Dishwasher not filling

[ollie76]

Afternoon folks,

My dishwasher is not filling so it's cleaning like ****. I've done quite a bit of research and everything points to a couple of problems. Just wanted to make sure I'm going down the right path and see what you guys think.

1. Water supply. Need to make sure the water is getting to the inlet valve. I'm pretty sure it is but you never know.
2. Inlet valve. Clogged? Malfunctioning? Any way to check this thing other than an ohmmeter check? Will inspect for clogging.
3. Float switch. Going to check continuity of switch and make sure it's operating.

Other than that, not sure what else to look for. It's a Fridgidaire, stainless steel model. Probably 8-9 years old.

 

[Zeke]

No. 3 would be my first guess.

 

[rkevins]

make sure you are getting power to the fill valve, 120vac maybe? be sure to check the wiring diagram

 

[lbmcse]

Afternoon folks,

My dishwasher is not filling so it's cleaning like ****. I've done quite a bit of research and everything points to a couple of problems. Just wanted to make sure I'm going down the right path and see what you guys think.

1. Water supply. Need to make sure the water is getting to the inlet valve. I'm pretty sure it is but you never know.
2. Inlet valve. Clogged? Malfunctioning? Any way to check this thing other than an ohmmeter check? Will inspect for clogging.
3. Float switch. Going to check continuity of switch and make sure it's operating.

Other than that, not sure what else to look for. It's a Fridgidaire, stainless steel model. Probably 8-9 years old.

Re. #1, Shut water supply, disconnect the supply line; suspend line over bucket and turn water supply back on. Simple enough.

Chances are the issue is integral to the dishwasher, and not the plumbing of the residence, but one never knows.

Re. #2, remove the inlet valve from the unit and check for physical obstructions.

Re. #3, I agree.

Good luck.

 

[JoeFin]

Re. #2, remove the inlet valve from the unit and check for physical obstructions.

Good luck.

I'm thinking sediment IN the inlet valve

 

[Milton Shaw]

Check the strainer in the kitchen sink faucet for junk in it. If it's clogged up then the dishwasher inlet valve is clogged also. Some water heaters anode rods would shed and clog all the hot water valves,(washing machine, dishwasher.) Reem had a recall on these several years ago. Also check and makes sure the dishwasher is not filling and then draining because the drain hose is not high enough to keep the water in the dishwasher. The floats on float switches would clog up with grease and soap scum and not let the float close the safety switch is another to look for. The timers on most could be advanced until their is voltage at the valve to check for operation but then it only gives current for 45 seconds or so. Also some models if all the cycle switches were not pushed in all the way (just half pushed) the circuit is not complete to the valve.

 

[RM209]

Check what the guys in the above posts said; checking the water supply and float switch shouldn't be too hard. Over the years I've had inlet valves fail in a dishwasher as well as a washer. That's my guess in your situation as well. Good luck.

RM209

 

[jhelrey]

I was going to chime in but they pretty much said it all...

 

[ollie76]

Thanks for the help! Will update this thread with what I find.

 

[ollie76]

Wow.....talk about being way off base. First cycle is a drain cycle, I mistook that for not filling. Anyways, here's what's really happening:

First cycle, I can hear it start up and try to drain and I can hear a bit of water going down the sink drain so that seems fine. The next cycle, the fill, starts and I can hear water coming in so that part seems ok. I did notice though that it does not bring in much water at all before the cleaning cycle starts. Not sure if that's normal or not.

During the next cycle there seems to be a definite problem. It's supposed to start pumping the water up to the agitators and cleaning the dishes but absolutely nothing happens. It just sits there doing nothing until it is supposed to drain the water out. Once again, that part seems to work.

As soon as it is supposed to start cleaning again, nothing. So water pumps in, water pumps out but everything in between is dead.

 

[jhelrey]

Test it with the door open. Use a butter knife in the switch for the door. That will give you your answer

 

[ollie76]

I'm thinking it's one of two things. Either the timer is not commanding the circulation pump on or the circulation pump is dead.

 

[larry_g]

I'm thinking it's one of two things. Either the timer is not commanding the circulation pump on or the circulation pump is dead.

Or there is something plugging the inlet to the pump.. Guessing here, isn't there only one pump that moves the water and a valve that directs the output of the pump to either drain or wash cavity? I've also had to clean out the jets on the rotating wand in the washer as they were plugged with stuff. The spray wand on mine just snapped apart for cleaning.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[yeldogt]

Is it a Bosch? They have two pumps: #1 to empty and #2 for circulation. #2 gets food stuck in the pump and the motors burn out .. especially if they are allowed to sit.

FYI: If you have a Bosch you have to make sure you run it empty if you are going away -- and always make sure the lower filter and screen is clean. They sell all the parts -- but the pump is tricky and best to purchase the whole pump ... it is a pain to replace.

My Asko uses a timer - it does not use a float. I have never had a float switch go ..... the inlet valves do fail ... but they also clog up -- most have a small screen on the inlet side.

You could have a clogged valve and something else going on.

Just looked - not a Bosch -- who make Fridgidare?

 

[ollie76]

Popped the kick panel and looked underneath......I see a pretty big puddle, of what appears to be oil, underneath the circulation pump.

Not good!

 

[nu2me]

An in-op dump valve on my old Hotpoint caused water to blow past the pump seals.

 

[mauro]

Before I saw your post about oil under the pump, I was going to suggest checking the food grinder for debris. It is usually in front under the wash arms, torx screwdriver almost certainly required.