Dishwasher Won’t Drain? Repair, Don’t Despair

Are you having trouble with your dishwasher? Is the machine full of water? Does it refuse to drain? Don’t despair, this can be an easier DIY fix than you could imagine. Most dishwasher repairs can be made by a homeowner armed with a few tools, a little knowledge and some mechanical skills. The first thing you have to look at with dishwasher repair is how the machine works. There are many resources on the Internet for appliance repair. They usually take you step-by-step through the repair process. Most have exploded views of the appliance in question, in this case, your dishwasher. Some sites even have links so you can order the part you need to complete your repair. At the end of this article, you will find a list of sites that will be helpful to your dishwasher repair job.

Before working on your dishwasher, remember that it is hooked to both your home’s electrical and plumbing supply. Sometimes, the electrical is switched right by the sink. If this is the case, just simply make sure the switch is in the off position. You might want to tape it in the off position for added safety. Some dishwashers have a regular electrical cord and are plugged in under the sink in the cabinet area. It is simply a matter of unplugging the cord from the outlet to kill the power to the dishwasher. Some dishwashers are hardwired directly to your home’s electric system. In this case, you will have to find the proper breaker or fuse.

The water supply shutoff is usually found under the kitchen sink in the cabinet area. If it is not under the sink, find the riser (water pipe) in the basement going up to that area. Turn off the water. Never work on a dishwasher that was just in use. The water and the parts will be hot.

The first thing to check on a dishwasher that doesn’t drain is the drain line. This is the most common and easiest fixed solution. This problem can usually be fixed by unhooking the drain line from the household drain and the debris removed.

If the drain line is not the problem, the next thing to look at is the drain valve. The drain valve is usually located in the bottom section of the dishwasher. Consult your owners manual or look at one of the websites listed below to help you find and gain access to the drain valve. To find the drain valve, look for a water hose running from the motor or the tub. The valve will have a gate arm on it. You should be able to move this gate arm easily. If the gate arm doesn’t move freely, replace the valve. The gate arm will also have two springs on it. If either spring is missing or damaged, replace the springs.

On the drain valve, you will find a solenoid. You can test the solenoid using a multimeter. Remove the wires going to the solenoid, making sure to mark the wires. Set the multimeter to the ohms settingX1. Touch a probe to each terminal. The multimeter should read around 40 ohms. If the reading is different than 40 ohms, replace the solenoid.

Here are some helpful websites to help you with your dishwasher repair problems:

http://www.acmehowto.com/

http://www.repairclinic.com/0001.asp

If your dishwasher won’t drain, do not worry. With a little mechanical ability and a little research, you can have your dishwasher running as it should in just a few hours.