Finding out that your dishwasher isn’t functioning isn’t a great start to the day, especially when you’re also faced with the expense of arranging a schedule with a technician just to analyze and resolve the problem.
Fortunately, it’s possible to diagnose and fix some machine malfunctions yourself without having the urgency to call a dishwasher repair service, especially if you can find a multimeter.
You might even discover your hidden skill that you’re actually good at DIY, but if not, at least you’ll have a better understanding of the technical problem if you need to call a technician.
Things To Do If Your Dishwasher Won’t Turn on
Before you start looking for a new dishwasher at your trusted appliance store, there are a few common problems you can resolve all on your own without too much difficulty.
For Safety Measure: Always plugged out your dishwasher if you attempt to make repairs on it.
Common Dishwasher Issues That Will Prevent Your Machine From Turning On
Before examining your dishwasher for technical problems, make sure your appliance hasn’t been unplugged by mistake and none of the switches on the circuit breaker have tripped.
This is also the good time to see if the child lock hasn’t been activated as well as try restarting your machine.
You’ll probably need the manual for this job as machines are different from one another, but the child lock tends to get easily activated unintentionally. Likewise, if the dishwasher has lights but doesn’t work, the solution could be as simple as restarting the cycle.
Once you’ve singled out these following problems, you can then begin the actual troubleshooting.
- Have a look at the door latch or door latch switch.
- Check the timer.
- Test the selector switch.
- Test the motor relay.
- Check the thermal fuse.
- Test the drive motor.
To check these components you will need a multimeter or VOM (Volt Ohm Milliammeter) to give the resistance and electrical components a test run to verify whether they’re functioning or not.
Checking the Door Latch and Door Latch Switch
The first thing to check is the door latches and the door latch switches. Your machine is devised not to operate if the door latches are defective for logical reasons. You wouldn’t want to accidentally run the dishwasher with the door open.
A defective switch will prevent your machine from starting and running. You might want to check the switch with a multimeter. The switch is usually located behind the front door panel or control panel.
Guarantee that the dishwasher is turned off before removing the door panel and checking for continuity to make sure you won’t get electrocuted.
If you find that the latches or switches are damaged, you will need a replacement door latch assembly.
Timer Test
If the door latch and door latch switch are working properly, the next thing to check is the timer or electronic control.
This is the part of the machine that functions as the power distributor to all other working parts that the machine needs to be able to run smoothly, such as the pumps and the water inlet valve.
If your dishwasher has a timer or electrical control instead of a mechanical timer, you may need to check it while it’s plugged in, in which case you must make a call to a technician.
Checking the Selector Switch
The selector switch is the part of the dishwasher that selects the program, its style and location will vary depending on the make or design model of your dishwasher. A malfunctioning selector switch or even one that hasn’t been fully engaged might result in the dishwasher not to operate successfully.
You can usually see if the buttons are pressing completely or you may need to unplug the machine to look at the control panel and use a multimeter to put the connection stability through its paces.
Checking the Motor Relay
The motor relay is another working component that can affect your dishwasher not to operate successfully. Accordingly, this could be the problem if you have already tested the panel and learn that the motor should be powered.
To further investigate if this is truly the case, you’ll need to gain access to the motor and find the relay that’s usually installed next to it. This can be removed and tested with a multimeter. If it is defective, it may need a replacement.
Thermal Fuse Test
If you’ve tried all of the mentioned techniques above but still haven’t found the culprit, the next part of the dishwasher to give a test run is the thermal fuse. This may or may not be present and is intended to protect the control board from overheating.
If you need to replace it to restore power to the control board.
Drive Motor Inspection
The final working component to examine that may be preventing your dishwasher from operating is the drive motor. This is the component that distributes and circulates the supplied water to wash the dishes.
If you have checked the other working parts but still haven’t learned what the problem really is, then this could be the real problem itself, especially if your machine has had a history of making such a loud buzz.
You can usually gain access to the motor by removing the panel at the bottom of the machine. Check it using a multimeter to see if it’s defective. If so, it needs to be replaced with a new one.
When to Speak to a Professional Service
Not everyone has a multimeter at home or knows how to use one, even if they do. In this case, you must call a professional repair service.
If you have a multimeter and able to perform the techniques above, you may be able to troubleshoot without a help from a professional repairman. But just to be sure, it’s always better idea to call your reliable appliance repair company.
Lastly, check your appliance warranty as well as your home coverage since dishwasher repair’s cost may be covered, meaning the cost may not be as expensive as you imagine.