Kenmore 665.13183K802 dishwasher won't heat water, but does dry

[socalpatrick]

Thanks in advance for considering my problem.  My Kenmore Elite 665.13183K802 (installed 2010) does not seem to be properly heating water. The heating element does come on for the drying dishes, but I’ve done a few spot checks during the wash cycle, and the water tests lukewarm and the heating element is never on/hot. A few things:

 

1. My washer is connected to hot water feed.  I run my faucet so the water is 120 degrees first entering the machine.  My tap does tend to go cold quick, so subsequent fills may not be at the full 120 degrees.
2. I ran Service Diagnostics. No error codes. The heating element was hot at end of the diagnostics cycle (for drying)]
3. I have spot checked the heating element a few times and tested water temp during the cycle (typically where the thermal hold times would be per the spec sheet) but the water just gets progressively lower (90's, 80's) and the heating element is never on.
4. No difference if I run a Smart Cycle, Normal Cycle, or High Temp cycle.
5. The sump is gently leaking at the diverter motor (a common complaint for this model), so I will need to replace the sump, and probably the diverter too (don't think it is pushing water to the upper arm, probably faulted due to the leak)
6. Footnote: Been dealing with a lot more recent smell from the washer when it first starts up and drains.   It's a foul smell.  We have the proper air gap and p-trap, but I'm thinking the lack of real hot water in the machine has made it easier for the nasties to grow.  Just cleaned it all out, sump too, so no smell now, but want to fix this heating issue and get ahead of it.

Any ideas of what to check next?  Going to pick up a multimeter.  Can the heating element still be considered faulty even though it comes on during dry?  Check control board or thermistor?  Wouldn't I see error codes for those, or get an error code in diagnostic cycle?

Any thoughts appreciated! thanks.

[16345Ed]

Check the thermistor should read 48k - 52k ohms at 77 degrees. 12k - 13k at 140 degrees. 

It seems like your thermistor might be thinking your water is hot when it is not. 

[socalpatrick]

Thanks.  Got the multimeter.  Checked my high temp thermostat and seems ok (has continuity and reads zero).  Also heating element reads okay for continuity and per the spec sheet between 10-30ohms.   The part is referred to as Thermostat on the parts diagram (thinking this is also the Thermistor?)  

Not much of an electrician but I saw this amongst the wiring harness (see attached picture)  looks scorched.  Thoughts ? Not sure what I'm looking at and looking to see how I can test the wiring with multimeter

I'm hearing if the thermostat and heating element read okay then the next likely element is control board or wiring harness. 

Image of scorched wire

https://i.imgur.com/R29kVge.jpg

 

[socalpatrick]

Actually reading the spec sheet more the thermistor appears to be built into the soil sensor/Owi.  Pulled that out but not seeing a clear way to test that part. 

[johntech]

You need to leave it installed in the machine and test it from the board.