Model #KUDV24SEAL5, this dishwasher had been working great for years until the last few loads when it appeared the dispenser was not opening to release detergent during the wash cycles. There didn't seem to be any problem with the door release and the spring was still in place with sufficient tension to rapidly open the door by hand. With the holidays approaching, repairing the old reliable dishwasher seemed like a better idea than getting something new.

Detergent and hot water are the two things needed to ensure your dishes come out clean from the dishwasher, and a problem with either one is usually the reason for most poor washing service calls. The detergents used are not like the soaps we use to clean our hands, but rather they contain enzymes that attach themselves to the soils on the dishes and help to break their bond to your plates, glasses, and the rest. They work with the hot water to not only clean, but sanitize your dishes so everything is nice a clean when you take it out.

Because the enzymes in the detergents go to the food particles, it is important that you actually put dirty dishes in your dishwasher. I know many people that pre-clean their dishes in the sink first, but by doing so you are not allowing the dishwasher and the detergent you put in to do their jobs. Now you can go a bit overboard and simply toss everything into the dishwasher and hope for the best, but to ensure you have clean plates at the end, remove any remaining food particles that will not dissolve in water, then let the dishwasher do the rest.

The customer on this call was quite aware of the dispenser not working and through their own investigation, lead me directly to the problem. Dispensers are usually mounted to the inside door panel and will use a solenoid, or wax motor to dispense the detergents and rinse aids. These electrical components are usually mounted to the dispenser housing and will actuate the release lever allowing the spring loaded door to open at the appropriate time. So when one of these doors has failed to open, the problem can usually be traced to either the dispenser or the dispensers power source.

After removing the outer door panel, I used my multimeter to take a reading on the door release solenoid to ensure it was still functional. With my meter indicating the solenoid was an open electrical circuit, my search for the problem came to an end right there. Just to be sure, I next did a voltage check between the two wires from the control to the solenoid and measured 118 vac at the appropriate point in the cycle.

By removing a few more screws and the four wires, I was able to pull out the old dispenser and install a new dispenser in its place. A quick test cycle had the dispenser door opening right on Que. With the detergent being added to the wash, this dishwasher should again clean the dishes just like before.



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