"Washing" light flashes endlessly
Model Number: 665.15717000 Brand: Kenmore Age: 5 - 10 years
I am helping a friend a friend of a friend with her Kenmore dishwasher, model 665.15717000, maybe five, six years old.
She got laid off a month ago, and my friend and I are trying to help her out as well as we can. We all truly appreciate any help from everyone here.
Reportedly, the diswasher finished a load as normal maybe a week ago, and no lights were flashing, no water was pooled at the bottom of the tub. At some point after that, the "Washing" light began flashing. It flashes steadily and endlessly (not fast, then slow; not seven times, then stop; etc.). If I press "Start" the "Washing" light turns off, and the "Quick Rinse" light begins flashing steadily and continually. Water does not run, washing does not begin.
Are these flashing lights some type of coded error? I've checked the error codes list at
ApplianceBlog.com - Appliance Repair Forums - Announcements in Forum : Appliance Repair Talk and see that this is a Whirlpool, but I can't find any dishwasher codes for Whirlpool on that page, or through Google.
I've checked the door switch and it seems fine. When I open the door, the light goes off. Shutting the door starts the "Washing" light flashing again.
I've checked the water fill level bulb and it is not stuck.
I have power cycled the machine by throwing the circuit breaker (the tech who installed it ran the power cord from a main power line, not to a socket). "Washing" light resumes flashing.
Even though I haven't fixed anything, I did try the reset routine of opening the door a crack, pressing wash-dry-wash-dry-close_the_door-start, or something like that from another thread. No dice, as expected.
I have not checked the inlet valve solenoid,
Kenmore Dishwasher Inlet Valve Solenoid 8283346 Sears - $36.92, as I didn't have a multimeter with me yesterday.
The following thread is for a different model, but it mentions the clean light flashing seven times as a warning that the water is not being heated.
As well as I recall from looking at this yesterday, there is no break in the steady flashing of the "Washing" light on my friend's machine.
[FIXED] The dreaded clean light flashing! - ApplianceBlog.com - Appliance Repair ForumsThe best I can tell from other posts, the control assembly, or perhaps the control panel may be bad.
Control Panel - Part Number: AP3097134 $149.41
Electronic control assembly - Part Number: AP3175633 $143.58
At those prices, and for a five-six year old washer, does it seem best to buy a new one, or to install new parts. I really don't know the life expectancy of a washer, but I would expect at least ten years.
Any suggestions?
Thank you all for your time and help.
D