Kenmore Dishwasher Not Cleaning

jmin · February 12, 2009, 2:18pm

My diswhasher will not clean, it started with the upper rack mainly but now the lower rack gets half clean, any solutions? I removed the arm and cleaned out what I saw, anything else?
Thanks in advance:confused:

Gene · February 13, 2009, 12:53am

What is the water level inside? Did you see any white stuff inside the dishwasher when it’s dry? What kind of soap did you use? How hard is the water in your house? Did you hear the pump running when it’s on wash cycle?

Gene.

jmin · February 13, 2009, 2:55am

I don’t notice any white film or powder and I know that we have water in there. I can here the pump working but it sounds like it is leaking out the bottom, which of course it is not.
It seems as though sometimes(the odd time) it cleans the dishes well, other times nothing.
The water is not hard at all, we live in the city so it is pretty good.
We use Electrasol solid with the red ball in it.

Thanks for the reply

Gene · February 13, 2009, 3:09am

Check the chopper assembly as described in one of our previous posts: http://forum.appliancepartspros.com/dishwasher-repair/2903-whirlpool-dishwasher.html

Post the results.

Gene.

jmin · February 16, 2009, 2:23pm

You were right there was a toothpick jammed in it, it cleans fine now, but now it wont shut off, it just keeps running, something I did or just a fluke?
Thanks for your help

Gene · February 16, 2009, 7:21pm

At what point it does it? Did any light was blinking?

Gene.

jmin · February 16, 2009, 8:07pm

It just keeps running, no lights blink, you have to manually stop it

Gene · February 19, 2009, 1:02am

Open the door and the water temperature and the water level.

Gene.

jmin · February 19, 2009, 1:04am

Check the water temp and level?

Gene · February 19, 2009, 1:20am

Sorry, missed the word “check”.

Gene.

jmin · February 20, 2009, 12:24am

The water is fairly warm, not hot and the level of the water is above the pump and below the arm with water on the bottom of the diswasher, probably a 1/2" minimum

Gene · February 20, 2009, 12:39am

Looks like the problem is somewhere in the heating circuit. You have to check the heating element and the high limit thermostat for continuity.

Gene.

jmin · February 20, 2009, 4:17am

do you have any drawings? I have no idea where to start but certainly know how to check the continuity with a meter, the good news are the dishes are real clean, so I am guessing the water should be hot? Out of curiousity why would that make the diswasher continue to run?
Thanks for all your help!

jmin · February 20, 2009, 4:21am

I was just looking at the inside again and it looks as though the heating element may be cracked at the very front, would that cause the machine to continuously run?

jmin · February 20, 2009, 4:25am

It is a bit more obvious after moving it(element) a bit, do you have the drawings on how to replace the element? It doesn’t look very healthy at all upon close inspection

Gene · February 20, 2009, 6:35am

As you can see on the diagram the heater is secured with the two plastic nuts (#3) under the dishwasher. You have to unplug the wires first. The new heater comes with the two washers.

The part number for the heater is AP4325066

Gene.
P.S. The control board keeps the dishwasher running until it senses the correct water temperature.

jmin · February 21, 2009, 2:16am

Thanks Gene, I would like to buy you a beer! I will get the parts this week and let you know.

jmin · February 27, 2009, 12:18am

I replaced the element today (only $34) everything is cycling and the diswasher is working perfect, thanks very much for you help!

Gene · February 27, 2009, 2:19am

You are welcome. I’m glad you were able to fix it.

Gene.