Issues with Whirlpool Imperial

[spacepig]

So the 1971 Whirlpool Supreme 400 dishwasher has been working like a charm until last night. When I was loading it, I noticed that there was some standing water still in it, and my husband said that he ran it last night but stopped the cycle before the dry phase. I finished loading it and then turned it on as I figured the sitting water would be pumped out before it started washing.

After about 5 seconds, it sounded like it started washing, so I opened it to check and there was still quite a bit of water on the bottom. I closed it back up, and it never came on again after that. I checked the owner's manual to see if there was anything, and it did mention interrupting a cycle if you forgot a dish, and that it would start again after closing. So, I know that opening it when running, in and of itself, should not have caused a problem.

We did verify that it is getting power, and I emptied the standing water and left it completely unplugged for about 30 minutes, and again overnight to no avail. Any ideas on what could be going and where to look next?

 

[coldspot66]

Door Switch?

 

[turquoisedude]

I wondered that, too. My '63 did something like this when I was going over it but I am not familiar with the later models.

 

[spacepig]

So, we took off the front panel, and from outward glance, nothing looks bad. The door switch does have continuity, so not sure where to go from here. From doing online searches, I was able to find a parts list on appliancepartspros.com for a SXU400W1, but typing in the different part numbers yielded no results. Any suggestions on where to go from here? [this post was last edited: 10/19/2019-11:38]

 

[DADoES]

 
Perhaps the door switch needs physical position adjustment.  Do you hear it click when the door is latch/unlatched?'

Circuit breaker tripped?

Otherwise will have to investigate further ... check for wires loose/burned elsewhere, evidence of the pump leaking, motor jammed, continuity on motor windings, bad motor start relay, timer circuit to power the motor.

 

[spacepig]

Glenn,

Thanks for the reply. The first thing we checked was the breaker, and it wasn't tripped. We did switch it off and on just to make sure, but that didn't work.

There was a click when we closed the door and both of us tried pushing up against the dishwasher to make sure it was shut when closed, to no avail. It doesn't appear to be leaking anywhere.

We just took off the door panel yesterday, so will probably pull it completely out today or tomorrow to see if it's any of the things you mentioned. The closest model that I could find that had a parts list was an SXU400W1, and in doing a search for the corresponding parts yielded no results. So, it's not looking too good that we can get this fixed, even if we were to figure out what's wrong with it, since there's a good chance the parts are not available.

 

[steved]

Timer part number

Do you know the part number for the timer? It’s usually printed somewhere on it. I have a used timer that might work for you. I just don’t remember what model it’s from

 

[combo52]

Dead WP DW

Did you check the wires in the power junction box ?, This is a very common failure point on any DW, Check with a meter or test light at the black and white wires, if you have power there, check in the control panel between the black and white wire for 120 volts.

 

After that if you have 120 volts there jump the Door Switch, if the DW still will not do anything [ including filling ] you may have a timer problem [ you are pulling the timer out to start? ] After this check the Push-Pull contact in the timer.

 

This is a very simple DW to fix and work on, about the only part you might need that is at all hard to find is a timer, so you should be able together it going.

 

John L.

 

[spacepig]

John, thanks for the reply. We did check the wires in the power junction box and got 120 volts, and jumping the door switch did nothing.

In regards to checking the the Push-Pull contact in the timer, do we have to take that whole box apart to do that?

 

[combo52]

PR Mallory Timer Repairs

You can just take one or both of the side plates off and inspect the push-pull switch, it can also be tested with an Ohm Meter without disassembly.

 

John L. 

 

[bigalsf]

Timer

Hi, I believe I have the timer you need.  Can you post a pic of your console, and your full model #?  If it matches you may have it for free.    

 

[spacepig]

Alan, thank you *so much* for the offer. Hopefully these pictures will be helpful enough. The model number is SXU400-1. The original booklet for it also mentions an SXF100, but I think that's the portable model. LMK if you need better pix or additional info. Jeannine