Dishwasher DIY Tips and Tricks

Repairing a dishwasher on your own saves you money and time. Instead of waiting around for a Maytag or Sears dishwasher repairman,

Repairing a Dishwasher

You can install the replacement parts by following the troubleshooting guide in your manufacturer’s owner’s manual. Before opening up the dishwasher cabinet,

Verify that the appliance is getting electrical power and hot water from the house. Make sure the dishwasher door latch is locked and the control panel on the front of the appliance is set correctly.

Dishwasher Repair Basics

A dishwasher’s electrical system depends on whether it is a portable unit or built into the kitchen cabinets. Portable dishwashers can be plugged directly into the wall outlet like any other small home appliance.

Built-in appliances must be wired into the home’s 115-volt or 120-volt electrical system directly. The water supply line connects to the home’s water heater to provide the dishwasher with the hot water it needs to sanitize your dishes.

Ideally, the water inside your dishwasher should be 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dishwasher DIY Tips and Tricks July 2020

Replacement Dishwasher Parts

Buy replacement dishwasher parts that are compatible with your appliance’s make and model. If you are unsure which replacement part you need,

Remove the defective part from the dishwasher and take it with you to the appliance supply or hardware store.

You may be able to find a list of replacement part numbers on the manufacturer’s website if you have a Kenmore dishwasher or other major brand. Other websites also sell appliance parts direct to the customer.

Dishwasher Repair Safety Warnings

Before performing any home dishwasher repairs, make sure the power is shut off from the circuit breaker box.

If you are repairing a portable dishwasher, you may be able to unplug the power cord from the electrial outlet instead. Shut off the water supply from the main valve under the sink before attempting any dishwasher repairs or maintenance.

How To Install a Dishwasher?

Installing a dishwasher makes it easier to wash the dishes and keep your kitchen clean. Whether you install a GE dishwasher or a Maytag dishwasher, the basic procedure is the same.

Dishwasher DIY Tips and Tricks July 2020

Check your dishwasher owner’s manual for installation instructions more specific to the make and model number you own.

Getting Ready to Install a Dishwasher

Built-in dishwashers are wired right into the house’s electrical system rather than being plugged into a wall outlet, so you must cut off the electricity to the kitchen by shutting off the circuit breaker switch before installing your new appliance.

Shut off the water supply valve under the kitchen sink and place a blanket or piece of scrap wood in front of the kitchen cabinet opening. This will protect the kitchen floor from being scraped when you install the new dishwasher.

How to Install a Dishwasher in the Cabinet?

Connect the dishwasher water supply line and drain hose to the valves on the back. Set the adjustable feet on the bottom of the dishwasher to line up the top of the appliance unit with the opening in your kitchen cabinets.

Check the top of the dish washer with a level, then push it into the hole in the cabinets. Mount the dishwasher on the cabinet surface with the screws in your installation hardware package.

Hooking Up a Dishwasher

Wire the dishwasher’s power supply into the home’s electrical system according to the diagram in the manufacturer’s installation guide.

Generally, you will be matching up like colors on each side of the wiring harness. Wrap the green wire around the grounding screw on the dishwasher cabinet to ground the electrical circuit.

Hook up the open end of the drain hose to the garbage disposal under the kitchen sink. Attach the hot water supply line to the water supply valve in the kitchen.

Turn on the circuit breaker switch to give electrical power to the dishwasher. Open the supply valve to allow water to flow into the dishwasher’s inlet valve.

Try a short test run without any dishes in the dishracks. Watch for leaks coming out of the back of the dishwasher.

Dishwasher Motor Replacement

A broken dishwasher motor is no reason to throw out the entire appliance. Instead, you can probably replace the motor assembly on your own in less than an hour.

Make sure you order replacement dishwasher parts that are compatible with your manufacturer and model number. Major dishwasher manufacturers like Kenmore,

Whirlpool, GE, Maytag, and KitchenAid offer downloadable copies of owner’s manuals and part listings for all of their kitchen appliances.

Preparing to Replace a Dishwasher Motor

Make sure the power is turned off at the circuit breaker before opening up your dishwasher’s motor or pump assembly.

If you can access the dishwasher’s power cord, it may be easier to unplug it than to go outside to the home’s breaker panel.

Remove the front kickplate from the dishwasher unit and open the door. Take out the dish racks so you can access the motor assembly at the bottom of the dishwasher tub.

Removing the Old Motor Assembly

To access the dishwasher motor, remove the spray arm assembly, including the tower and filter. Disconnect the dishwasher’s electrical wiring from the motor assembly terminals.

Keep track of the wiring configuration so you’ll remember where to connect each wire on the replacement dishwasher motor.

Remove the mounting bolts that hold the motor assembly onto the dishwasher cabinet. Detach the pump assembly and drain hose from the rear of the dishwasher motor.

Install a New Dishwasher Motor

Attach your replacement dishwasher motor to the pump assembly and drain hose, then place the motor in the dishwasher unit.

Tighten the mounting bolts and connect the electrical wiring according to the manufacturer’s recommended configuration. Install a new filter, then put the spray tower and arm assembly back together.

Put your dish racks back inside the dishwasher compartment. Reinstall the front kickplate of the dishwasher and make sure the screws are tight. Turn your circuit breaker switch back on so you can test the new dishwasher motor.

Dishwasher Troubleshooting – Where to Start

Dishwasher troubleshooting starts before you remove any access panels or disconnect any drain hoses. Glance at the trouble shooting portion inside your dishwasher’s guide.

Generally manufacturers’ handbooks describe a lot of the normal dish washer issues, so that you should be able to determine the trouble without taking apart the dishwasher.

If you do not now have the instruction manual, write down the dishwasher’s device number and consult the company’s website for your downloadable backup.

The product no. should be found on the cabinet of a dishwasher or immediately underneath the key pad.

Dishwasher Doesn’t Start

Look at the door lock if your dishwasher will not start or is stopping in the clean cycle. Test the dish washer using a multimeter if it doesn’t fill.

The fill control valve could be the possible cause of the problem with your appliance. Take off the lower access panel from the face of the dish washer so you’re able to reach the fill device linked to the water piping mount.

Touch the multimeter’s probes on to the 2 black connectors on top of the filling valve. If it reads 120 v, the fill device should be changed out. Check the interface between the mount in addition to the fill device to verify it isn’t stopped up with build up.

Dishwasher Leak Troubleshooting

Identify leakages from the low spray arm and / or cleaning soap panel. Should the dish washer has been dripping, those are the 2 possible locations you will find the water.

Check the plastic material of your bottom spraying arm to make certain that it is not cracking along the middle. Substitute the arm if you do find any signs of damage.

If the soap door has been seeping, this item probably ought to have a functional substitute seal.

Troubleshooting Dishwasher Cleaning Problems

If the dishes are generally not coming out spotless when the wash cycle is done, analyze the water temperature. The water in the washer should be 120 deg.

Fahrenheit so that it can strip off tough food stains and grease. If your dishwasher is not getting hot water, you may have to make contact with a good local plumber that will look at your home’s water heater or check for back logged piping.

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