Works on "rinse only" but stops on "wash"

Dishwasher Repair
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1

Hello,

Our dishwasher works fine on “rinse only.”

But on “wash” (and pot wash) it fills up, runs for awhile then stops. Sometimes it empties after awhile and repeats the same thing.

Just to keep me guessing, it sometimes will run through the full cycle.

The “cancel” button comes on, but sometimes there is no response. But it seems to improve if I cycle the power to the machine off and on.

Do I need a new switch mechanism ($155)? Or maybe a new washer.

Thanks for any help.

Bill E

(Dishwasher is in the ten year age range.)

2

Here are your parts
Replacement parts for WHIRLPOOL KUDR24SEAL2 | AppliancePartsPros.com

Here is a tech sheet
https://www.servicematters.com/docs/wiring/Tech%20Sheet%20-%209743409.pdf

The sheet should help diagnose the problem.

Check your water temp, run it into a glass and check with a thermometer, should be 120 plus.

Could be the heater or the thermostat are toast.
The unit is trying/waiting for the water to heat up and it does not get that signal.
Check the heater with a meter, should be about 30 ohms.
Check the hi-limit thermostat should be 0 ohms at room temperature.

You may also want to stop it during a fill and add a quart or so of boiling water.
Then let it continue the cycle.
If it goes then it is probably a water heat problem.

3

Thanks for the information, Denman.

I confirmed that the element does heat up to a high temperature when I can get the washer to go through at least part of its cycle, so the element is ok.

I then ran the service diagnostic test and here is what happened:

  1. The green clean light came on, and the grinder came on as well.

  2. The first red light came on and the washer filled with water.

  3. The water heating light came on for several minutes with nothing else happening.

  4. The rinse and dry lights came on briefly, one after the other.

  5. The first red light came on and the washing pump ran for about ten seconds – and then stopped.

  6. After a minute or so, the washing pump ran again for about ten seconds and stopped.

  7. After about three or four minutes, the washer emptied for a few seconds then stopped, leaving most of the water in the washer.

  8. The green clean light came on – and that was it.

Seems to me its ‘brains’ are scrambled.

Advice for this amateur?

Thanks again.

Bill

4

Sounds like the control board is toast.

5

Thanks denman.

At ten years age, buy a new one rather than repair? (Part is about $155.)

Its had average usage by a family of four.

Bill

6

[COLOR=Blue]At ten years age, buy a new one rather than repair?[/COLOR]

I think that is what I would do, 10 years out of a dishwasher is pretty good.
If the unit is in very good condition I would consider fixing it but would expect other components to start breaking in the not too distant future.