Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

Bill Howatt

Does it have an electronic "brain", that is, is it more than just a mechanical timer type switch to run it? If it is electronic, cycling the power is likely causing the computer chip brain to reboot and reset itself - same as cycling the power on a computer.

Just my guess.

Bill

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

DP

I'm guessing that it is electronic rather than mechanical. Does that mean that the circuit board will have to be replaced?

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

paul in AZ

Life expectancy of today's dishwashers is claimed to be 9 years +/- 3 years.

It might be worth paying for a service tech to find out the cause and costs. Could be something simple all the way up to a pricey motherboard or pump motor.

Replacement parts are ridiculously expensive. Add in labor cost and it becomes a question of spending half or way more of the price of a new machine to revive a machine destined to crap out in a couple more years. Fix or replace? Tough call.

Kitchenaid says..

David Yoho

Straight from their Website -

How to reset the dishwasher:

Much like a computer, resetting the dishwasher control can sometimes solve the issues you are experiencing. To reset the dishwasher control panel, it needs to be disconnected from the power source for one minute. If your dishwasher is plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the unit for one minute and then plug the unit back in. If the dishwasher is hard wired to the power supply, turn the breaker off at the home electrical panel that powers the dishwasher for one minute and then turn the breaker back on.

Hardly a fix but gets it working. Might call their support and see if they have any better help.

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

John McGaw

That would be my guess too. Rebooting often works on any number of modern devices, unsatisfying at that is. I'd try contacting the manufacturer but wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a fix.

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

Lee Schierer in McKean, PA

What else is on the circuit that might be lowering the voltage to the dishwasher.

Lee

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

John K Jordan

Had to have the main control board of our KitchenAid diswasher replaced a year or so ago. Had it put in in 2004. Fortunately it broke when we had a few days left on an extended warranty. The repairman decided to replace the second electronics board at the same time since he was afraid it would fail next.

JKJ

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

walta

Most newer dishwashers, have a built in GFCI in the computer of the dishwasher. Turning off the power could be resetting the GFIC. Look for any electrical connection or wires that may have gotten wet.

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

DP

Just a garbage disposal.

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

DP

Thanks for all the suggestions. Given the cost of repairs I probably will end up biting the bullet and buying a new one.

Re: Mysterious Dishwasher Problem

E Phillip Smith

We have a Kitchen Aid dishwasher that's 8 to 10 years old with similar issue. I've been occasionally resetting the breaker to get it to restart for a couple of years. When it finally gives up I will replace.

bet the same...

David Weaver

..that it's just running poorly - not mechanically, but the computer/crude OS that runs the board.

I generally change out my appliances and do minor repairs on them. If it's a PCB related issue, i almost don't even check for the price of a board these days - it's aggravating and quite often, a parts PCB will be 1/2 to 2/3rds the cost of a dishwasher.

Why bother.

I hate the throw away notion of things like that. It sucks. They all tout how much more efficient and user friendly they've become, but we moved into this house with an ugly older (and not so quiet) whirlpool dishwasher. It had a grinder in the discharge pump and ran on 7.2 gallons per cycle.

The new dishwasher, and the one before it that lasted only 6 years, have about the same energy consumption and the same water consumption.

All that said, I'd do as lee mentioned and see if the trip of the computer could be a dirty power issue (or voltage drop). Even if not, the part of me raised by my parents would install an in-line switch so that I could shut the DW off after the cycle is finished and turn it back on when it was close to full. It may operate fine for years like that.

Re: bet the same...

DP

Again thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to hold off buying a new one and see how long I can go with turning the power off and on. Besides running down to the basement every time I want to do dishes gives me some much needed exercise.