dishwasher soap dispenser door not opening

[rfuerst911sc]

Slowly getting moved into our retirement house , this weekend was the first time my wife tried the dishwasher . All systems seems to work fine , no funky noises but the soap dispenser door does NOT open during the wash cycle. She tried " normal " and " pots/pans " and when the washer completes the cycle we find the soap door is still closed with all the soap in it.

Manually testing the door it springs open just fine , so what actually triggers the door to open ? If it matters it is a Kenmore . I really don't want to replace what appears to be a perfectly fine dishwasher for just the soap dispenser but it defeats the purpose without it

[HardDrive]

We don't use it. We buy those little gel packs. Toss one in the bottom of the wash and press go. Works fine.

[Scott Douglas]

If you think about it, the door only serves to give you an idea of what the correct amount of soap is. On ours, the first cycle is 'wash' so the door opens right away.
Could just as easily added the soap to the bottom of the washer, but filling the container puts the right amount in.

[john70t]

Not sure how they work.. Electric lock switch activated by timer position? Hot water activates a thermo-plunger?

I need to run the sink until hot or I get detergent residue left over.
I also add liquid detergent to beginning and a big cup of hot water so the pump doesn't run when dry.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

We don't use it. We buy those little gel packs. Toss one in the bottom of the wash and press go. Works fine.

This...plus the gel packs contain rinse-aid, so that you don't have to add that either.

[billybek]

The door mechanism may just be scaled up.
Try running the washer empty except for a large cup or more of white vinegar placed in the lower rack. As the machine goes through the wash cycle it gradually overfills the cup with the vinegar in it and it helps descale and clean the machine.
I did this once or twice a year with my old dishwasher and it looked new inside. It also broke down some of the scale that was in the detergent door allowing it to work correctly again.

[Evans, Marv]

My wife had that problem until I pointed out she wasn't supposed to put large diameter pans or dishes right up in front of it keeping the door from being able to open. After that, things worked fine.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

We don't use it. We buy those little gel packs. Toss one in the bottom of the wash and press go. Works fine.

+1 and my little door works but I don't bother. I believe the mechanism is heat activated.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

My wife had that problem until I pointed out she wasn't supposed to put large diameter pans or dishes right up in front of it keeping the door from being able to open. After that, things worked fine.

same with ours, my wife would put big plate in front of the door not allowing it to open.

[rfuerst911sc]

Thanks guys we will try the gel packs . The dishwasher obviously came with the house and " could " be original from 1996 so not going to throw any money at it . I think they use a bi-metallic strip to trip the door opening . I failed to mention this house is on a well and the water would be considered hard . No bad smells , no iron deposits but water as nature produces it so may try some vinegar as a last resort .

[javadog]

Google the problem. No doubt, someone has already had this problem, fixed it and filmed himself in the process.

My dishwasher opens the door mechanically, about a half hour into the 90 minute cycle. I wouldn't assume you could just toss the soap in on the front end, without knowing what your exact model does. If it starts by giving the dishes a quick rinse, then pumps all the water out, you'd be screwed.

FWIW, I use the Cascade Platinum soap packs. Nothing else I've tried works worth a damn.

JR

[Rtrorkt]

if you put pots, pans, bowls in front of the door on the bottom rack it blocks the water needed to fully open the door. Been through this with our Fridgedaire

[Jeff Alton]

Our Samsung had the same problem under warranty. They replaced the dispenser, all good 5 years later...

[Holger]

Our has an electrical triggered opener. But you should not place any large plate or similar in front of it because the upper arm flushes the compartment.