KDS-16 help

[kenmore71]

Some of you may recall that a few weeks back that there was a KDS-16 in Minneapolis posted on here. I have come into possession of this machine and am seeking some advice. Mechanically the machine seems to be quite sound--in that it doesn't leak, the wash arm seems good and the water valve & drain solenoid all seem to operate properly. Most of the time. After an evening of "playing" with the marvelous and frustrating beast I am 90% certain that the troubles I am experiencing lie in a badly worn/failing cycle selector switch.

This is an early KDS-16 without the Soak cycle. Can anyone help me in locating the PART number for this switch or better yet offer one up that they know is good? I really think that the timer on this machine is good but the switch is sticky and only seems to select an operating cycle about 20% of the time after significant fiddling. Once a cycle is actually selected it completes just fine...unless you open the door and then all bets are off on getting it to start again. The ONLY button that seems to work faithfully is "Cancel"

A vast array of photos will follow after I am properly caffeinated...

 

[swestoyz]

The only spare switch I have for one of these is from a later Soak machine.  I wonder if the button assembly is interchangeable?

 

Ben

 

[kenmore71]

I think they COULD be interchanged. They are a different switch but the only difference that I can see in studying the schematics is that on the pre-soak machines the Sani-cycle uses the Heavy Wash program and the the Soak machines use the Normal program. Off the top of my head I think it could create odd cycle behavior if you actually chose the Sani-Cycle. If you knew to avoid that I think it would work just fine. And, really, WHO uses the Sani-cycle???

So, trade ya a functioning Maytag 740C for a KDS-16 switch?

 

[kenmore71]

Here is the switch schematic for a machine without the soak cycle.

 

[kenmore71]

And WITH the soak cycle for comparison.

 

[kenmore71]

I am struggling a little bit right now to determine if this machine is worth saving. Here are some of the issues:

Money shot of the tub - some minor tub rust.

 

[kenmore71]

Broken detergent dispenser cover. Solenoid works just fine!

 

[kenmore71]

Bottom rack is pretty rough, definitely need to be replaced.

 

[kenmore71]

Typical KA rust on the bottom of the door.

 

[kenmore71]

And the inside of the outer panel. This will certainly not be difficult to abate.

 

[kenmore71]

Front panel looks nice from the front!

 

[kenmore71]

Houston, we clearly have a problem here!

Right now neither the fan nor heater operate during the cycles. I haven't checked yet to see if this is a selector switch, timer or actually fan motor issue...

 

[kenmore71]

Mallory rapid-advance timer!

 

[kenmore71]

The offending selector switch

 

[kenmore71]

My suspicions

are confirmed. It is DEFINITELY a bad cycle switch.

After connecting things as shown below it just ran a PERFECT normal cycle.

 

[swestoyz]

If you need/want to change this over to a soak machine, I have a timer, push button set and control panel off the soak machine.  I'm taking a guess that the wiring harness is the same...

 

Bottom racks and the heater boxes are always in stock at Casa de Swestka. 

 

Ben

 

[stevet]

part number on timer

I don't know if you have found a switch yet, but if you can give me the part number on the back of the switch, I will see if I have one. I have I think 2 new in the bag switch assemblies so maybe you will be in luck.

Just let me or all of us here know.

 

[varicyclevoice]

cycle selector switch

I have encountered sticky selector switches on KitchenAid diswashers before and I have used WD-40 and squirted it in the switch with the power disconnected of course. I then gently move the switch in and out repeatedly until it works more smoothly. This has been a successful repair if the buttons are stiff or if the buttons won't stay in, etc.

 

[kenmore71]

Just a quick update...the machine is working well and I appreciate all of the advice and offers for the needed parts from the wonderful community here! Those who have offered help have all been contacted privately. I have decided to keep the machine and think I'm going to install it as a second "chef's dishwasher" in my kitchen. I do a lot of canning and baking and it would be nice to have a short-cycle machine that scrubs the h**l out of things in short order. I may even remove the upper rack so that I have a machine that I can get big baking sheets, racks and pots in. Right now I have been playing with it in the basement and have been hardwiring it for the various cycles as I test it out. A new toy is always great fun!