KDS-19 trouble - parts - help?

[thedub]

Hello! I just happened across this forum looking for information about our old dishwasher. We bought a house about 10 years ago that came with some interesting appliances (fridge, dryer, and dish washer from the late 70's early 80's) that still work (mostly) today.

The dishwasher is starting to have a bit of trouble, and I'm looking for a way to fix it if possible.

Just for reference, my search to this forum landed me on the following page, which is the model dishwasher I have:

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?39958

There are two doors for soap - the prewash door opens during every wash, however the normal wash door more often than not sticks (maybe 9 times out of 10 it sticks). I'm hoping that this is either serviceable, or that someone on this forum might know where to find a replacement part.

Also, during the "drying" cycle it has just recently started making a loud growling sound.

Finally - are there any service manuals around that tell how one could / should maintain these devices?

Any info would be much appreciated!

 

[Unimatic1140]

Hi Bill and welcome to automaticwasher.org, yes the complete service manual is located here:

KitchenAid 19 Series Dishwasher Service Manual

and the parts list:

KitchenAid 19 Series Dishwasher Parts Catalog

 

[thedub]

Thanks for the reference to the manual. I bought it, and have since:

1) Disassembled the front panel of the dishwasher
2) Cleaned the contacts, switches, and door latches
3) Readjusted the bi-metal switch on the main door which was originally malfunctioning to make it more of a hair trigger.

The door worked intermittently before. After the cleaning and readjustment, should it still only work partially, what would be the next steps?

It looks like the electrical contacts are good, and all of the modes run for the normal amount of time.

Any thoughts?

I'll report back in once I've run it through a couple wash cycles.

 

[barcoboy]

Did you take the actual detergent dispenser doors out and clean the shafts and the openings where they pass through the door? Also, it's probably not a bad idea to change the two o-rings for the doors, as this is very easy to do. The link below is a thread I wrote when I changed them in my KDS-58, which is a portable version of the KDS-18, which I believe uses the same detergent dispenser.

If you have the front cover off, watch the two bi-metals when the timer activates them to see how much they are flexing... mine moved quite a bit... if they don't move enough, they might need to be replaced. Also, when the bi-metal releases the door, it should snap open very quickly... if it does not, that means you have a broken spring, or the shafts/opening are gunked up and need cleaning.

More progress on my KDS-58C

With some great advice from this site, I've now been able to change the o-rings in my KDS-58C's detergent dispenser as it was dripping and had shown evidence of it doing so for a little while. Was able to drive out the pins with a punch and hammer after a little squirt of WD-40 on each, and...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[thedub]

Thanks for the reply.

After a very thorough cleaning, and a slight readjustment, it looks like the soap door problem may be fixed (opened 3 out of 3 washes so far).

The remaining issue is the growl -- it's making a louder growling noise during the dry cycle than what I'm used to (we've been using this for about 10 years). Dishes seem about the same level of dryness they have always been, it's just the noise worries me that something may be in the process of breaking (or perhaps that some service is required).

Any hints on this?

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Well...

The most obvious suspect is the heater/drying blower motor which would only activate during drying. Like any motor, it would suffer from needing service and/or bearings. Happily, they can be found regularly, used if anything. Heck, the blower/heater assemblies were popular to pull and use for home brew drying cabinets due to their compact nature . Should be simple to service!

Thanks for saving another example of Kitchenaid's finest!

RCD