Finding out your dishwasher isn’t working is never going to be the highlight your day, especially if you have to deal with the cost of calling out a professional plus staying home to meet them just to pinpoint the issue.
The good news is it’s very feasible to diagnose and even fix a number of dishwasher faults alone without having to call for dishwasher repair, particularly if you happen to own a multimeter.
You might find you are able to sort out the issue quite easily by yourself, particularly if you are mechanically minded, and if you can’t at least you will have a better idea of the fault when you do phone an engineer.
Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Start
Before you begin looking for a new dishwasher there are a number of common issues you can troubleshoot fairly easily.
Safety Warning: Always make sure your dishwasher is unplugged before attempting repairs.
Everyday Dishwasher Faults That Will Stop Your Machine From Starting
Before you start going through the following list of potential faults make sure that your machine hasn’t been unplugged, as well as that there are no tripped switches in the circuit breaker.
This is also an opportune moment to check if the child lock isn’t on and try resetting your dishwasher.
You will often require the user guide for this due to the fact that models vary however the child lock is usually fairly simple to engage accidentally. Likewise, if the dishwasher has lights however will not run, the answer could be as simple as resetting the program.
Once you have ruled out these issues you can start the real troubleshooting.
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- Have a look at the door latch or door latch switch.
- Examine the timer.
- Examine the selector switch.
- Test the motor relay.
- Examine the thermal fuse.
- Check the drive motor.
To examine these parts you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to measure the resistance as well as check the electrical components are operating as they are meant to.
Checking the Door Latch as well as the Door Latch Switch
The first place to start is the door latches plus door latch switches. Your machine is designed not to operate if the door latches are broken for obvious reasons. You wouldn’t want run the machine without meaning to with the door open.
A faulty switch will stop your machine from starting plus operating. You may wish to test the switch using a multimeter. The switch will usually be found under the front door panel or control panel.
Ensure you have disconnected power to the dishwasher prior to accessing the door panel as well as testing for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.
If you discover the latches or switches are faulty you will need to replace them.
Testing the Timer
If you have tested your door latch plus door latch switch and ascertained they are operating as they should the next thing to test is the timer or electronic control.
This is the component that sends electricity to all the different parts the machine requires to run such as the motor, and the water inlet valve.
If your machine has an electric control rather than a mechanical timer then it could have to be tested while connected, in which case you should call a repair person.
Checking the Selector Switch
This is the part of your machine that selects the cycle and will vary depending on the make or model of your machine. A broken selector switch or one that has got stuck may result in the dishwasher not to turn on.
You can usually see if the buttons are going down all the way, or you might be required to unplug the machine in order to have a look at the control panel to check the connections for continuity with the help of a multimeter.
Testing the Motor Relay
The motor relay is an alternative part that may result in your dishwasher not starting, and this could be the issue if you have tested the control panel and have discovered that there is power running to the motor.
To investigate this you need to find the motor as well as locate the relay that should be located next to it. This could then be removed plus tested with the help of a multimeter, if broken it might need to be replaced.
Examining the Thermal Fuse
Once you have tested the above issues yet still haven’t found the issue the next part of the dishwasher to test is the thermal fuse. This may or may not be present and is designed to protect the control board.
If you will need to replace it in order to restore power to the control board.
Examining the Drive Motor
The final component you could test that may stop your dishwasher from working is the drive motor. This is the component that circulates the water to wash your dishes.
When you have tested the other components and still aren’t getting anywhere this might be the issue especially if you noticed a loud humming coming from the machine.
You should be able to locate the motor by removing the panel at the bottom of the machine. Test it using a multimeter and replace if broken.
When to Contact a Repair person
Not everyone has a multimeter, or would know how to use one even if they do, in which case you will need to call a repair person sooner rather than later.
If you are happy to perform the above checks then you might well be able to sort out the fault without needing a professional. However if you are con confident it’s always better to call in the professionals.
And examine your warranty as well as your home cover as appliance repairs may be included meaning the expense may not be as high as you think.
More Dishwasher Problems:
- Dishwasher Being Loud
- Dishwasher Leaking
- Dishwasher Not Draining
- Dishwasher Not Drying