Discovering your dishwasher is broken is never going to be the best part of your day, particularly if you are also faced with the cost of phoning an engineer and taking time off work to meet them just to diagnose the issue.
The good news is it’s possible to pinpoint and often resolve plenty of machine issues by yourself without having to call for dishwasher repair, especially if you are able to find a multimeter.
You could realize you can sort out the issue quite easily yourself, especially if you are good at DIY, and if you can’t at worst you will be better placed to describe the issue when you do have to call an engineer.
In advance of considering a new machine there are a number of simple problems you can troubleshoot without too much issue.
Safety Warning: Never attempt repairs while your dishwasher is plugged in.
In advance of investigating your dishwasher for issues ensure that your dishwasher hasn’t been inadvertently switched off, and that none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.
This is also an opportune moment to check if the child lock isn’t on and try resetting your dishwasher.
You will often need the user manual for this as machines are all different however the child lock tends to be quite simple to put on inadvertently. Similarly, if the machine has lights but will not start, the solution could be as simple as resetting the program.
When you have ruled out these problems you can start the real troubleshooting.
To check these electrical components you will have to have a multimeter, or VOM (volt-ohm-milliammeter) to measure the resistance plus check the electrical components are working as they are meant to.
The initial thing to test is the door latches and door latch switches. Your machine is not designed to start if these are broken for obvious reasons. There’s no way you would want to be able to accidentally begin the dishwasher with the door not closed.
A broken switch will stop your dishwasher from starting as well as completing a cycle. You should check the switch using a multimeter. The switch is generally situated under the front door panel or control panel.
Ensure the machine is disconnected before accessing the door panel as well as checking for continuity to make sure you do not get an electric shock.
If the latches or switches are not working you will need a replacement door latch assembly.
If the door latch as well as door latch switch, are working as they should the next thing to test is the timer or electronic control.
This is the part of the machine that distributes power to all the other parts the machine needs to run including the motor, and the valves.
If your dishwasher is controlled electronically as opposed to mechanically then it might have to be tested while connected, this can be dangerous and should only be done by someone who is professionally trained.
The selector switch is the part of the machine that chooses the program , it’s style and location will vary contingent on the make and model of your dishwasher. A faulty selector switch or one that has got stuck may result in the dishwasher not to run.
You should be able to see if the buttons are depressing fully, or you may have to unplug the machine and gain access to the control panel to check the contact points for continuity with the help of a multimeter.
The motor relay is another component that could result in your machine not running, so this might be the issue if you have checked the control panel and thus have discovered that there is power running to the motor.
To investigate if this is the case you will have to find the motor and locate the relay that will usually be mounted next to it. This can then be removed as well as tested with the help of a multimeter, if faulty it may need to be replaced.
If you have tested all the above and are still looking for the issue the next part to test would be the thermal fuse. Note: Not all dishwashers have a thermal fuse.
If it will need to be replaced in order for the control board to get power.
The final component you could investigate that may stop your dishwasher from working is the drive motor. This is the component that circulates the water to wash your dishes.
Once you have tested the other parts yet still haven’t discovered the issue this might be the cause of the problem particularly if your machine has previously been making a loud humming noise.
You should be able to locate the motor by taking off the panel at the bottom of the machine. Test it by using a multimeter and replace if broken.
Not everyone has a multimeter, or would know how to use one even if they do, in which case you will be better off calling an engineer sooner rather than later.
If you do have a multimeter and can perform the above checks then you might well be able to sort out the problem without assistance. However if you are unsure it’s always better to call in the professionals.
Plus check your warranty and your home cover as appliance repairs could be included and so the costs could be less than you were expecting.
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