Please make sure to click on General above and select the correct appliance type first.
Brand: Maytag
Model Number: MDBTT53AWW2
Main Symptom: Buttons Not Responding
What happens & when: When Power Is Supplied
I just purchased a Maytag MDBTT53AWW2 that appeared to be in mint condition. It almost looks like it has never been used.
When I installed it and applied power, only three buttons respond when pressed: hi temp wash, heated dry, and sanitize. No other buttons light up or respond.
As nice as it is and for no more than I paid for it, I think it is worth repairing. My question is, though, is this more likely a control board issue or a control panel issue? How do I tell which is the faulty component?
Hi,
For model MDBTT53AWW2, I recommend starting by running the Service Diagnostics Cycle and allowing the unit to complete the calibration process. This can often clear stored status information and force the dishwasher to perform a sensor calibration cycle.
To enter diagnostics, with the dishwasher in Standby Mode, press the following keys within 6 seconds:
Heated Dry → Normal → Heated Dry → Normal
Once the diagnostics cycle starts, you can press Start/Resume to advance through the test intervals if needed.
A few important notes:
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Entering Service Diagnostics clears stored status and previous cycle information and restores default settings.
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The next cycle will be a Sensor Calibration Cycle.
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If the dishwasher is equipped with an OWI (Optical Water Indicator) sensor, the control will perform additional rinses before the final rinse and calibrate the sensor during the final rinse.
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The diagnostics cycle also checks components such as the thermistor (temperature sensor), OWI sensor, flow meter, drain system, wash motor, and heater operation.
I’ve attached the technical sheet for reference, which contains the complete diagnostics chart and interval descriptions.
Please run the diagnostics cycle and let me know if any error codes appear or which LEDs illuminate during the test. I would like to emphasize to count the number of blinks on each indicator before and after the calibration cycle. That information will help narrow down the cause of the issue.
techsheet-w10142800-revc.pdf (2.6 MB)
Thank you so very much! I tried the diagnostic mode, but it didn’t respond. Then, I disconnected the ribbon cable from the control panel to try the isolation test and it didn’t respond to that either. So, now I am leaning toward the control board being bad. Am I on the right track?
Yes at this point that would be my strong suspicion
Update to the story…
When I first did the isolation test, I was following a set of instructions that merely said to cut the power, disconnect the ribbon cable, then turn the power back on. When I did that, the dishwasher did not respond.
However, yesterday, I ran across a set of instructions that specified that the door had to be open when you did this, then you wait about 30 seconds and close the door. When I did it that way, it did begin the drain cycle. Arrgggh.
I used a hair dryer and warmed the control panel up to see if I could get response from the buttons, but no dice. Then, I decided to go all in - I really warmed up the control panel and gently removed the fascia overlay and the button ribbon beneath it, exposing all the contacts.
Using 90% alcohol, I thoroughly cleaned all the contacts on both surfaces even though I did not find any hint of corrosion or contamination on any of them. I inspected the ribbon cable very carefully and did not notice any breaks, but there was a small dark streak in one location.
After cleaning the touch pad contacts, I put it all back together and powered it back up. The only difference now is that even with the cable reconnected, it went through a drain cycle again. The same three buttons still respond, but none of the others do. So, I’m no better off.
Is there any chance that it is still the fault of the control board?
I hope it’s only the control board.
This unit is surprisingly clean. It looks almost new.
Let me know, if you change the board, if that fixes your issue. Thanks
Jeff
Yes sir, will do! Thanks for the help. Fingers crossed…