Replaced Key pad DW still won't start

Dishwasher Repair
1

The dishwasher will not start when you push the start key you can slect normal and the LED lights but when you push start nothing happens Usually it will blink at you telling it is set to go.

I have pulled out the keypad and cleaned the contacts and switches and it worked for 2 weeks before it acted up again. I pulled the keypad again cleaned contacts and switches and worked for another 4 days. I ordered a new key pad in the mean time and popped it in and nothing same symptom. I cleaned the ribbon cable contacts and checked the continuity which was good. I put it back together and no go.

As I am sitting in front of it trying to figure out the diagnostics and timing diagram I wiggled the door microswitch and it started up. This makes no sense as with the door open as you select the buttons it blinks at you once start is pushed and begins washing once the door is closed. This thing is has me baffled. I am going to replace the switch which is cheap but still don’t understand what is causing the problem.

Can the main controller be intermittent like that? I pulled and flexed the boards and ribbon cable, pushed on the connections with no luck.

Any other ideas, before it started to act up the wash cycle seemed to be getting extremely long almost 90 minutes, could a flakey thermistor be the culprit?

Thanks any advice would be appreciated.

2

I replaced the controller and it is now working, for how long is the question.

3

replace door micro switch or switches ,maybe intermittant problem

4

It washed one load and the problem came back I will try the microswitch next.

5

It’s not the microswitch, I am thinking maybe a heater element fault locking out the controller. I will be checking heater and thermister next. It has to be something simple. Is there a key switch combo to reset the controller other than what is on the tech sheet?

6

Did you replace it and it did not solve the problem or you just thinking it’s not going to fix it?

Gene.

7

I bypassed it and no change, however when I tested the heater element it was open. I out a new one in this afternoon and am washing a load now. With the new controller and hardwired micorswitch I was getting the clean light blinking 7 times just like the Whirlpool bulletin. I will let you know if the heater element was the fix. It seemed like everything I tried before would allow at least one load t go through before it would lock up.

8

One load and it is dead again, I can cycle it through it’s diagnostics but it won’t reset and run again, I put the old controller in and nothing. I am stumped, I have noticed that the wax motor for the vent assembly is toast (splt and missing internals) but I don’t see how that figures into the sequence. To date this is what I have done.
New pump in November
Key pad
Contoller
Heater Element
I haven’t changed the ribbon cable but it tests out good with the ohm meter.
Next idea?

Thanks

9

Did you check the hi-limit thermostat (#30 on the break down diagram) for continuity? If it’s open then it will give you the same symptoms - blinking Clean light.

Gene.

10

Yes I tested the hi -limit thermostat and it was good (0 ohms), I am going to try a ribbon cable next. I have had the contoller and key board out so many times who knows, that is all that is left.