Our Hobart Superba IV KDS19 has served my household for almost 40 years. In fact, when we moved 20 years ago, we brought it with us! This week, while running, I noticed a burning odor coming from the dishwasher's top gap. The dishwasher is functioning. The odor resembles that of spilled food burning off an electric cook stove element. The burning odor is not coming from the drum. I have identified that the smell is coming from near the control panel. At least, I smell that burnt odor when I sniff the top latch opening in the door. I am determined to keep this kitchen friend going. I am afraid to use it until I can identify the problem and make sure it does not catch on fire. My appliance repairman is rather hesitant to help me. Any advice or experiences similar to mine would be welcomed. Thank you.
Hobart Superba IV KDS19 burning smell from control panel
- Thread starter karma2021
- Start date
Help Support :
Remove the front panel on the door, check for burning on the wires at the detergent dispenser ... before you run it again.
stevet
Well-known member
Pull off the panel
And also check the wiring that connects to the door interlock switch on the top right side of the door. I have seen that cause issues as you describe. All you need is a loose connector and the terminal and wire can overheat and burn the insulation. Remember that your machine in its water heating delay and final rinse heating delay, can consume upwards of 10-12 amps which can cause a loose connection to melt the wiring and sometimes even the switch itself.
Ironically, I was in my garage a few minutes ago and was holding one of those very switches in my hand and remembered this post so I came right in to add my 2 cents!
And also check the wiring that connects to the door interlock switch on the top right side of the door. I have seen that cause issues as you describe. All you need is a loose connector and the terminal and wire can overheat and burn the insulation. Remember that your machine in its water heating delay and final rinse heating delay, can consume upwards of 10-12 amps which can cause a loose connection to melt the wiring and sometimes even the switch itself.
Ironically, I was in my garage a few minutes ago and was holding one of those very switches in my hand and remembered this post so I came right in to add my 2 cents!
found burned wire
Thank you for your help. I have zero knowledge or skill in this area.
With your encouragement, I removed the front panels and the control panel.
The violet wire at the detergent dispenser has burned. As you can see by the 2 pictures it has burned a hole in the protective plastic cover too. This area is so corroded! Is that detergent from 40 years of use? What should I do next? Stay tuned....I will have more questions and need lots of guidance before this is over.
Thank you for your help. I have zero knowledge or skill in this area.
With your encouragement, I removed the front panels and the control panel.
The violet wire at the detergent dispenser has burned. As you can see by the 2 pictures it has burned a hole in the protective plastic cover too. This area is so corroded! Is that detergent from 40 years of use? What should I do next? Stay tuned....I will have more questions and need lots of guidance before this is over.
found burned wire at detergent dispenser
Could this be a simple fix? There seems to be plenty of violet wire. Could I have someone replace the push on electrical connection at an area of clean (non-scorched) wire? What is the best way to clean up the detergent residue? Any advice welcomed.
Could this be a simple fix? There seems to be plenty of violet wire. Could I have someone replace the push on electrical connection at an area of clean (non-scorched) wire? What is the best way to clean up the detergent residue? Any advice welcomed.
stevet
Well-known member
It is an easy fix...
Your best bet, based on the pictures you attached, would be to replace the whole dispenser. Some of the members on here should have a new old stock(NOS) to sell you and while you are at it, replace the bimetal heaters that the wires attach to.
You should MOST DEFINITELY, turn the dispenser 180 degrees around so that the wires are at the top of the dispenser and no on the bottom. That was a stupid design that Mother Hobart stuck with for years. Any leakage of water and chemicals would evewntually do what it did to your machine.
you wil most likely also need small terminals to attach to the original wires and you can get those at Ace Hardware. Crimp those to the wires and slide them on to the bimatal heaters on the dispenser. If you need the bi metal heaters, I have those available. Let me know.
Hope that helps.
Your best bet, based on the pictures you attached, would be to replace the whole dispenser. Some of the members on here should have a new old stock(NOS) to sell you and while you are at it, replace the bimetal heaters that the wires attach to.
You should MOST DEFINITELY, turn the dispenser 180 degrees around so that the wires are at the top of the dispenser and no on the bottom. That was a stupid design that Mother Hobart stuck with for years. Any leakage of water and chemicals would evewntually do what it did to your machine.
you wil most likely also need small terminals to attach to the original wires and you can get those at Ace Hardware. Crimp those to the wires and slide them on to the bimatal heaters on the dispenser. If you need the bi metal heaters, I have those available. Let me know.
Hope that helps.
Cardboard insulators
Were to keep someone from getting shocked because this DW did not come with panels installed from the factory.
They are not necessary to reinstall if you have the power off when working on the DW and after a quick test after repairs you reinstall the panel.
John L.
Were to keep someone from getting shocked because this DW did not come with panels installed from the factory.
They are not necessary to reinstall if you have the power off when working on the DW and after a quick test after repairs you reinstall the panel.
John L.
Parts list for KDS 19 repair
Thank you for sticking with me on this. You have been a big help.
There is some metal damage on the tab on the left Bimetal heater
The plastic connector that was part of the violet wire connection is burned in half.
The plastic connector next to the violet wire has a scorched streak, but is intact.
Parts list for the "easy fix" of our family friend.
Bimetal heaters
New detergent dispenser with gasket (to mount upside down)
electrical connectors from hardware store.
What price did you have in mind for the bimetal heaters that you have?
Do I post a new thread for other parts?
I have never been part of a message forum.
I have to ask- the picture of the vintage appliances...Is that current? Beauties!!
Thank you for sticking with me on this. You have been a big help.
There is some metal damage on the tab on the left Bimetal heater
The plastic connector that was part of the violet wire connection is burned in half.
The plastic connector next to the violet wire has a scorched streak, but is intact.
Parts list for the "easy fix" of our family friend.
Bimetal heaters
New detergent dispenser with gasket (to mount upside down)
electrical connectors from hardware store.
What price did you have in mind for the bimetal heaters that you have?
Do I post a new thread for other parts?
I have never been part of a message forum.
I have to ask- the picture of the vintage appliances...Is that current? Beauties!!
Yay, Glad you got the parts we sent installed, another successful vintage appliance save.
John L.
John L.
