Overheating GE dishwasher PDW8680N00SS

[AmTec Services]

Hey all! I have a GE dishwasher that melted the lower spray arm. Customer says it also melted some plastic ware. I have looked thru the parts list and cant find a temp sensor. What regulates the heater on this unit. What should I look for to prevent this from reoccuring?

Thanks in advance!!!!

....................AmTec

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

It's all done by a dumb timer. If you look at the timing chart for this dishwasher, you'll see that the heater has specific times that it's supposed to come on. There are no thermostats or thermistors. It's a dual-wattage calrod heating element that draws 835 W when during wet portions of the cycle and then, during the drying cycle, drops to 700 W.

That's one reason why on this dishwasher:

...the water inlet temperature must be at least 120 °F for proper drying. Low water inlet temperature will prevent proper convection air movement and increase drying time substantially.

(From Le Manuel)

l'll bet you're dealing with a stickig relay on the control board/timer ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Circuit-Board-or-Timer/WD21X10372/1472656?modelNumber=PDW8680N00SS

[JJSuperfly]

just to add my two cents worth, make sure you chase this problem to the end. Although not from the same discwasher my friend's D/W started a fire which, if it wasn't for their kid skipping school that day would have taken out the whole house. According to the firemen D/W fires are one of the leading causes of house fires. Never heard that before.

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

According to the firemen D/W fires are one of the leading causes of house fires. Never heard that before.

Me neither but I can believe it! Seen some pretty burned up wiring and countertops from dishwashers. Especially Ass Co.'s.

[certified tech group 51]

House fires and flooding..................#1 reason to never start an appliance and then ... LEAVE.......................................The dog cannot dial 911...........

[Scottthewolf]

My uncle had a fire caused by an electronically controlled coffee maker that was plugged in but turned off. The heater for the keep warm plate never turned off even though the coffee maker was turned off.