Brand:Kenmore Model Number: 66513442k901 Main Symptom: Control Panel Malfunction What happens & when: Lights come on randomly when pressed, Start and Cancel buttons do not work.
Error Code (if any): No info on how to get a readout. No LED / LCD screen on this model. Parts or tests already tried: Installed refurbished control board, tested with older control panel with known issues. Photos / video link:
Issue began on 11 Jul 2026. Started with a control panel (WP8573672) recently received from a warranty claim suddenly locking itself. Successfully unlocked the control panel by holding “Heated Dry” for 3 seconds and started a dishwasher cycle. The dishwasher stopped midway through the cycle with various different lights flashing. Unable to cancel the load - opened the door and turned off power to the dishwasher.
I assumed that the problem was with the control board, ordered a refurbished board (W10281528) from Amazon and installed it. Issue persisted.
At first, I assumed that I had received a bad control board from the reseller since this new control panel was a little over 2 months old but thought to test an old control panel I had on hand with a known issue (the start button would not work but other buttons worked and lights were normal). On plugging in the old control panel, the lights and buttons once again started functioning normally. When the newer control panel was plugged in after the test, the problem returned. This strongly suggests that the issue is somehow with the new control panel.
I have since removed the new control panel from the dishwasher and believe it needs to be replaced - it is still under warranty. I have taken apart older control panels for this dishwasher with an eye towards refurbishment and know that the panel is basically a set of membrane switches and light-emitting diodes and all the “brains” are in the control board.
I suspect that the issue is one or more of the buttons on the newer control board are somehow making contact. I can’t say if the problem is temporary or permanent but it appears that the membrane buttons on these control panels are not suitable for this application.
The keypad ribbon harness can be tested to see what might be going on. Using a digital multimeter with it being set to resistance, the black meter probe would be placed at pin 2 of the ribbon. The red probe would then be placed at pin 11, 12, and 13 for about 20-30 seconds each. The black probe would then be moved to pin 3 and the red probed placed at pin 11 then pin 12 for about 20-30 seconds each. The black probe would then be moved to pin 4 while the red probe placed at pin 11, 12, and 13 for about 20-30 seconds each. The black probe would be moved to pin 5 and the red probe would be placed at pin 11, 12, and 13 again for about 20-30 seconds each. The black probe can be moved to pin 6 for the last test. The red probe would be placed at pin 11 and pin 12 for about 20-30 seconds each. What reading shows up when testing these points?
The meter is giving me no reading at all on any of those pin combinations.
The ribbon cable is a 14 pin connector. The number “1” is clearly printed on one side of the ribbon, indicating pin 1. I went through pins 2 - 6 and tested 11 - 13 / 30 seconds for each and got no readings.
Do you have a wiring diagram that you can share with me? That would be helpful.
With the keypad having diodes in each test set, it should take several seconds to get a reading. With them reading open, there is likely an issue with the control panel since a measurable resistance should have been found within the 20-30 second range.
So, what now? It was weird that I got NO readings. I should have gotten something for some of them, I think. And there’s no indication of any sort of damage … whoa, wait a minute - where did THAT come from?!?
No, neither the new board I installed nor the old board I took out show any indication of overheating.
This picture is of the back of the board I replaced, the board that was in the dishwasher when the control panel started acting up. There’s no evidence of overheating that I can see.
