Dishwasher repair assistance please?

[Bateluer]

A week or so back, I made a post about my dishwasher no longer starting. As best I could tell, the door switches were the culprit. So, I ordered two replacement switches, but I'm running into difficulty actually replacing them. Online help docs just say to remove them, and in the few Youtube videos I was able to locate on the subject, the tech just seemed to pull the switch and its terminals effortlessly from the bracket and wires. The attached pictures may clarify a little.

How do I remove the wires from the white plastic bracket that houses the switch's terminals? Without completely destroying it?

 

[leckley]

This may sound obvious, but did you look at the new version and see if how it looks. You would be able to see it without the wires and from there it should be obvious?

 

[PottedMeat]

uh isn't the white plastic part supposed to come off with the wires?

the microswitch ( google pics ) is just the black part with the bronze looking terminals, the spade connectors + wires + plastic holder should just come off.

edit: what do the replacements look like?

 

[Modelworks]

You need to use a flat screw driver to push down the plastic to pull out the wires. In the last picture it is the little plastic tabs sticking up against the metal connector. Once that is off check the connectors, some have a tab that secures them to the mating connector to make sure the wire doesn't just slide off. That tab has to be pushed down or pulled up to unplug it.

 

[bruceb]

That type of switch was designed to fit directly into the connector.
Switch has 1/4 male tabs, connector has the female side. It just
pushes into the connector. You may need to wiggle it somewhat
to remove the old switch. Terminals should not need to be removed
from the connector housing to replace that type of switch.

 

[Bateluer]

You need to use a flat screw driver to push down the plastic to pull out the wires. In the last picture it is the little plastic tabs sticking up against the metal connector. Once that is off check the connectors, some have a tab that secures them to the mating connector to make sure the wire doesn't just slide off. That tab has to be pushed down or pulled up to unplug it.

Was trying that, seems like I was having to apply a lot of force to it.

FYI, the replacement switches have naked bronze terminals, without the plastic piece and wires attached.

Edit - Where exactly am I pushing with the screw driver? If I apply any more force to this thing, its going to come apart. Easy to install, my ass.

 

[bruceb]

See post above .. You Do Not need to remove the wires from the connector.

 

[Bateluer]

See post above .. You Do Not need to remove the wires from the connector.

Tried pulling out just the switch and terminals as well, they don't budge. How much force is usually needed for this?

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Was trying that, seems like I was having to apply a lot of force to it.

FYI, the replacement switches have naked bronze terminals, without the plastic piece and wires attached.

Edit - Where exactly am I pushing with the screw driver? If I apply any more force to this thing, its going to come apart. Easy to install, my ass.

On the last pic, just below the tab connector there's a plastic flap,(retainer). use a small flat screw driver, and push it down, WHILE pulling back on the wire.

 

[Bartman39]

That type of switch was designed to fit directly into the connector.
Switch has 1/4 male tabs, connector has the female side. It just
pushes into the connector. You may need to wiggle it somewhat
to remove the old switch. Terminals should not need to be removed
from the connector housing to replace that type of switch.

Do what the bruce said...:thumbsup: Get medievale with it...! Or... Cut the frick`in wires and get 2 female blade terminals and make your own (prefer to use the covered insulated type)...

 

[Bateluer]

Thanks for the tips, I got them out. Took a needle nose pliers and some elbow grease. The dishwasher now lives again.

Now, for two weeks of dirty dishes. . .

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Thanks for the tips, I got them out. Took a needle nose pliers and some elbow grease. The dishwasher now lives again.

Now, for two weeks of dirty dishes. . .

Ummm, you couldn't do them the old fashion way? kinda like sayin, the micro wave is broken, we're gonna starve, lol.

 

[Bateluer]

Ummm, you couldn't do them the old fashion way? kinda like sayin, the micro wave is broken, we're gonna starve, lol.

I'm a single guy who lives alone. Two weeks really isn't that much when you live off a diet of PBJs. You just start using a paper towel instead of a plate.

 

[Bateluer]

Of course, it only runs for a single cycle, then starts doing the same thing again.

 

[bruceb]

It would help to know:

Make and Model of dishwasher (usually on top of frame, open door, at top)
Exact problem you are having.

Depending on the problem, it could be a bad timer module. These can be either all electronic / digital or mechanical types. It is also possible that the Door Switch may need to be properly adjusted. Some models can adjust, others are fixed.

Does the unit fill up ok ? ?

Does it run ok ? ? ?

Does it empty out ok ? ? ? ?

Sometimes, you may be best off to call in a field tech for it.

 

[CPA]

Ummm, you couldn't do them the old fashion way? kinda like sayin, the micro wave is broken, we're gonna starve, lol.

Ours broke and was down for about a month. The kids about lost it when they had to wash dishes by hand. My stories about growing up without a dishwasher did nothing to soothe their complaints. Kids are friggin spoiled nowadays.

 

[Bartman39]

Or you might try here...? I`ve ordered from them before and had good luck... Also have a help section just need some info...

http://www.apdepot.com/index.asp

 

[Bateluer]

It would help to know:

Make and Model of dishwasher (usually on top of frame, open door, at top)
Exact problem you are having. Its a cheap Amana brand, outside of warranty by a couple months

Depending on the problem, it could be a bad timer module. These can be either all electronic / digital or mechanical types. It is also possible that the Door Switch may need to be properly adjusted. Some models can adjust, others are fixed.

Does the unit fill up ok ? ? When it ran, yes

Does it run ok ? ? ? When it ran, yes

Does it empty out ok ? ? ? ? When it ran, yes

Sometimes, you may be best off to call in a field tech for it.Looking into tracking down a tech.

Right now, when I close the door and press Start, several of the LEDs flash but nothing happens from the dishwasher, no spinning, jets, etc. When I say flash, the LEDs are extremely dim, almost like a tiny dim, green dot that's present only for the length of time the Start button is depressed. I can get the LEDs to go full bright, as normal, when pressing the Delayed Start or Cycle Length controls, however, the dishwasher still will not start on the timer. Wonder if the door latch mechanism itself is somehow bad? Anyway I could bypass the entire latch mechanism, so its always shorted(paperclip?) and thinks the door is closed? Obviously, I'd have to be careful to make sure the door was actually closed before using the unit . . .

I grew up without a dishwasher, and if it became necessary to do the dishes the old fashion way, I would do so. I'd rather not have to wash my rat's litter box by hand in the sink though.

 

[mrblotto]

I'd rather not have to wash my rat's litter box by hand in the sink though.

So you'd rather wash it in the dishwasher with all your other dishes?

D:

Seriously tho, good luck on getting it repaired.

 

[bruceb]

The Model # is a needed piece of information. We can't look up service notes or parts without it. But from what I have read, it looks like the control board is defective. You may want to disconnect the power to the unit, remove the board, inspect it for bad solder joints.
If nothing found, you will need to replace it.

 

[Bateluer]

 

[bruceb]

Unable to locate a service manual, but did find an illustrated parts list with part numbers.

http://shop.amana.com/assets/pdfs/literature/Repair%20Part List - W10294408.pdf

 

[Bateluer]

Unable to locate a service manual, but did find an illustrated parts list with part numbers.

http://shop.amana.com/assets/pdfs/literature/Repair Part List - W10294408.pdf

Found that too, it was how I confirmed the part numbers for the door switches.

Since this was such a cheap model to begin, I don't particularly want to drop a lot of money on repairs on it. It was ~220 brand new. But, if I replace it, I'm going with a better model in accordance with my policy of never downgrading. Means ~500 or so, but it'd be on my Home Depot credit card and interest deferred for at least 6 months.

 

[BoomerD]

http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?board=3.0

I've had nothing but good results from this site. IIRC, most of the folks there are appliance repair people...but some are just skilled home handymen.