If you’re experiencing issues with your dishwasher appliance repair, you may need to take some time to get it fixed. Repairs can be expensive, but they’re much less expensive than replacing the appliance altogether.
The cost of a dishwasher repair depends on the part that needs to be replaced and whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a professional. Taking the steps to troubleshoot your machine before calling in a pro can help you determine whether or not a repair will be too intensive for you.
Water Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve of a dishwasher controls the flow of hot water from your home to the appliance during a wash cycle. This valve opens and closes based on timer and electronic control signals.
A defective inlet valve can cause a variety of problems with a dishwasher, such as leaks. The valve also can prevent water from entering the dishwasher if it’s clogged with debris.
To diagnose a faulty water inlet valve, first check the hoses that connect to it. If the hoses are secure and there aren’t any kinks in them, they’re most likely fine.
If the hoses are still plugged with debris, it may be the inlet valve itself that needs to be replaced. In this case, you’ll need to buy a replacement water inlet valve and install it correctly. If you’re unsure about how to do this, it might be best to hire an appliance repair professional to do the work for you.
Heating Element
The heating element is a component of the dishwasher that helps bring water to a higher temperature. This is necessary for sanitizing dishes and to dry them properly after washing.
The heater element consists of a thin, circular tube that is positioned toward the bottom of the dishwasher tub. It may or may not be covered, depending on the model.
If your heating element is damaged, the water might not be getting hot enough to clean and sanitize your dishes. Additionally, it may not be drying your dishes as efficiently as it should.
Thankfully, the heating element is easy to diagnose and replace. To test the heating element, use a multitester (also called a multimeter) and set it to the ohms setting. Touch each probe to a terminal and watch the reading.
Motor
A dishwasher cleans dishes and cooking utensils by using a high pressure water spray driven by an electric pump. The motor is an essential part of the system as it makes the pump move water in and out of the dishwasher during a wash cycle.
The motor can have a built in motor controller to allow the appliance to be operated at multiple speeds with a soft start, smooth ramping between speeds, and load control to reduce energy costs while preventing noise. Some models also have sensors that adjust the wash duration based on the number of dirty dishes or the amount of dirt in rinse water.
The motor has a shaft 25 which extends through the first end cap 26 to close off the housing 40 from the motor and a fan 24 attached to the end of the shaft for cooling. The motor also has a brush gear 27 in the form of a pair of cage brushes and a motor terminal connector 28 for connecting to an electrical power source.
Timer
Your dishwasher uses a timer to control the start and stop times of the cycles. If this component is not working properly, the machine won’t turn on and may have problems starting and stopping the cycle.
The timer is located in the dishwasher’s control panel, behind the cycle control knob on some models. It controls the time and duration of all wash cycles, including the rinse cycle.
The timer works by advancing the control knob and rotating cams that turn on and off electro-mechanical components in the dishwasher such as the wash pump, drain pump and heating element. If the timer doesn’t advance or the cams fail to turn on and off the dishwasher’s components, replace it with a manufacturer-approved timer part.