Kenmore Dishwasher

[Ralphy]

My daughters Kenmore dishwasher (model 587 think its made by D & M) is not working. It doesn't seem to want to fill up to the proper level. When turned on the 1st cycle drains any water (pump is working fine), then it goes into fill mode. It only lets in enough water to barely cover the bottom of the pan, then the heater element turns on. Nothing happens after that until it gets back to the drain cycle, which it does with no problem. The inlet solenoid turns on at the correct time, I checked the inlet screen for blockage but it was clean. Only other thing that I can think of is the timer is not working properly and shutting off the water supply to soon. The float valve also is working fine. Does my diagnosis sound right or am I missing something. Thanx for any input.

 

[ob]

Re: Kenmore Dishwasher

Two other items along the same line are the water supply to the dishwasher and the fill valve itself.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Kenmore Dishwasher

Ralphy, I have done work on a couple dishwashers. There usually is a switch that signals the water is at the correct level in the dishwasher. This signals to shut the water off at the correct level. If it did not have this, then anyone with good water pressure would have a flood.

The timer can play a factor. The timer only gives a period of time in which to get the water in before it turns on the heater and the pump to wash the dishes.

I would make sure you are getting a good flow of water into the dishwasher. If not, then check the hose for clogs. Sound like you looked for clogs. Run water through the hose into a bucket/

If the water flow is good, then check to see where the water level switch is. (Sounds like you checked this) A lot of them are a float on the bottom of the tub. . Make sure the mechanical switch on this is working. I have gotten around some of the door closed sensors and actually pushed the float down manually to see if it let more water in (Lift, the water shuts off, push down and the water turns on.

Be carefull doing that though. Don't break the sensor, don't let it go into the wash cycle or you will get a steaming hot shower and a mess. You can also weight the float to see if this helps, but again be careful so it does not over-flow or you will have a mess. You are checking to hear the sound of water flowing in or not.

If these things are good, then look for bad connections at the timer. If these are good, then you may have a bad timer. Good luck.

 

[Ralphy]

Re: Kenmore Dishwasher

Thanx ob and Scoop. Yes Scoop, I checked all the things you mentioned. I overrode the door shutoff sensor so that I could visually observe what was happening inside. When the fill solenoid kicks in, I am getting a decent flow of water, but it shuts off with only a couple of cups of water in the pan. The safety float valve is working fine. I lifted it as the water started and it shuts off, then when I let it go water flow resumes. OB I am not sure what you are suggesting I check? It is getting water at what looks like a reasonable rate from the water supply. Fill valve opens when fill cycle starts but shuts off before it gets a full tub. Keep the ideas coming and thanx so far.

 

[ob]

Re: Kenmore Dishwasher

Just throwing a couple of possibilities other than timer out there.If the valve is passing water sufficiently,and you have good flow rate from the inlet source,then I think you're on the right track with the timer.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Kenmore Dishwasher

Ralphy, that is odd, either something funky is happening with the fill value and sensor, the wire from there to the timer, or the timer itself. It would seem unlikely to me for the timer to go through the cycles, yet not let enough water in if it had a problem.

Corrosion on the water level sensor switch? Waterflow good at first, but then slows down because of a clog further back in the hose? When the water shuts off, and you monkey with the float, can you make it turn on at all?

Take a volt meter to the wire that goes to the water flow solenoid. Check voltage while water is flowing in. See if it changes when the water stops. If it does, then you are getting a bad signal or have a bad timer. If it stays powered on the whole time, yet the water stops, then there is something wrong with the sensor or the switch.

 

[Ralphy]

Re: Kenmore Dishwasher

Water flow is constant. I may have made an erroneous assumption. One more piece of the puzzle that I left out that may help in this diagnosis. The spray arm never activates. My assumption was that it is triggered by water level, but I know nothing about the actual trigger of events of this dang-fangled machine. I just ran mine at home and the water level definitely comes up higher than the troubled one. Worse thing that happens is the poor darling actually has to hand wash dishes for a few weeks. :^

 

[Scoop]

Re: Kenmore Dishwasher

Ralph. I can't remeber how the pumps work on those. I believe they run one way to wash the dishes and the other to pump out the water. I would check to see how this works. Check the connections to the pump. I sure wish my memory was better. good luck

 

[Ralphy]

Re: Kenmore Dishwasher

Ok I will check that out Scoop, thanx for the help.