Kenmore Ultrawash Not cleaning dishes

Dishwasher Repair
1

Here is our problems:

  1. Our dishwasher is not cleaning the dishes completely. There is still food particles on the dishes.
  2. There is still some soap left in the dispenser.

What I have done:

  1. I checked the water temp of the house and it is 120 deg.
  2. Cleaned around the pump to make sure there was no blockage.
    Found a bone, q-tip and a screw. Everything removed.
  3. The Spinner, third level wash was missing and has been ordered.
  4. Checked to make sure that there was nothing blocking the spray arms.
  5. Water is going into the dishwasher.

Is there anything else that I can do?
I do not have a service repair manual.
Dread calling in a service person.

You can email me at hrdel@comcast.net

Thanks
Bob

2

Check the amount of detergent and water hardness.
The amount of detergent depends on the water hardness and the amount of food soil left on the dishes. Use only fresh automatic dishwashing detergent. Moist or caked detergent will not dissolve properly. Detergent should be stored in a cool, dry place. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon. Your local water company, water softener company or county extension agent can tell you the water hardness in your area. Twelve (12) grains and higher is considered extremely hard water and detergent alone may not be enough. A water softener is recommended to improve water quality and dishwashing performance.

3

Thanks, we use Electrasol Advanced. Could it be the heating element?

4

Here is the tech sheet
https://www.servicematters.com/docs/wiring/Tech%20Sheet%20-%208524517.pdf

Note of a spray arm is missing and it is just an open hose, you may be losing so much pump pressure through it that you will not get a good wash.

It will allow you to check your heater and the high limit thermostat and the thermistor using a meter. Normally though the unit will not advance or have very long wash times if the water does not reach the required temperature.

Also I would check the water level, on most units it should fill to just below the heating element.
I am not sure about this so hopefully someone else will confirm or know for sure. If the pump starves for water poor wash results.

5

[quote=denman;69988]Here is the tech sheet
https://www.servicematters.com/docs/wiring/Tech%20Sheet%20-%208524517.pdf

Note of a spray arm is missing and it is just an open hose, you may be losing so much pump pressure through it that you will not get a good wash.

It will allow you to check your heater and the high limit thermostat and the thermistor using a meter. Normally though the unit will not advance or have very long wash times if the water does not reach the required temperature.

Also I would check the water level, on most units it should fill to just below the heating element.
I am not sure about this so hopefully someone else will confirm or know for sure. If the pump starves for water poor wash results.[/quote]

Thanks, I’ve never checked a circuit before. the water is not heating up and I think it’s the heater coil at the bottom of the dishwasher We have plastic side panels. is there an easy step by step to check the circuit board. I do have a multi meter.

Thanks

6

Easier to check at the heater/HiLimit using resistance/ohms

Remove the kick plate
Remove one wire from the heater
Measure it
Should be 10 to 35 ohms

If OK
Remove one wire from the HiLimit Thermostat
Measure it
Should be 0 ohms

Here is a little bit on meter usage

A couple things to watch when measuring ohms and continuity

  1. Always remove power from the machine otherwise you could blow your meter.
  2. Always disconnect at least one side of any device you are checking. This eliminates the possibility of measuring an alternate/parallel circuit path.
  3. When checking for closed contacts and continuity use the lowest scale (Usually 200 ohms). Then try higher scales. This scale is 0 to 200 ohms so if the device you are measuring is 300 ohms this scale would show an open circuit which it is not, you are just measuring outside the scale’s dynamic range
  4. Before using short the two meter leads together so you know where actual 0 ohms is.

There is a good STICKY at the start of this forum about it’s use.

7

[quote=denman;71127]Easier to check at the heater/HiLimit using resistance/ohms

Remove the kick plate
Remove one wire from the heater
Measure it
Should be 10 to 35 ohms

If OK
Remove one wire from the HiLimit Thermostat
Measure it
Should be 0 ohms

Here is a little bit on meter usage

A couple things to watch when measuring ohms and continuity

  1. Always remove power from the machine otherwise you could blow your meter.
  2. Always disconnect at least one side of any device you are checking. This eliminates the possibility of measuring an alternate/parallel circuit path.
  3. When checking for closed contacts and continuity use the lowest scale (Usually 200 ohms). Then try higher scales. This scale is 0 to 200 ohms so if the device you are measuring is 300 ohms this scale would show an open circuit which it is not, you are just measuring outside the scale’s dynamic range
  4. Before using short the two meter leads together so you know where actual 0 ohms is.

There is a good STICKY at the start of this forum about it’s use.[/quote]

Is this with the power to the dishwasher OFF?

8

Yes, power is off.

9

Thanks, I unplugged the two wires from the heating coil and get nothing. So I’ll replace the heating element. Antything else that might be the problem?

10

That should be it.