Kenmore Dishwaser Model # 665.1601 Problem

[tuthill]

Hi all, I have a Kenmore dishwasher (assume it's a Whirlpool), and I cannot get it to start a cycle. When I press the Start button, the red light just flashes, and nothing happens. I can use the Cancel/Drain button to get it to drain, but no other cycle works. The "Clean" light is flashing, when I looked this up in the troubleshooting guide, it says that the "dishwasher has malfunctioned. Call for service to check heater circuit." The dishwasher is about 4 years old and has worked perfectly up to this point. I know it's not a lot of information, but it's all I got. Anyone have any idea what the problem could be and how to fix it?? Thanks, Jed

 

[coldspot66]

Hi Jed,

I assume this is a tall tub d/w. Blinking clean light means a heater fault of some sort. If the control does not detect a certain # of degree rise of the water, the control will abort the cycle and disable it. Look for any white spots or rough spots on the heater. It may need to be replaced. Also too much foaming from d/w detergent will cause this as well. These d/w's must be installed very level and plumb so that the heater touches the water, but not submerged at the end of a fill. If it's a plastic tub machine, it will have a door switch on each side of the line (hot and neutral). If the neutral side switch does not close, there will be no power to the heater, and that will cause the fault as well. Make sure the d/w is firmly anchored to the underside of the counter as well. Have I totally confused you yet?