Dishwasher issue - Update, success!

[QC]

I have a Kenmore Ultra Wash. Made by Whirlpool. Anyway, out of the blue, the water no splashy no mo . . . Buuuuut, I think the pump is still OK as it drains fine. It fills, goes through it's cycles, just no water comes out of the whirlygig stuff. My understanding is that the pump has two impellers, one for wash and one for drain. Same pump . . .

I haven't found the manual yet, so I don't know how to get any codes that it may have set. I can't find the Whirlpool model # and Kenmore doesn't have manuals on line. Suggestions?

 

[i386]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

Suggestions?

Hand wash the dishes until you fix it?

 

[QC]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

No ship Sherlock . . . LOL

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

Call a repairman and not a sears one. I have had kenmore W & D repaired by local people that are much cheaper than sears staff.

 

[JMRuth72]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

Start by seeing if you can pull the whirlygig thing and see if it is adequately sealed to the base or glogged somewhere. Sounds like the pump is ok as it is filling, but I am not sure.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

One of the best investments I ever made 30 years ago was a Reader's Digest Fix-It book. I've seriously considered buying a newer edition, and I'd suggest that to you, too. I've fixed a few dishwashers over the years using that guidance -- and many other things in my home and car, too.

You may be able to find a Whirlpool manual on-line that is very similar, especially if they have them by year. Most appliances are actually very similar.

All that said, I'd take off the kickplate and watch what's happening at each step. Without knowing any more, my first suspicion would be a solenoid that shifts a valve from fill - spray - empty. I'd check my Fix-It book for instructions how to test it with a volt-ohm meter.

If you suspect two impellers (spray / drain), then check for a clutch or some type of connector between them. You should also check the pump housing, valves, and spray arms for debris blocking water flow. In commercial dishwashers, you'd be surprised how much crud gets into spray arms.

THT

Al

 

[QC]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

Cool, thanks, kinda the way I was heading . . . keep 'em coming.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

I was going to tell you that flowers usually work for me, but then I realized this was technical...

 

[QC]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

Thanks for the tip ^^^^

 

[Ranger_man]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

Sledge hammer and crowar usually works in this case. Probably won't fix it, but will make you feel better.

For honest advice though, I have no idea. Let me referance some of my books, and I may be able to help.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

...almost had it. I've got a Kenmore Elite (about 5-6 years old) and thought I had the original owners (operators?) manual...unfortunately I couldn't find it. I did however, find the installation manual for it tho' but I wasn't sure if it had what you were after info wise?
BP
ps: it does say 'Ultra Wash'/QuietGuard/etc on the front...but it lists as an 'Elite' on the Kenmore tag (??)

 

[seven up]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

...it fills up but when the wash cycle starts does the water drain out ?

I'm familiar with that problem. A lever underneath near the motor that shifts positions to drain the tub and returns to hold the water in.

Can you tell I'm not a dishwasher repairman ?

 

[QC]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

...it fills up but when the wash cycle starts does the water drain out ?

No. Nothing happens during the washcycle, water just sits there. Heater comes on, smells a little. BTW I do not hear the pump during wash either, but again it drains fine. I did not have a chance to get it aporat at all yesterday, so hopefully I can get some more info later ton today.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

I had something similar happening to one I had while in Northern California.
I took off the "spinny thingy" and found a small piece of plastic broken under it. I resecured it and put it all back together and it worked for 1.5 years. Then we moved.
Sorry I couldn't be more technical. I am pretty good at looking at something and fixing, not so good at describing it.

AK Chappy

 

[QC]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

Hey AK, good to "see" you. Yeah, I will get the prop type, thing-a-ma-jig off and report back. What is that water flicking thing called anyway?

 

[millwood]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

Not sure if this will help or not, but I have used this site before and it worked for me. Give it a shot.

hxxp://www.repairclinic.com/0003.asp

 

[QC]

Re: Dishwasher issue

Re: Dishwasher issue

I got it! I ran it through the cycle again, and like I said it fills fine and then I'd here a hum like a motor that was trying to turn but blocked, and then it would stop like a breaker was tripping . . . duh! I had kinda wondered about possibly a piece of shi+ or something blocking the impeller as I pulled some glass shards out as I was disassembling. Sure as snot, there was a piece of ceramic something or other jammed between the impeller and the protector/screen housing thing which you could not see until I pulled off the housing. All good now!! No parts, no service tech, no nada except for three days of handwashing (not so bad really, anyway).

Thanks for the tips!!!

 

[i386]

Re: Dishwasher issue - Update, success!

Great!

 

[millwood]

Re: Dishwasher issue - Update, success!

Glad to hear you got it fixed.