Finding out your dishwasher isn’t working isn’t a great way to begin your day, particularly if you are also faced with the expense of phoning an engineer plus taking time off work to let them in just to diagnose the fault.
The good news is it’s often easy to pinpoint and often resolve a number of dishwasher faults yourself without needing to call for dishwasher repair, especially if you own a multimeter.
You may discover you can sort out the issue quite easily by yourself, particularly if you are quite handy, and if you can’t at worst you will have a better idea of the fault when you do phone a repair man.
In advance of considering a new machine there are a few common issues you should be able to identify without too much trouble.
Safety Warning: Always make sure your dishwasher is unplugged before attempting repairs.
In advance of investigating your machine for faults ensure that your dishwasher hasn’t been inadvertently switched off, plus that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.
At this point you may wish to also check that the child lock isn’t on and try resetting your dishwasher.
You will most likely require the user guide for this due to the fact that models vary however the child lock is often fairly simple to engage accidentally. Similarly, the dishwasher could have lights however will not run, in this case the solution might be as simple as resetting the cycle.
When you have eliminated these faults you can start the real troubleshooting.
To examine these electrical components you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to measure the resistance and test the parts are working as they should.
The first place to start is the door latches plus door latch switches. Your dishwasher is not designed to operate if these are not working for obvious reasons. You wouldn’t want begin the machine without meaning to with the door open.
A broken switch will stop your dishwasher from starting as well as operating. You should test the switch with a multimeter. The switch is generally found under the front door panel or control panel.
Ensure the dishwasher is unplugged before taking off the door panel plus checking for continuity to prevent yourself from getting an electric shock.
If you discover the latches or switches are faulty you will need a replacement door latch assembly.
If you have tested your door latch as well as door latch switch and discovered they are working correctly the next component to test is the timer or electronic control.
This is the part of the machine that sends electricity to all the different parts the machine requires to operate including the pumps, and the water inlet valve.
If your dishwasher is controlled electronically rather than mechanically then it may need to be tested while live, in which case you will need to call a repair person.
This is the part of your machine that selects the program , it’s style and location will vary contingent on the make or model of your machine. A faulty selector switch or even one that has not been fully pressed down may cause the machine not to turn on.
You can usually visually check to see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you may need to unplug the dishwasher in order to gain access to the control panel to test the connections for continuity using a multimeter.
The motor relay is an alternative component that can result in your dishwasher not running, and this could be the fault if you have tested the control panel and know that there is power running to the main pump.
To check this you will have to find the motor as well as locate the relay that should be located next to it. This can then be taken out and checked with the help of a multimeter, if broken you may have to replace it.
When you have investigated all the above yet still haven’t found the issue the next part to check would be the thermal fuse. Note: Not all dishwashers have a thermal fuse.
If you will need to replace it in order for the control board to get power.
The final component you can investigate that might prevent your machine from operating is the drive motor. This is the part of the machine that moves the water around to wash your dishes.
If you have tested the other components yet still haven’t discovered the issue this might be the issue particularly if you noticed a loud humming coming from the machine.
You should be able to gain access to the motor by taking off the panel at the bottom of the machine. Check it with the help of a multimeter then replace if faulty.
If you don’t have a multimeter or are not confident in taking panels off your dishwasher and checking the electrical components then you will be better off calling a professional sooner rather than later.
If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above tests then you may well be able to resolve the problem without needing a professional. But if you are unsure it’s always better to call in the professionals.
And have a look at your warranty as well as your home cover as dishwasher repairs might be covered and so the costs may not be as high as you think.
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