VIII.

Troubleshooting

Basic Dishwasher Troubleshooting

Problem Possible Cause
9 Washability 9 Inappropriate dishwasher
problems (dishwasher detergent used.
won't clean properly)
9 Blocked or clogged upper/ lower
spray arms.
9 Water doesn't circulate properly
due to debris in circulation motor
impeller.
9 Filter not locked down securely, 9 Twist and remove filter, then remove debris
allowing debris to enter sump.
Suggested Action
9 Instruct customer to use a powdered
dishwasher detergent (e.g. Cascade powder).
9 Check spray arms – clean or replace as
needed.
9 Twist and remove filter, then remove debris
from right side of sump where water enters
circulation pump impeller. If debris has
jammed impeller, turn off and pull out
dishwasher, remove tank, remove circulation
motor and unscrew and clean out imp
HINT : If impeller is damaged, replace entire
impeller assemb ly or it won't seal adequately.
from sump. Instruct customer to twist and
lock filter (cylinder) securely into sump.

HINT : Water level will not
affect washab ility as water
fill is measured by
pressure, not time – water
level cannot b e adjusted.
CAUTION : Use caution when removing HINT : Due to high temperature rinse (161 o
deb ris from sump to avoid b eing cut b y b reaking down food deb ris and triple filtering
sharp deb ris such as aluminum can tab s system trapping food deb ris, filters shouldn't
or b roken glass. normally clog up. Prob lem often caused b y filter
not b eing securely locked down. Instruct
customer to twist and l
9 Drain hose behind dishwasher 9 Loop drain hose behind the dishwasher
doesn't have an adequate loop. (with the top of the loop) at least 20" above the
floor.
9 Partially clogged air gap, allowing 9 Unclog sink air gap.
wastewater from prior washes to
circulate in dishwasher.
NOTE : Cleaning sink air gaps is not covered
under warranty.
9 Water doesn't drain properly 9 See Water doesn't drain properly on
page 65.
9 Soap doesn't enter dishwasher 9 Turn off dishwasher and test actuator –
due to dispenser actuator (A2 ) failure. replace if faulty.

HINT : Must pull out dishwasher and HINT : One "wax" motor operates b oth the
remove left side panel to access float detergent and rinse aid dispensers through a
switch. mechanical linkage. The system always resets
when door closes. Check linkage b y moving it
manually. Check "wax" motor b y running a
continuity check on its terminals.
9 Suds or foam 9 Too much detergent used. 9 Instruct customer to use less.
remains in dishwasher. 9 Improper detergent used (other 9 Instruct customer to use a powdered
than powdered dishwasher detergent). dishwasher detergent (e.g. Cascade powder).

9 Dishwasher doesn't drain 9 See Water doesn't drain properly on

properly. page 65.

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VIII. Troubleshooting (continued)
Problem Possible Cause Suggested Action
9 Dishes won't dry 9 Rinse aid not used. 9 Instruct customer on using rinse aid –
properly. dishes won't dry without it.
9 Dishwasher has 9 Standing water in dishwasher 9 Unclog air gap. Make sure top of drain
an odor. sump. hose loop (behind dishwasher) is at least 20"
above floor (add a loop in hose if there isn't
one).
HINT : Water level in sump should b e
at or b elow drain motor cover.
9 Standing water in dishwasher 9 Turn off dishwasher, drain water manually
base. from dishwasher base and correct source of
water leakage.
9 Minerals in customer water 9 Recommend customer to get water tested
supply. and use an appropriate water softener.
9 Food debris in dishwasher filters. 9 Clean dishwasher filters.
9 Dishwasher won't 9 Dishwasher not turned on. 9 Turn on/off switch on.
run or indicator lights 9 No power to dishwasher. 9 Check customer circuit breaker, fuse box
won't come on. or power connections.

9 Door ajar or on/off switch failed. 9 Turn off dishwasher and check door or
on/off switch -- adjust or replace them.
9 Door latch has broken. 9 Turn off dishwasher and replace door latch
– instruct customer to not pull on door without
pulling latch.
9 Indicator light failed. 9 Run test program to see if light failed. If
so, turn off dishwasher and replace indicator
light.
9 Water doesn't 9 Kink in drain hose. 9 Straighten or replace drain hose.
drain properly. 9 Dishwasher filter(s) or sump 9 Clean dishwasher filters or sump.
clogged.
9 Drain motor impeller clogged. 9 Turn off dishwasher, remove drain motor
cover (in sump) and clean impeller. If
necessary, remove drain motor to clean
impeller.
CAUTION : Use caution 9 Kitchen sink or sink air gap 9 Unclog sink or sink air gap.
when removing deb ris clogged.
from sump to avoid b eing 9 Drain motor (m3 ) failed. NOTE : Cleaning sink air gaps or sinks are not
cut b y sharp deb ris such covered under warranty.
as aluminum can tab s or 9 Timer (SHU 30/40 models ) or 9 Turn off dishwasher and measure
b roken glass. module (all other models ) failed. resistance at motor terminals (≈ 16.5 Ω )
Replace faulty motor.
9 Improper drain connection height 9 Check voltage at and wiring to timer or
(< 20" or 508mm above floor). module. Turn off dishwasher and replace faulty
timer or module (for SHU/I 43/53 models,
install existing module jumper onto new
module ).
9 Install drain height and sink air gap
according to local codes.

NOTE: For minor problems from improper usage or lack of maintenance, please refer
customer to the Self-Help chart in their Use and Care Manual.
65
VIII. Troubleshooting (continued)
Problem Possible Cause Suggested Action
9 Dishwasher won't 9 Water in dishwasher base from 9 Turn off dishwasher, drain water manually
stop filling or won't leaky or loose hose. from dishwasher base and reinstall or replace
stop draining. hose.
9 Dishwasher isn't level, causing 9 Level dishwasher using front and rear
float switch (e6 ) to operate. leveling legs (see customer dishwasher
installation instructions).
9 Float switch or diaphragm (e6 ) 9 Turn off dishwasher and replace float
failed. switch or diaphragm.
9 Debris in dishwasher base 9 Turn off dishwasher and remove debris
activated float switch (e6 ). from dishwasher base
9 Water fills too 9 Low customer water supply 9 Adjust customer water supply pressure (to
slowly. pressure. 5-20 psi or 0.3-8.27 bars).
9 Inadequate customer water 9 Install appropriate piping to dishwasher
supply piping. according to local codes.
9 Scale in customer supply piping 9 Clean or replace clogged piping/parts and
or dishwasher piping/parts from hard have customer get water tested and use
water. appropriate water softener.
9 Water won't fill. 9 Customer water supply turned off 9 Reconnect and turn on customer water
or disconnected. supply.
NOTE : An "F" fault code 9 Water valve (s2 ) failed. 9 Check resistance @ water valve terminals
in the display shows (≈ 1000 Ω ). Turn off dishwasher and replace
there's a filling prob lem faulty valve.
( not filling, over-filling,
underfilling or water in the
base ). The fault code
can't b e reset manually –
it will reset itself 15
minutes after the
dishwasher has b een
turned on (aft
9 Water level switch (f1 ) failed. 9 Turn off dishwasher and replace faulty level
switch.
9 Timer (SHU 30/40 models ) or 9 Check voltage at and wiring to timer or
module (all other models ) failed. module. Turn off dishwasher and replace faulty
timer or module (for SHU/I 43/53 models,
install existing module jumper onto new
module ).
9 Water in dishwasher base 9 Turn off dishwasher, drain water manually
operated float switch (e6 ). from dishwasher base, find source of leaking
water and fix water leak.
9 Detergent or rinse 9 Dispenser actuator (A2 ) failed. 9 Turn off dishwasher and replace actuator.
aid won't dispense 9 Detergent dispenser door is 9 Free jammed detergent dispenser door.
properly. jammed.
9 Refill rinse aid 9 Rinse aid level switch failed (reed 9 Turn off dishwasher and replace reed
light won't come on switch e3 on standard dispensers or switch (standard dispensers) or top-load
built-in actuator on top-load dispenser.
dispensers).

NOTE: For minor problems from improper usage or lack of maintenance, please refer
customer to the Self-Help chart in their Use and Care Manual.
66
VIII. Troubleshooting (continued)

Problem Possible Cause Suggested Action

9 Water doesn't 9 Circulation motor (m2 ) failed. 9 Turn off dishwasher and replace motor.
circulate. 9 Timer (SHU 30/40 models ) or 9 Check voltage at and wiring to timer or
module (all other models ) failed. module. Turn off dishwasher and replace faulty
timer or module (for SHU/I 43/53 models,
install existing module jumper onto new
module ).
9 Water doesn’t 9 Hi-Limit (f5 ) tripped and failed to 9 Run test program & measure current to
heat up properly. reset. dishwasher. If current ≈ 11A, Hi-Limit is OK. If
not (and for all other models), turn off
dishwasher and measure resistance @ Hi-Limit
terminals (≈ .3 Ω ). Replace faulty Hi-Limit.
9 NTC (temperature sensor) failed. 9 Turn off dishwasher and check resistance
of NTC (≈ 55 k Ω @ 72oF). Replace faulty NTC.
9 Heater (r1 ) failed. 9 Run test program & measure current to
dishwasher. If current ≈ 11A, heater is OK. If
not (and for all other models), turn off
dishwasher and measure heater resistance (≈
11 Ω ). Replace faulty heater.
9 Water flow switch (e5 ) failed. 9 Run test program & measure current to
dishwasher. If current ≈ 11A, flow switch is
OK. If not, remove flow switch microswitch,
close its contacts & measure its resistance (≈
.4 Ω ). Replace faulty flow switch.
9 Timer (SHU 30/40 models ) or 9 Check voltage at and wiring to timer or
module (all other models ) failed. module. Turn off dishwasher and replace faulty
timer or module (for SHU/I 43/53 models,
install existing module jumper onto new
module ).
9 Dishwasher cycle 9 Customer hot water supply isn't 9 Adjust hot water supply according to local
runs too long, yet hot enough (< 140oF/ 60 oC). codes.
dishwasher washes,
rinses and shuts off
OK.
9 Water leaks from 9 Blocked or clogged upper or 9 Check spray arms – clean or replace as
front of dishwasher. lower spray arms. needed.
9 Excessive foaming. 9 See Suds or foam remains in
dishwasher on page xx.

NOTE: For minor problems from improper usage or lack of maintenance, please refer
customer to the Self-Help chart in their Use and Care Manual.
NOTE: Use a multimeter with temperature, voltage/resistance and current
(ampere) probes. Do all resistance checks with power turned off. Identify each wire
color and location at the control module before looking at this chart.
NOTE: You will need a T20 Torx screwdriver and may need #1/ #2 flat blade
screwdrivers and a pair of needlenose pliers. Many parts can be snapped out without
using tools.
HINT: Symbols for parts (e.g. " f3" or "e6 ") refer to those on circuit/wiring
diagrams.
67