Happy New Year - Time For Another Appliance Failure

[whirlcool]

It seems New Years day is the day for our appliances to fail. On Jan 1, 2011 our refrigerator greeted us in the morning with a defrosted freezer and hot refrigerator compartment.

Last night we had a few people over for some light refreshments. We loaded and started the dishwasher right before we went to bed. About 30 minutes later two of our dogs were barking in the kitchen. We went in there and the dishwasher was spraying the dishes in the normal cycle, but the motor was starting and stopping. It never has done this before. A few times it made a loud humming noise then stopped then started again.

It drained water properly and emptied the tub completely. But when it would go back to I guess what you would call "agitating" mode the motor was humming loudly and would intermittently stop. But it was pumping water out of the spray arms. So we let it finish the cycle.

After we unloaded the dishes this morning what do I find in the DW? I look down when the water goes into the JetClean module. I found a few toothpicks, wire bread bag ties, etc. all sticking out along the bottom. It looks like those items were interfering with the operation of the motor. Later today I'll take the cover off to see what else has migrated down in there.

What's so strange about this is that we don't use toothpicks at all. I hope we don't need a new motor.

 

[imperial70]

Whirlcool,
Sorry for the New year greetings from your appliances.
When I have people over it seems one of my appliances suffers. Usually the disposal because they do things like put metal tabs from soda cans into the disposal. Blocked wash arm is another problem.

Guests can be "careless" sometimes. IMHO.

 

[whirlcool]

I took the bottom wash arm off (clean & clear) and the cover of the JetClean module. Inside I found part of a plastic zip tie, a few more bread bag zip ties and some cellophane pieces. How all that got in there we have no idea. I told the wife somehow they had to get in there. She claims she knows better than to put that kind of stuff in there. The machine is almost 5 years old, so it could have been a buildup of debris over time.

After the clean out I ran the dishwasher and it's back to near silent operation again.

I guess people aren't careful with other people's appliances unless they have a financial interest in them.

 

[launderess]

Every Home Has The Same Two Germlins

Ida Know, and Not Me.

Invariably when queries are made as to who did what or how something came to happen the two above names will be mentioned. *LOL*

 

[maytagbear]

Allen----

At your house, I would not be so quick as to interrogate Karen. You have some four legged members who might have added those items when backs were turned. Just saying.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[jetcone]

I had a similar problem with my

rental on the Cape, the DW a KUDS-27 was washing terribly, it couldn't release and drain coffee grounds. I knew it wasn't pumping well so last winter it was a complete rebuild. When I got in there, inside the wash module I found most inlet ports blocked up by chipped glass shards from wine glasses. I found two - NOT ONE - TWO silicone feet from an old cutting board jammed into the drain port. Once all the was out it runs like a charm now.

I'm thinking of only putting in acrylic wine glasses during rental season now.

 

 

[ptcruiser51]

@ Allen

Ever try to shake cellophane off your fingers? Like from Twinkie wrappers, other baked goods, window envelopes, coldcut party trays. Too easy to stick to a damp glass or plate unseen. Toothpix, I know at least two fellows who have fixed bridges like mine who carry a couple in their wallets. And I'm sure some gals do in their handbags as well. Leaving them on a plate/saucer may be bad manners, but possible. The twist-ties are a mystery. Do you do sandwich/toast prep over where the d/w is? Accidental drops can happen, especially over 5 years. I do save those twist-ties for re-use on bags to go in the freezer, leftovers, prepped salad in plastic bags, or even to bag cat litter for the garbage. Maybe an errant one goes flying?

Glad you found the solution and avoided a New Year's curse. Many would have just gone to THD for a replacement model!

 

[whirlcool]

Charlie:

I think you are on to something. The toaster is on the counter right over the dishwasher. Maybe that's how that twist ties got in there. But that zip tie was a very thick one. Sometimes I'll use the pair of pliers from the junk drawer next to the dishwasher to cut them. And you know how those things go flying when cut.

We'll just have to remember to keep the dishwasher door closed from now on. After a cycle and unloading of the DW we usually keep the door open a few inches to let the inside of the DW dry out completely. I'm just very glad that I don't have to replace a motor now.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Something I've noticed recently with my dishwasher

just within the past two loads........It washes normally, but there's this noise it makes that I can only describe similar to that sound you get when your ear starts to ring; not overly loud. At first, I actually thought it was my ear ringing or something until I realized it was the dishwasher. It's kind of subtle - but it's constant. It will be 9 years old in April. I hope it doesn't die!

 

[whirlcool]

Check around the sump to make sure nothing has fallen into it. It could be just the vibration from the upper rack making the noise. What brand DW do you have?

 

[rolls_rapide]

It was a Merry Xmas failure...

...For my parents.

The dishwasher, a Indesit manufactured Hotpoint FDW20, decided to lose its mind a week before Christmas. I had switched it on and repaired to the bathroom, whereupon I noticed that the low voltage overhead lights dimmed once every second.

My mum came through less than a minute later, saying that the machine was making a banging noise and she switched it off.

I restarted it from scratch and it worked fine - until the final rinse, where upon it continually paused every minute or so. Mum wasn't happy at the thought of an elderly machine which conked out, especially after all the Press coverage of appliance fires.

The following day a Bosch SMS50T02GB was purchased; a basic machine with Polinox & stainless-steel interior, although it does have a 70 degree C intensive wash.

We are quite impressed with this machine: better cleaning, improved efficiency, and quieter. The only complaint is that the top basket for glasses and mugs is a little narrow on the right-hand side. It also seems to have more powerful cleaning than my 10 year old Bosch Logixx.