I found that the Solenoid on my GE dishwasher had melted and so I replaced it. Now when I attempted to wash dishes nothing is coming clean. It runs through each cycle fine, its just not retaining the water like it needs to to get things clean.
I did some troubleshooting and found that when I put water into the dishwasher and start it, it just drains the water right out. So then I took the bottom panel off to look at the solenoid again and it seemed to move fine to the closed and open position. I know water is getting into the dishwasher because I do feel a little (very little) bit of steam and some water droplets scattered in there after I attempt to run a cycle.
What is it that I’m not seeing is wrong with my dishwasher? 
Can you take a picture of the solenoid with the dishwasher not running?
You probably left a spring off the solenoid, just look for it under the dishwasher. Solenoid plunger must be held up when not pulled down by the solenoid.
I hope this helps. I hope its just something stupid that I did with the hook up… I hate cleaning dishes by hand. lol
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Also, when a solenoid melts, it’s an indication that your timer has failed, it got stuck and applied power to the solenoid to long, that’s why it melted, so if you don’t replace the timer, the new solenoid will melt shortly.
Rich was correct, your missing the spring that attaches to that white plastic hammer. That small hole on the backside, the spring attaches to that, and to the bottom of the solenoid metal bracket
The spring should be on the old solenoid if it didn’t come with the new one
ok! I’m gonna go get that “extra” spring the bf said came with the parts.
Yeah I know about the timer problem. I was hoping though that I wouldn’t have to replace it right away since its a more expensive part. I’m guessing that is no way to service the timer to make it run better/not make the solenoid melt?
ok… so is this how it should look? I installed the spring.
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It would be better to get a new timer, unless you can find someone to fix it cheap.
You got it, that’s how it should look 
Thanks so much for the help. As I sit here I can here the nice hum and swish swish of the running dishwasher… I appreciate the help so much.
Yes I guess I’ll give in and get the new timer too. :rolleyes:
