Dishwasher runs but doesn't clean

Dishwasher Repair
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1

Brand:Bosch
Model Number:SHE43R55UC/64
Main Symptom: starts with door open, won’t shut off until Start/stop button is pushed.

What happens & when: As soon as the “start” button is pushed the dishwasher starts, with the door open. (this model requires the door to be open to access the start and mode select buttons). It sounds like the pump is running but seems to be cycling between settings. (nothing changes on the control panel). It ran for several hours and when I opened the door it continued to run (it should stop when the door is opened). The detergent dispenser was open but the detergent had just dribbled out. Obvious that no washing had occurred. I’ve tried turning the power off (flipping the breaker) for several minutes, holding the “start” button down for 10 seconds, depressing the “heavy” and “normal” buttons simultaneously (cancel/reset) but nothing has helped. I pulled it out from the cabinet and noticed water in the bottom tray but I don’t know how much is normal here. Any suggestions on what to check? I found a similar complaint here: Bosch dishwasher drain motor runs with door open

I removed the cover as mentioned in the reply but there was nothing blocking the impeller from turning.

thanks

2

This sounds like the flood switch is engaged, likely to the water underneath. You will need to remove the water and check to see where the leak is coming from.

3

Thanks, I’ll look for the water leak. That’s a big help.

Just so I understand: water is leaking into the bottom tray which causes the float switch to engage which then causes the pump to remove the water, and when it does it stops the wash cycle?

4

Yes, that is correct.

5

I ran it and watched for leaks but could not see any. After sitting overnight, the lower tray was again flooded and the float switch was engaged. With nothing obvious I assumed the inlet valve had an internal leak and was overfilling the dishwasher while it was sitting idle. I replaced the valve and it seems to have solved the issue. thanks for your help.