

This works best on a unit with a lever-type latch. Step 1: Latch the door and hold the latch tightly in the closed position.
HOW TO REPLACE A DISHWASHER HADLE HOW TO
Here's how to test and repair a door switch:

If the latch is not completely engaged or if the switch is faulty, the machine will not operate. On many dishwashers, the latch engages a switch to activate the timer and other control components. You may have to move the new latch back and forth several times before it works properly. Replace it with a new latch, connecting it the same way the old one was connected. If the dishwasher doesn't start, the latch is faulty. Close and latch the door and turn the control knob to the ON position. Tighten the screws to hold it in the correct position.Īfter repositioning the latch, check to see if it's working properly. Close and open the door to see whether the latch is properly aligned. Slide the latch with your fingers or pliers the screw slots are made especially for this purpose. Move the latch slightly by loosening the screws that hold it. In many cases, you may be able to solve the problem by adjusting the position of the latch. When this happens, the latch does not engage properly, and the dishwasher will not start. The latch may be loose, or it may have slipped out of position, throwing the alignment off and preventing the door from closing properly. The latch on a dishwasher door is opened and closed repeatedly, and this hard use can lead to mechanical problems.

Adjust the latch or the gasket until it fits snugly against the door frame. The trick is to position the gasket against the frame of the door without flattening the gasket or squeezing it too flat when the door is latched properly. If you spot a leak, and the gasket seems to be properly in place, try adjusting the door latch. Then run the machine through a washing sequence and check for leaks. If necessary, tighten or loosen the retaining screws, or refit the gasket in the clips or the door channel. It should fit tightly with no cracks or bulges between the gasket and the frame. Once the gasket is in place, check it for fit against the door frame. If you've gone through these five checks without finding the solution, it's time to dig deeper into the dishwasher. The newer push-button controls can be very sensitive make sure the buttons are firmly pressed into position. Step 5: Make sure the controls on the control panel are properly set. If you can draw hot water, the water heater may not be at fault. Test the hot water in the kitchen sink or bathroom. A breakdown in the water heater could stop flow of water to the dishwasher. Step 4: Make sure the water is turned on and the water temperature is high enough. If the dishwasher works, the latch is faulty and should be cleaned, tightened, or replaced. Then, still pressing the latch closed, turn the control knob to the ON position. To check the latch, close and latch the door, holding the latch tightly in place. The dishwasher will not operate until the latch is properly engaged.

Step 3: Make sure the door is tightly closed and latched. Replace the switch with a new one of the same type. If it doesn't light, the switch is faulty. If the tester bulb lights, the switch is functioning. Take off the switch cover plate and place one probe of the tester on one terminal and the other probe on the other terminal. Step 2: If the circuit is receiving power, and the wall outlet is controlled by a switch, the switch may be faulty. Shut off the water supply to the dishwasher at the shutoff in the basement or crawl space under the kitchen. Before doing any work on the dishwasher, make sure the unit is unplugged or the power to the unit is turned off, and remove the fuse or trip the circuit breaker that controls the circuit at the main entrance panel or at a separate panel. The water shutoff for the dishwasher is typically located below the adjoining sink.Ĭaution: Because the dishwasher is connected to both the plumbing system and the electrical system, you must consider both systems when working on this appliance. Water cooler than this usually doesn't get the dishes clean, unless your dishwasher is a newer model that preheats incoming water. For best dishwashing results, set the temperature control of the water heater to no less than 140 degrees Farenheit. The dishwasher is not connected to the cold-water supply. The water they use comes directly from the water heater, and wastewater is drained into the sink's drainpipe. Dishwashers usually run on 115-volt or 120-volt power.
