KDTE104ESS104 Kitchenaid dishwasher not cleaning

[jkmhb]

As title says.

What I've observed:

- Dishwasher fills and drains OK.

- Dishes don't clean, soap does not dissolve.

- Most of the time sprayer does not spray. It does spray once in a while, more often on Proscrub setting, almost never on Normal setting.

- The filter is clean.

- No error codes on normal service. I have not yet run diagnostic.

- Run time seems very long. Even though it does not clean dishes.

- I'm almost certain it is not ever heating the water.

I suspect the turbidity sensor. Am I on the right track?

Thanks!

 

[16345Ed]

Do you hear water being circulated during wash cycle?

[16345Ed]

If water is being circulated I would disassemble and clean spray arms and sump area. 

[jkmhb]

Spray arms are clear.

Most of the time water does not circulate, but some times it does. It more often circulates when on Proscrub. Almost never circulates when on normal.

[jkmhb]

Opps model # is KDTE104ESS1 - can't see how to edit this on the title.

[16345Ed]

Need to see if circulation motor is getting power during cycle in question. 

[jkmhb]

I will do that test later this evening and report the results.

[RhodyGrad]

If motor is getting power, most likely there are food particles stuck in the screen down in the sump. This will diminish the "cleaning power" of your dishwasher.

Pop off the cover with a star bit and remove gray cover, clean the screen wicked well. Have seen problems where it affects the pump, easy to pop in a new sump on this model.

[Lighthouse]

I have changed out many of sumps on this type because wash pump not working. Very common. Got voltage to pump then change sump.

Part number: AP6023350

[16345Ed]

14 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

Got voltage to pump then change sump.

This is classic!

[jkmhb]

Thanks to all for your help. Last night I went through diagnostics and then I was going to do the voltage test.

During diagnostics, it gave a 5-1 error (door error, because I don't think I closed the door quickly enough after I started the test).

Then when it was done I ran a test cycle.

Then I ran some dished through.

Darn thing is working OK now. How is this even possible?

If it fails again I will do more testing.

 

[Lighthouse]

I have the circulate pumps be flakey and not work intermittently. If it is running then run it till it stops again then do voltage test.

[Jedi Appliance Guy]

On 3/20/2018 at 6:11 AM, Lighthouse said:

Got voltage to pump then change sump.

Part number: AP6023350

I must remember this 

[jkmhb]

Changing the pump fixed it!

[Mr app of Lex]

Ge dishwasher model GDT545PGJ2WW. Turbidity sensor will click and flash a green light no allowing cycle to start. Why is it quickly flashing green. Other components ran in test mode. Ordered a turbidity sensor. Could this also be a board issue.

[jkmhb]

Wanted to mention, this only fixed it for a while. We replaced it with a Bosch, now all is good!