InfoZone


Diagnosing the Problem: The Drain Valve and Solenoid


*Note: Only dishwashers with single directions motors have drain valves. If your dishwasher has a reversing motor this cannot be the cause of the water fill problem you are experiencing.

Before you begin making any repairs to your dishwasher you need to turn off the power supply to the dishwasher.

Before you get started you will need some items. Make sure you have a screwdriver, small pliers, multitester – sometimes referred to as a multimeter, a pen and labeling devices for wire labeling.

The multitester will be your aid in diagnosing electrical issues and you will also use it to measure resistance. The way this is done is by measuring the ohms - resistance of the wire to flow of electricity. The range of ohms goes from zero to infinity. A reading of zero ohms shows that it is very easy for the electricity to flow. A reading of infinity means there is no path for the electricity to go through.

Most multitesters are hand-held with an LCD display. They have two wires referred to as leads. One wire is red and the other is black, with metal tips called probes.

Begin by removing the kickplate panel. The drain valve should be close to the motor. There will be a hose running from the motor leading to the drain valve. The solenoid (coil) and gate arm should also be connected to the drain valve. Try moving all these parts. Test to see if they move smoothly or not. Check to see if the springs are in good condition. If you do not see two springs you will need to replace them.

The coils are connected to two wires. Label the wires so that you can properly reconnect them later. Then disconnect the wires by pulling on the connectors. Do not pull on the wires themselves.

Now test the solenoid resistance with the multitester. Set the meter to RX1. Place each meter on one terminal and watch the reading. You should see a reading around 40ohms. If you see a reading of infinity or very far from 40 ohms then you will need to replace the solenoids.

To replace this faulty part, remove the screws that hold the solenoid in place and push on the plunger’s arm. Once this is done reassemble the dishwasher.