Look out: dryers aren’t the only appliances that can cause fires. And it’s a GE appliance, too–what a surprise! 
GE Dishwasher Fire Alert
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Category Archives: Dishwasher Repair
Appliance Tip of the Day: Dishwasher Drainology
Your dishwasher sounds like it’s working up a storm, draining all that yucky dirty water out, but you open the door and all that dirty water is still there. Houston, we have a problem. Ok, grasshopper, go grab you a cold one and hang on for a magical mystery tour into what causes dishwasher draining problems, also called the ancient and mystical art of dishwasher drainology. Let’s take ’em one at a time:
- Using Too Much Detergent
Some fancy dishwashers with electronic controls have sensors that detect when the pump is not pumping water. Using too much detergent creates a great head of foam in the dishwasher basin, like pouring a beer too fast into a glass. So if you use too much soap in one of these so-equipped dishwashers, the sensors think the dishwasher is empty and cuts off the pump (For you gadget geeks out there, it senses the pump work by using a sensing resistor in series with the motor main winding.) While we’re talking about detergents, that store bought stuff you’re using is screwing up your dishwasher. - You Forgot to Remove the Disposal Drain Port Knockout Plug
This usually only applies to the situation where you just installed a disposal and connected the dishwasher drain hose to the drain port on the disposal. Believe it or not, this happened to me on my first disposal installation job, too…no, not really. But I have seen many a grasshopper stumped by this. - Drain Solenoid Not Opening
Some brands, notably GE/Hotpoint and Magic Chef, use a drain solenoid to open and close the dishwasher drain port. If this solenoid isn’t opening during the drain cycle, could be a bad timer or solenoid. - Worn Pump Impeller
Other dishwashers, like Whirlpool and KitchenAid, don’t use a drain solenoid but instead reverse the motor to drain the basin. One possible reason for poor draining in this type of dishwasher is a worn pump impeller. You usually figure this by elimination…no, not that kind of elimination you dawg! I mean, if all the other suspects listed here check out ok, then you’ve got a worn pump impeller. The rebuilding kit for this repair is very inexpensive and is a great beer drinking project.
- Kinked or Plugged Drain Hose
Drain hoses can become kinked or crimped from poor installation, stuff being moved around, lots of reasons. It happens. This diagram of drain hose configurations shows you several approved drain hose layouts. Drain hoses can also get plugged from gookus. Plugs usually occur at the one of the drain ports–either on the dishwasher or at the other end. The best test is to take the drain hose off at the dishwasher and pucker up and blow like a fish. Yep, it can be pretty nasty putting your mouth on that stuff but, hey, that’s why we appliance techs make the big money.
- Air Gap Plugged with Gookus
Plumbing codes may require an air gap in your dishwasher drain hose and many houses have ’em. These air gaps do a great job of keeping sewer water from backing up into your dishwasher but they can become a source of problems, too. Sometimes, they’ll get plugged with gookus and they’ll need to be cleaned out. If it’s real bad or corroded, do yourself a favor and install a new air gap kit.
Well alright then.
Appliance Tip of the Day: Your Detergents Suck
There are many brands of commercially available detergents out there and they all SUCK. Why do they suck? Because they all contain fillers–inert, abrasive crap added to the detergent mix simply to take up space and to help clean your clothes or dishes by the abrasive action of the added silicates (sand). These fillers actually harm your dishwasher, washing machine, and clothes! Fillers in commercial detergents cause a whole host of problems including: clogging washing machine and dishwasher drain hoses, binding washing machine pumps, gunking up dishwasher impellers, creating foul odors in washing machines by providing nice homes for bacteria, creating leaks in dishwashers by working in between the tub gaskets and surfaces.
In addition to fillers, all commercially available detergents contain fragrances which give many people rashes, especially in sensitive nether regions, and other more subtle forms of allergic reactions, such as headaches and fatigue.
Many commercial detergents also add phosphates. For those customers on septic systems, phosphates are some of the worst things to put into your septic system. This is because phosphates are not readily biodegradeable and can accumulate in your septic tank creating nasty problems like overflowing and backing up.
Unless you enjoy adding these extra afflictions to your life, stop using those polluted detergents you buy at Piggly-Wiggly, SafeWay, or Wal-mart and start using real detergents that don’t have all that extra crap in ’em. “Ok, wise-guy Samurai, got any suggestions?” Sure do, thanks for asking.
Laundry Detergents
Power Formula Basic-L cleans clothes their whitest and brightest – especially when used with Nature Bright All-Fabric Laundry Brightener. Yet it’s easy on fabrics and gentle on sensitive skin. Basic-L also helps to guard against color transfer, so whites stay whiter and colors stay truer. Performs in all temperatures – even in hard water. If you have allergies and sensitivity to fragrances, Power Formula Basic-L Free, with no fragrance, dyes, or masking agents, is the product for you. Has the same powerful cleansing formula as Basic-L. Since it is sold as a concentrate, Basic-L saves you money, too. When used as directed, one nine pound box of Basic-L does the same number of loads as about 3.8 boxes of Arm & Hammer detergent.
Dishwasher Detergents
Use Basic-D Automatic Dishwashing Concentrate for sparkling clean dishes without all the added fillers. Cuts grease and baked-on food without chlorine. Top cleaning performance and phosphate free! Effective even in hard water. Again, this product is a concentrate and so saves you money. When used as directed, one 50-oz. box of Basic-D does the same number of dishwasher loads as 4, 45-oz. boxes of Cascade.
Try these products risk-free because they’re all backed by a 100% money-back guarantee! Best of all, your purchase helps support this free appliance repair website. Domo arigato!
Appliance Recall Alert
Whirlpool is recalling the door latch wiring in their dishwashers with model numbers beginning with DU8, DP8, DU9, and GPD. An example model number affected by this recall would be DU8700XY-1. The problem is the wire harness in the door latch can overheat and possibly cause a fire. Whirlpool has issued a repair kit, part number 4387485, to correct this. The kit includes four wire harness connections in the door latch area, two door switches, a door latch bolt, a door latch lever, and instructions.
Appliance Tip of the Day: Properly Loading a Dishwasher
Oh, I know what you’re saying, you’re saying, “Yo, Samurai, how stupid do you think we are that you think you gotta tell us how to load our friggin’ dishwasher?” Ahh, Grasshopper, did you know that improperly loading your dishwasher is one of the most common causes for having food and spit and slime left on your dishes after you’ve run ’em through? Yup, here’re seven simple dishwasher loading tips that’ll hepya get the gookus off your dishes:
- Load all your dirty dishes so that they’re separated and facing the center.
- If you place a large bowl or pan over the center of the lower rack, you’re gonna block the washing and spraying action of the center spray tower. Now how’re all them other dishes gonna get clean, genius?
- Similarly, don’t place larger items in front of smaller items ‘cuz they’ll sheild the smaller items from the cleansing spraying action.
- Bowls shouldn’t be nested together for the same reason.
- Spoons and other silverware should be loaded with some handles up and some handles down to prevent nesting. Y’see, Slick, it’s all about the spray. Think the spray. BE the spray.
- Don’t load anything that could block the spray arm. Now, you’d think I wouldn’t need to say that, wouldn’t you?
- Also, when loading large items, pay attention to where the detergent dispenser is and make sure it’s not gonna keep the dispenser door from opening.
Awwite, go wash you some dishes!