KDC-17 Lover

[annaMLam]

Hello everyone,

I bought a house in Dec 2022 and it came with a dishwasher; which might have been a huge selling point for me since it was a vintage KitchenAid Customer by Hobart; but it was also the location and no crowded neighbors ; along with the size and space for all the grandkids at the same time.

Unfortunately, at the closing the older owner said, "Oh that old thing hasn't worked since 1995 I just didn't want to replace it or pay to have it disposed of." Which we found was basically how he felt about all the appliances in the kitchen; but we had our own so I hadn't even checked out if anything worked or not since working vintage appliances was part of what came with the house.

While cleaning out things we found a "NEW" timer in a drawer; he had bought it in the 90s and never installed it. My son and I installed it and bam! Vintage dishwasher working perfectly.

Since then a few things have happened, the water inlet got clogged up; replaced it, the float got stuck up, tapped it water now comes in.

I've lurked a little and I plan on searching through the archives because currently the water only comes in during the Pre-Soak cycle and not during wash or rinse. Everything else works perfectly just if you don't start it on pre soak you get no water.

Thanks!
Anna

 

[phillymatt53]

The Kitchenaid KDC-17 is very similar to my KDC-19.
I used mine today, and it does a terrific job on a load of dishes, pots & pans, etc.
I had a few minor issues with leaking hoses in the past, but those have been cured.
But that machine is definitely worth hanging onto.
Double-check the float for free up-down movement, and particularly the switch that is under it. it may have sediment causing binding, or some corrosion.
Because if the float sticks "UP" water will not work.

 

[DADoES]

annaMLam, you need to cite the specific model of your KA from the tag on it.

The KDx17 series (dates from 1971 to 1974) and KDx-17A (1974 to 1976) don't have a float. They have a pressure switch for overfill protection, as I recall. A KDC-17 (Custom, bottom-of-the-line model) doesn't have a soak. It has only two cycle choices, Full (prewash or prerinse, 2nd prerinse, wash, rinse, rinse, dry), and Rinse Hold (rinse, rinse).

 

[phillymatt53]

If it's anything like mine, it initially fills, then pauses while the heating element brings up the water temp, then starts the prewash, etc.
Same happens for the final Sani-rinse.

 

[DADoES]

If it's anything like mine, it initially fills, then pauses while the heating element brings up the water temp, then starts the prewash, etc.
Same happens for the final Sani-rinse.

The 17 series isn't like your 19. Water heating is featured only on the Superba, and on it to maintain the main wash and after-rinses with a 700 watts of heating, and boost the final Sani Rinse (if selected) to 180°F with 1,400 watts of heating. Sani Rinse is featured only on the Superba. The Superba (and Imperial) have a Soak cycle, which doesn't involve any heating for the soak/dwell period.

The Purge function at the start of all cycles on the Imperial and at start of the Soak cycle on the Superba is a half-fill (one minute timed) and drain to flush the supply line of standing cold water.

 

[phillymatt53]

I ran my KDC-19 yesterday.
I started it at 1:30PM.
It finished it's normal wash cycle at 2:30PM
The air-dry fan then ran till 3:30PM when the machine's timer finally stopped.

 

[annaMLam]

annaMLam, you need to cite the specific model of your KA from the tag on it.

The KDx17 series (dates from 1971 to 1974) and KDx-17A (1974 to 1976) don't have a float. They have a pressure switch for overfill protection, as I recall. A KDC-17 (Custom, bottom-of-the-line model) doesn't have a soak. It has only two cycle choices, Full (prewash or prerinse, 2nd prerinse, wash, rinse, rinse, dry), and Rinse Hold (rinse, rinse).

Thanks it is the KDC-17A 34011 with Full Cycle and Rinse hold and Energy Saver Heat off.

Water comes in during 1st prewash and drains and doesn’t come back if during the 2nd prewash, wash or 2 rinse cycles.

I have the service manual and a bunch of parts diagrams and plan on taking it apart during the next few weekends or after the holidays.

I bought a new timer, because it can’t hurt to have a spare and a new inlet valve. I’ll check the manual later about the float or pressure switch; the manual definitely calls out the float in several places but it also has all of the KDx-17 models and the 17A and portable models in it so I will make sure I looking at my specific model when troubleshooting or replacing parts.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[annaMLam]

I ran my KDC-19 yesterday.
I started it at 1:30PM.
It finished it's normal wash cycle at 2:30PM
The air-dry fan then ran till 3:30PM when the machine's timer finally stopped.

My KDC-17A takes 60 minutes from start to finish and until it stopped letting water in after the 1st prewash and drain cycle it was amazing.

I tried to wash my phone while recording a video (in a water proof plastic bag) and the force of the jets from the lower arm took my phone on a journey but it was impressive to kind of see.

I will have to cut it down to that cycle and post later.

 

[combo52]

KDC 17 a KitchenAid dishwasher, not filling properly

Hi Anna, you likely have either a bad inlet valve or a timer, much less likely the timer, however.

You can diagnose this by starting the cycle, watching it go through and when it gets to the main wash or wherever where it doesn’t fill again, just open the door and turn it off for a half an hour, then restart the cycle and see if it fills for the next phase or two without moving the timer.

It’s likely that this Phil and that solenoid is overheating and then it stops filling until it cools.

There’s a small chance that it’s the overflow pressure switch acting up, but it probably wouldn’t work and then act up when it gets to the main wash every time.

No KitchenAid home dishwasher had a float until the 18 series., You’re 17 series dishwasher has a little pressure switch mounted underneath the machine. There’s a little tube going to it that sometimes would clog with rust because the connection where a little rubber hose connects to the tank with rust. It’s easy to clean out that tube, just by removing the filter from the dishwasher and reaching in with a small piece of coathanger wire or something you can do it from the inside without disassembling anything.

It sounds like this dishwasher wasn’t used for much of its life so you may have a good machine for quite a few years yet.

John L