Hi, I ordered a new control panel in May for my Maytag MDBH980AWS. The start/cancel button was no longer working. Actually it went first then with in a couple of days no button would light up/work. The part came quickly and installed easily. Worked great for 4 months. Now again sort of the same problems. All the buttons but the start/cancel button will light up and work. However since I can not get the start/cancel button to engage and start the dish washer the other options time out. The only difference occurring this time has been the dishwasher is performing ghost starts. Last night and today I had the dishwasher loaded with detergent ready to go and it would not start. However last night in the middle of the night it started and ran a complete cycle. Today same thing. Loaded the dishwasher and gel but would not start. Left the house to run an errand and came back to it running. It did progress through the cycles correctly. I called customer service and spoke with Adrian and he referred me here for help to confirm the control panel ( AP4358095 (W10197307) PANEL-CNTL ) is not working.

dishwasher1

Does your unit also start up on it's own?

Here are your parts
Replacement parts for MDBH980AWS models | AppliancePartsPros.com

See the attachment for the tech sheet.

The usual way to troubleshoot is to check the keypad keys with a meter.
Then if it checks out OK replace the control board.
Still a bit of a crap shoot but your odds are better.
You will notice that several keys share a common line/pin so on a keypad problem those keys will also not work. This does not mean that it is a keypad problem but does help narrow it down.

I would try the following first if the other keys that are common with the start do not work.

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.
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.