Fisher Paykel DS603 burns out control boards

[studioj]

If this were not a custom panel built-in unit and if Fisher and Paykel in their infinite wisdom hadn't made their new model custom dish drawers a different size (really frustrating... am guessing some value engineer figured they could save $1 per unit by switching sizes), I'd have junked it by now. However, hacking my custom cabinets to pieces isn't an option... My 2004 DS603 started leaking from the lid. It wasn't bad but enough that the dishwasher shut itself down once a week and it took 3 - 4 days to dry out. No problem I thought, easy fix, I'll replace the lift motors. That didn't fix the leak. So I replaced the lid. Real pain in the neck for something that seems like it should be simple. Somehow I got the lid on backwards and of course it basically rained in the dishwasher cabinet the first time I ran it. The water sensor in the cabinet triggered with the familiar beeping and drain motor running constantly so I pulled the unit out to find a good 1/4" of water in the cabinet bottom. The mains board had started smoking and by the time I got the breaker turned off, the mains board had pretty much turned to charcoal on the sensor end.

OK, so I figured I'd dry everything out, turn the lid around, replace the mains board (part number 529849P) and about $100 in additional parts later I'd be back in business. Well, when I fired the Dishdrawer up, after installing the new mains board and cover, nothing happened. The badge didn't work. Nothing worked. After about a minute a foul smell came from behind the front panel. I shut off the power at the breaker and after investigating, found that the controller had gone up in smoke - literally. Ugh. So $150 later I had a new controller (part number 528397usp) . I also figured I'd replace the heater unit and motor stater since those are the only things that consumer any real power from the controller board... just to be sure. So I got new parts for each and put them in. While I was installing them I checked all the wires... everything looked good.  I checked the mains board, it looked fine, verified the L was the hot wire and N was neutral with my meter, replaced the controller, buttoned it all back up and turned on the power. About a minute later... smoke again from the controller board... WHAT!? So now I've ordered yet another mains board and another controller... I could have rebuilt this entire dishwasher 3 times for what I have into it in parts... and I have every expectation that when I turn the power on again, it's going to smoke another controller... what's up? There are not really any more parts to replace except the fan, dispenser and water valve but I really don't see how those can be causing the controllers to smoke or why they might have gone bad because of the initial water/mains board meltdown. The part in the controller that is smoking is the large black capacitor in the center of the board if that means anything. Anyone got any suggestions or ideas? 

[J5*]

 

well first the new model is the same size so you could fit it without a problem 

 

2nd , there is either moisture or you have a fried component , so its out with the service manual and multi meter and meter all parts 

 

its now 12 years old i would replace it with the new model 

 

[studioj]

Are you sure about the size? I called F/P, told them my model, asked them if I could simply replace with the new model and they said "NO" that I would have to modify my cabinets. I was very clear with them about the size of my door panel and the year/model serial number. I even had a conversation with the rep about how unhappy I was that they had changed the size of the unit. I'd be happy to replace this thing... as I have already paid for the cost of a new one in parts. But I can't swallow $4,000 in custom cabinet work to try to match my cabinet finish etc. What information do you have that says they are the same size? If I look at the specs on F/Ps site, the dimensions are different between the old DS603 and the new unit. 

As for fried parts... I've replaced everything... mains board, controller, stater, heating plate, lid lift motors.... my concern is that the replacement part numbers that F/P is using may not be truly compatible... the controller and mains board both have substitute part numbers. 

[J5*]

i am sure about the size as i install them regularly to people just like yourself with an end of life product 

 

you may have been misinformed , the new integrated version they changed the venting system to satisfy kitchen designers 

the designers want small gaps between the cupboards 

your current doors will fit the new model , you then have 2 options , you either fit the venting kit which means a vent pipe out the back and need to fit into the bottom of the cabinetry , all stuff that would cost you no money to do unless you paid someone to do it  or option 2 which would be best 

the new model doesnt use the button badge but what we do here for people in your situation is we supply a white unit and a new badge isolator box , this allows you to resuse your integrated door panel and retain the buttons and no need to do the venting mod