Help needed with dead dishwasher.

[teak]

It's dead and was hardly used, only 3 years old. One day it just stopped working. I remember starting it, and it didn't start right away. Meaning I didn't hear the water rushing all over the dishwasher. Instead I heard a humming noise. Thought maybe it was waiting on something so I left the kitchen and later I return to see that it was finished. Pull the door open and there's water at the bottom of the dishwasher. It didn't drain. Detergent wasn't dissolved. Looked like the motor didn't run. So does anyone know if this is something that can be fixed easily. Something that might be a common problem? I don't mind buying a new one but just wanted to see if this was a easy fix. I'm pretty good with tools.

-Teak

[wantmys2000]

Sounds like the pump is clogged or jammed. I would check the trap at the bottom of the dishwasher, you normally have to take off a screen. It tends to be pretty mucky in there, but see if you can feel anything blocking the drain or stuck in the pump. If the motor was jammed it probibly overheated. It might have a breaker on it that tripped kinda like your garbage disposal. The main difficulty in working on dishwashers is that you have to remove it from under the counter to work on it, which means you have to disconnect everything, including power and water. Makes it difficult to test.

Does it still make noise when you turn it on? Or is it totally quiet? I would do some poking and prodding. If you break anything, hey you were ready to buy a new one anyway, right? :-)

Steven

[SK8R]

Is it a GE.....?
Sometimes when dishwashers are "hardly used" they poop out from just sitting there doing too much of nothing. That happened to my sister. Something inside may have rusted and broke.
If you have to get a new one, go to Sears, get a Kenmore. We have had good luck with them.
Try to use it atleast once a week.

[teak]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to see if something got stuck inside. I think it's a GE.

-Teak

[hornerjo]

I had the *exact* same problem Teak. It was not the motor or anything stuck inside. The problem was that the actual panel components (the ones you push in at the front for the controls) burned. There was a GE recall some time back on certain models (except mine of course). Anyhow, I called GE and they sent me out a replacement kit. You take the backing off the door and just replace the button devices and close it back up (10 minute job). After that everything worked like a champ again.

I think I may have written the information down at home (part package #, etc). I'll see if I can find it this afternoon. Oh, GE sent the parts for free.

John

---------------
Got Broadband?

[JenCo]

Another possible reason is the water valve to the dishwasher could have been turned off by accident. It should be under your sink. We had this problem in our old house and once in this new house - anything you store under the sink may have accidentally turned the knob to the off position. Locate the valve, turn the dishwasher back on, and try to move the valve around & see if you get water movement in the washer. If not, it's something else.

Thanks!

[hornerjo]

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I did not find the info I had written down, although I know I have it somewhere. Did you fix the problem? I'm almost 100% certain this is the same problem I had (exact same symtoms). Replacing the control panel parts fixed it easily.

John

---------------
Got Broadband?