DISHWASHER PROBLEMS by David Lawyer Aug. 1995, Mar. 2004 1. WASHWATER TEMPERATURE NOT HOT ENOUGH: The built-in water heater in the dishwasher tank is supposed to keep the washwater hot. Check to see that it's set to say 160 deg. Push the red button if the small amber light (above the red temperature dial) is not on. If the heat is on, just waiting a while will allow the washwater to heat up. Each time the dishwasher rinses (and also during filling), the rinse water enters the washwater tank. If the rinsewater is cool, the washwater may get cool also. It you think that this is the cause of the problem, see below under the heading "Rinsewater ...". 2. RINSEWATER TEMPERATURE NOT HOT ENOUGH: The rinsewater comes from the water heater in the basement via a 3/4 inch insulated pipe. Feel the pipe on the right side rear of the dishwasher to determine if the rinsewater is hot (or look at the temperature gauge for the rinse). If the dishwasher has not washed dishes a few times in the last half hour or so the hot water in the pipe under the floor may have cooled down some. I takes about 4 wash-rinse cycles (4 racks of dishes washed) to transport water from the waterheater to the dishwasher. Note that only the dishwasher gets hot water directly from the water heater. The other "hot" water faucets obtain a mixture of hot and cold water. a. WATER IS INITIALLY TOO COLD: To get hot water initially you have to let the rinsewater spray into the dishwasher for about 40 seconds with the drain valve open. Is the water heater in the basement working? If someone inadvertently lets hot water spray for a long time into the dishwasher with the drain valve open, then hot water will just run down the drain and exhaust the supply of hot water. If so, wait for the water in the water heater to heat up again. b. RINSEWATER IS ONLY WARM BUT NEVER HOT: After the water has run initially for at least 40 seconds it should be significantly hotter than the hot water in the kitchen sink or over the garbage disposal. The check valve nearest the center of the water heater in the basement may be struck. Test it by feeling the hot water piping in the basement: With the hot water on at the dishwasher the temperature of the water heater outlet and the hot water feed pipe above the water heater should be the same. If not clean the check valve (see below). 3. WILL NOT START TO FILL: The door must be down (closed) and the switch in "auto". a. RED LIGHT OFF: Push the door handle down as if to close the door some more. This will push down the interlock switch some more (next to the white roller at the back-right side of the dishwasher). If this fixes it, get someone to adjust the interlock lever. If this fails to fix it, it's likely that no electricity is reaching the dishwasher: Check the circuit breakers. b. RED LIGHT ON: The water supply is likely shut off. The vacuum breaker may be stuck. Tap on its top near the wall on the left side. It looks something like a bicycle bell on top. If this doesn't work check that hot water is feeding thru the water heater. (The inlet valve with a red handle must be open.) 3. STARTS TO FILL, BUT THEN WASH CYCLE STARTS: This means that the noisy wash cycle starts with almost no water in the tank. The problem is likely that the water level sensing electrode is likely not working due to calcium deposits. It's located in the water tank under the last filter tray. It has a protective plate above it so it's hard to see. It's at the water level line. It needs gentle cleaning since it has a needle size electrode which is indside a tube. You might try cleaning it with a brush of some kind, possibly with a calcium-removing chemical such as CLR. The electrode has a nut on the end, but it wouldn't turn easy and I didn't turn it since I was afraid that something might break if I put too much torque on it. 4. WATER SPRAYS OUT WHEN THE DOOR IS UP: The interlock switch is stuck and needs oiling, etc. It's on the top near the wall on the right side and is not easy to oil as it must be taken apart. 5. DISHES DON'T DRY RAPIDLY: The dishes normally don't need to be dried by hand. a. Wash and/or rinse temperature is not hot enough. b. Rinse liquid in bottle on top of the dishwasher is not very green anymore. If so replace it. Hold bottle and push top ring up. Then pull old bottle down. While pushing up on top ring, insert new bottle. While pushing new bottle up, pull ring all the way down to lock bottle in place. CLEANING CHECK VALVE: To clean the check valve in the basement first figure out which one is stuck by feeling the pipes to determine water temperature. Shut off both the hot and cold water. Take off the nuts and use needlenose pliers to remove the pivot. For a temporary fix, tap the check valve or shut off the black handle (cold water). If you shut off this cold water then all the hot water faucets in the church will be supplied with hot water instead of warm water (obtained by mixing hot and cold water). ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: See the "Instruction & Parts Manual" in the office property files. Also see the typed sheet by David Lawyer attached to it.