Your dishwasher can give you years of reliable service. But there comes a time when things may start to go wrong. Want to fix it yourself? All you need are a few tools and an ohmmeter and you’re good to go. Use the guide below for a few hints and tips on how to repair a dishwasher and have a go at mending it:
What’s The Problem?
How To Fix It
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- 1.
You can’t turn the dishwasher on You’ll need to check the fuse box first to see if any switches have tripped, and then check the wiring in the plug. Remember to turn off the power before you start to investigate any electrical fault. Locate the junction box at the back, on the bottom of the unit. If it looks fine then use your ohmmeter to check the voltage.
If there aren’t any power problems it could be a faulty door wiring. Open the door to check this with your ohmmeter. The initial probe should read infinity, and then when you close the latch the reading should be zero. A slight adjustment to the latch may be all that’s needed - re-tighten for a neat seal. If you get a high resistance to the control timer motor, the motor could be broken.
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There’s no water When the unit is running but there’s no water you’ll need to check the float switch. This is found in the base, and lifts out easily. Check the power with your ohmmeter and replace if necessary.
If you suspect a blocked inlet valve, turn off the water; disconnect the pipes, wires and hoses, and remove the filter. Clean it under running water, and reassemble. Other causes could include pressure loss, a faulty motor, or blocked spray arms.
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Leaking issues Leaks often come from a problem hose. Inspect for cracks and loose fittings. Then you’ll need to have a look at the heating element by disconnecting the leads and the gasket. If this is all in order, look for rust spots and treat with an approved dishwasher solution.
A leak from the door may be due to a faulty door seal. If this isn’t the problem it could be that the spray arms are split or damaged, or that the machine is overfilling. The pressure switch or sensor would have to be replaced if this is the case.
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Dirty dishes Dishes that don’t come out clean may be due to the water being too cold. This often happens when showers and washing machines are in use at the same time. Another common problem is a detergent that isn’t powerful enough. Check that the dishwasher is loaded properly too.
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Noise levels A noisy dishwasher can indicate that the pump is defective. This is located at the bottom of the unit and has two compartments – one for wash and one for drain. There’s an impeller, filter and chopper blade all found here. An alternative problem could be the wash arm seal or bearing ring. Either of these could be worn or loose, but are quite simple to replace.
Need Some Help?
If you can’t find the source of the problem you may need to call in the professionals. Your local dishwasher specialists will be trained in dealing with any repairs. You’ll be able to get a quote, and the work will come with a full guarantee. Sometimes DIY dishwasher repairs are just not a cost-effective option, but at least you gave it your best shot!
