Fisher & Paykel Dual Drawer Dishwasher DD605 - Drain Cycle Issue

[RSGCurtis]

Greetings!   I'm new to the forum, and it looks like a fantastic resource.

I have a Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer DD605i, and until now I have had many years of good luck and reliable service.  The failure is with the top drawer only, the bottom drawer works fine.   The top drawer, during a “normal” cycle, seems to get stuck in the spray/wash mode.  While the bottom drawer will periodically drain and refill, spray and repeat, the top drawer just keeps on churning away and doesn’t stop until you manually power it down.   Only after you press the “Power” button will the drain motor kick in and empty the tub.  
It does not throw codes, no extra beeping or other symptoms.     I’ve power cycled the unit (unplugged for a while), I’ve cleaned and checked the drain passages and impeller, swapped impeller and swapped the control unit with the bottom drawer, still no change.  There is no water in the bottom of the chassis, and no sign that there has ever been any.
I have run the “Fast Test Cycle Sub Mode” and it does fine in that mode, completing the cycle, draining and shutting down with just the fan running.  The drain motor tests fine in the “Hardware Output Test Sub Mode”.   I’ve tested the “Fast” wash setting instead of “Normal”, same old problem.

Some history:  The problem seemed to coincide with a power outage in our neighborhood.  My wife complained that she couldn’t get the top drawer open that evening…she had it pulled the drawer about 1/3 of the way out - I’d say she was forcing the drawer open just a bit, but not too hard.   I checked it out and found that the unit had no power because the GFCI had been tripped.  I reset the GFCI, the lid motor kicked in so we could open and close the door, and I thought it was all OK until I got more complaints from the wife shortly thereafter.   Not 100% sure the problem is related to the power outage, but the timing is suspicious.   I would appreciate any help you can give, thanks!

[J5*]

Is it heating ?

the drawer will run for iirc 4 hrs before throwing a f4 no heat fault code

im 100% sure that your problem will be a failed heater plate and it won’t be heating  since you swapped the control between drawers and would also explain the power tripping 

and back when 605 was made they had issues with the heater plate manufacture 

[RSGCurtis]

That sure sounds like a good tip.    I will check as soon as I get home in a couple of hours, and report back.  

Many thanks!

[RSGCurtis]

J5*,

You have our gratitude!

Looks like you nailed it on your first try, there seems to be a heating problem.   It does heat the water somewhat, but it doesn't get really hot and steamy like the bottom drawer.   Is my next step to go ahead and replace the heater plate, or are there any tests that I should perform first?

 

[J5*]

Replace the heater plate 

good luck on your journey , it’s a fun little job for the young players  

[RSGCurtis]

Replaced the heater plate last weekend and the little beast has been performing flawlessly.   Thanks so much for your help J5*!