Kenmore Dishwasher Problem
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Kenmore Dishwasher Problem
I have a Kenmore Elite dishwasher. It washes fine but the "Sanitized" light flashes after a cycle which appears to indicate that the heater element is functioning correctly. According to the schematic, the heater should be 10-35 Ω. It tests at 9.7 Ω.
Any appliance guys with any ideas?
According to Sears, the heater is NLA. The unit is about five years old, made by Whirlpool.
Thanks as always.
Any appliance guys with any ideas?
According to Sears, the heater is NLA. The unit is about five years old, made by Whirlpool.
Thanks as always.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Maine, Virginia
I've never gotten more than five years out of a dishwasher and I don't consider them worth repairing. I've owned two whirlpools in 10 years. I throw them away when they begin to malfunction and buy a new one.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
That's what my friend who manages a Sears service center told me. But, running the model number of the machine (both on Sears and Whirlpool sites) comes back as the part is NLA, not the part number. I was able to find a couple distributors that have the part but they are online and I hate the thought of buying a $100 part online and finding out it doesn't fit right.
At this point I am more wondering about whether I am even looking at the right cause. The resistance shows it is technically out of range but 9.7 is real close to 10.....
Thanks
At this point I am more wondering about whether I am even looking at the right cause. The resistance shows it is technically out of range but 9.7 is real close to 10.....
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Lafayette, IN
0.3 ohms is negligible. Your meter could have that much error to it. I'd look elsewhere. From what I've ever heard, there are two types of dishwashers out there--Kitchenaids and all the rest. I actually picked up a free Kitchenaid last year that was 25 years old to replace a 10-15 year old GE that I was tired of fixing the door springs on (3 times in less than 2 years).
Jason
Jason
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From: MA
Ray, check out this site.. Appliance Parts From RepairClinic.com - Guaranteed Same Day Shipping.
They have pictures of the parts so maybe you can see if it is the sa,e..
They have pictures of the parts so maybe you can see if it is the sa,e..
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Jason - I was thinking the same thing about the meter but it has been tested as very accurate when compared to some known values and other meters. 0.3Ω is pretty small but it may be enough to put it out of expected range and cause the error light to flash as it is doing.
Don - I think that is one of the sites I have looked at. I am debating whether to buy the part and hope for the best or pay the $75 diagnostic charge and hope they can tell exactly what is wrong. Then I can order the part and put it in myself rather than having to pay Sears to come back and put it in after they order the part and mark it way up.
Or, I could yank the dishwasher completely and put a cabinet back in there like it was when I bought the house......
Don - I think that is one of the sites I have looked at. I am debating whether to buy the part and hope for the best or pay the $75 diagnostic charge and hope they can tell exactly what is wrong. Then I can order the part and put it in myself rather than having to pay Sears to come back and put it in after they order the part and mark it way up.
Or, I could yank the dishwasher completely and put a cabinet back in there like it was when I bought the house......
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
Yeesh, our Kitchen Aid dishwasher is over 20 years old, and is still going strong. Can't believe new ones only last ~5 years?
Thanks for all the advice. I'll probably have it looked at and maybe bite the bullet and have it fixed once.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: West Valley Utah
I honestly think that with most electronics anymore, including dishwashers, tv's, freezers, they just are not worth putting money into. Some of the expensive or top of line models of course I would fix but for a normal $350-$450 dishwasher, not worth it. I'd rather put the money toward a new more efficient unit.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
What sucks is that this wasn't a cheap machine. It was $674 including tax and delivery back in July 2004. It is an energy efficient, water saver, stainless steel tank model. Lesson learned there. Next one I buy will be the cheapo version.
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From: Maine, Virginia
I always get the middle of the road whirlpool models. The seem to run about $350-$400. No real frills, no stainless steel and it doesn't have 900 buttons. Just the basic wash, rinse, dry and sanitize features. The lower end machines have the same timers, electronics and mechanicals as the high end models.
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North of Boston MA
I always get the middle of the road whirlpool models. The seem to run about $350-$400. No real frills, no stainless steel and it doesn't have 900 buttons. Just the basic wash, rinse, dry and sanitize features. The lower end machines have the same timers, electronics and mechanicals as the high end models.
The machine I have still works fine on most modes so I'll run it for a while longer. I may be doing my kitchen over this year anyway. Maybe swap it out then.