Dishwasher Problem Diagnosis

[1990C4S]

Update: I have fixed the kitchen sink drain problem now, which was a difficult all day affair with a trip to HD and a subsequent thorough snaking of the basement pipes. The trpa was not the issue, I had a clogged run across the basement ceiling. Sadly it was not the source of my dishwasher problem.

I did some more diagnosis, the check valve and drain pump are good, the water is not coming back into the dishwasher from the sink (and never was). The d/w pumps down as expected at the end of each cycle. But I do get water 'build up' after a cycle, and the drain pump clears it away as needed.

So....I believe the water inlet valve is not shutting off completely, it allows water to enter the d/w slowly over time, and the pump has to run to remove that water.

For $40 I've ordered a new Bosch water solenoid, I'm going to start there. I should technically investigate a bit more, and if the valve was $200 I would....

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

- it's not a bad fill valve, the water never goes above the normal fill volume

When I wrote that point above I failed to consider the fact that the drain pump will cover up a leaking inlet valve by getting rid of the excess water...mea culpa. Probably the sort of thing a repair guy sees once per week.

[cabmandone]

Interesting! Let us know how that works out. I sure thought it was a drain restriction.

[Kraftwerk]

Were you able to find the impeller on the water inlet & clean that to make sure it's giving the machine enough water? Sometimes water 'starvation' is the problem with my Jenn Air and not actual draining.

[pmax]

I believe most Bosch units have an ECU with diagnostic tests you can run.

Instruction manual is usually stuck on the side in a baggie.

Good luck.

[1990C4S]

I found time to swap out my water solenoid valve, and the dishwasher has been trouble free for several days.

I took the solenoid apart to diagnose the issue, and found this crap in the strainer:



I am theorizing that some of that 'stuff' got into the seals of the valve.

And I have no idea what it is...

[dad911]

well water?

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by dad911

well water?

No, city. My guess it the schmutz is from the seal on the dishwasher flex line water supply. It's nowhere else in the plumbing system. The screens on the faucets are clean.

[Kraftwerk]

If we all take our dishwashers apart, we will all find something in there thats not supposed to be there! Good to hear it's working for you now.