. Then unscrewed very bottom panel of dishwasher, again held in by 2 screws. Once bottom panel is off, you can see under the unit and where the water pipe comes in. I had metal piping, so just take a wrench and unscrew the nut connecting the water pipe to dishwater pipe inlet. Once unscrewed you can push the water pipe slightly off to the side a few inches so able to pull dishwasher out.

Next there were 2 adjustable feet on side of front bottom dishwasher and had to move those all the way up so would give the unit some wiggle room in the up and down direction, which helps when trying to pull unit out. Also helps so don't scratch the flooring with those metal foot posts. Used a little muscle, and was able to pull out unit a few inches, which for now I think is all I need, I could pull out further if have to later.

Now on the front bottom right and left side of unit, can see the "pulley-spring" system or what is called the door balance spring kit, which gives the door tension, preventing it from it crashing down when you open door up (which was one of our problems). (See picture of that pulley system below, it has 2 white wheels, string, and a spring.)

I couldn't believe that the door tension unit / pulley system was made from regular string/rope and parts of the pulley was just brittle plastic! No wonder why it broke! (string and plastic parts broke) Unfortunately, have to replace with same thing unless I can make my own pulley system made from cable wire or something stronger.

My springs were laying on the floor in back-sides of unit, so feel around and look with flashlight for yours, these are still good, so don't need new ones for this. the spring attaches to the pulley system/door balance kit and then to back side of unit somewhere, but haven't got that far yet.

So basically going to order a new balance door kit which comes with 2 sets of the the pulley system, one for each side, and will replace and hopefully take care of that problem.

I'm also going to order a new latch (which you also have to pull dishwasher out to replace) to see if that helps keep my door closed and not pop open.

So, right now will be $25-$35 to fix. If this doesn't work and hinges need to be replaced (might be bent? I couldn't exactly tell, but they don't look bent to me), that might be a different story as those are expensive.