I've searched through the forum and seen countless posts for this issue, particularly with the KitchenAid (Whirlpool) dishwasher but have yet to see a definitive solution although I'm sure each case can be unique.

Basically the problem is this. You can select the wash cycle as you would with any dishwasher. The Heavy, Normal, Rinse, and Energy Saver buttons work and the appropriate LEDs light up but when you press the Start button and close the door, nothing!

A year ago I had to replace the "Fuse Kit" and after that is when the problems started. I had been able to get the dishwasher to work if I pressed the Start button several hundred times (no exaggeration) and when the cycle LED, such as Normal, blinks once, I know that after closing the door the Dishwasher will start. As of about a week ago, this trick will not work any more. Pressing the start button does not make the cycle LED blink.

There is one other issue which may or may not be related. The final cycle never seems to complete. It will appear that the dishwasher is done but there will still be water in the unit and if I do not press Cancel, every hour or so the final cycle will start up again. Basically, it appears that the Dishwasher would run forever unless it is manually stopped.

Using the schematics that came with the dishwasher and an ohmmeter I tested out the "User interface" and all buttons and LEDs appear to work just fine (including the Start button). The ribbon cable tested out as well. I ordered and replaced the "Electronic control assembly" but the the same problems persist.

Reading through the other posts, I'm thinking maybe:
1. A new door switch, but this seems a bit of a reach. Especially since the Diagnostic Cycle recognizes each time I open and close the door. (Hi-Temp Scrub -> Energy Saver Dry -> Hi-Temp Scrub -> Energy Saver Dry)
2. Another "Electronic control assembly" like the one that comes with the "Heating element". Maybe the problem is a bad heating element. I have the old round one now.
3. Perhaps another component which has to do with the Start process?

I was really convinced that the "Electronic control assembly" was the problem but a new one didn't help.

Any suggestions?

Here are some of the other related posts:

http://forum.appliancepartspros...t-start-will-cancel.html

http://forum.appliancepartspros...t-panel-lights-work.html

http://forum.appliancepartspros...shwasher-wont-start.html

http://forum.appliancepartspros...id-cant-start-cycle.html

http://forum.appliancepartspros...-button-not-working.html

http://forum.appliancepartspros...tchenaid-dishwasher.html

http://forum.appliancepartspros...200-still-dont-work.html

Hi there....I'm experiencing what I think is the same problem as of the last 2 days. All the lights work, but it's as if the Start button is dead. It used to blink when I hit Start and then after closing the door the cycle would start.

Did you ever find a resolution?

Thanks so much for taking a moment to respond :)

You say it goes into the diagnostic cycle and runs all the way through? I would say you have a bad touch pad. Start button went bad.