Bosch (SHE44C) - initial drain cycle runs forever

Dishwasher Repair
1

Gang -

Just found this site - some great info here. Last night my Bosch (SHE44C) seemed to just stay in the initial drain cycle. I don’t believe any water is coming in - or if it is it is draining out right away. When I pour water into it manually it evacuates immediately. I can see a little jet of water coming in from the left side of the drain (with covers/filter removed). I don’t know if that is part of the drain function or part of the fill mechanism. It’s a very small (1/32") jet which doesn’t seem big enough to be the main fill source but I don’t know where the water is supposed to come in for the fill cycle. (There is a number on the plastic part where the water comes in - PP-TD 20.)

I’m thinking that there might be some water level sensor that is telling the unit that there is water in there that needs to be drained even though there is not. But this is just a guess.

I have seen reference to how to run diagnostics for older models. (Push 2 of the cycle buttons while powering on.) I think the same mechanism may apply to my newer unit but I do not know how to interpret codes.

I am about to go over to a friend’s house to see what happens when he starts his - like where the water comes in.

My records show that the unit was installed 5 years ago TOMORROW but the warranty may run from the purchase date which was a few days prior to installation. DOH! But I guess that would only help me if it was a circuit board.

This same issue has no doubt been addressed here before but the only one I saw the guy bought a new unit.

Thanks in advance for any help. I’ll report back how my friend’s unit compares to mine during the start up.

Bob

2

OK, I removed the kick panel and could see a little of what I think is the top of the float switch on the left side. It is a red plastic grooved rod which I can get to move up and down with a thin probe. It appears to only have about 1/4" of upward movement before it hits the stopper. I can’t see what is going on at the bottom since there is too much stuff in the way. Does 1/4" seem like enough travel? I’m wondering if it is stuck in the up position so the unit thinks that there is still water in the machine. I’m off to look at my friend’s machine - including his float switch.

3

Visit to look at friend’s unit did not reveal much. There was not as much visible with his kick plate removed - could not see float switch. But at least I know where the main fill water comes from.

4

Well, I kept jiggling that red float switch rod as the drain motor continually ran and finally it shut off the drain and started to fill. The cycle ran to completion. It’ll probably happen again but at least it would appear that I am looking at the right area.

I’m wondering if the microswitch that is activated by this float mechanism is the only way that draining gets enabled or are there other switches that trigger this and maybe the control board logic itself. Anyone know?

Anyhow, even though I got no responses the site has been a big help in allowing me to diagnose and (at least temporarily) fix this problem.

Bob