Kitchen Aid Dishwasher, please help.

[volvoguy87]

One of my friends has a Kitchen Aid dishwasher model KDC-17A. Does anyone know anything about this machine? I am curious to know when it was in production and where it stood in the model-lineup at the time. It is also experiencing some trouble.
It stopped during the cycle, possibly during the rinse, and it is still full of water. When she tries to re-start the machine, it clicks, but nothing happens. Is this a timer issue? A motor issue? Some type of drain valve, or pump issue? The circuit breaker for the dishwasher has not tripped. If it is not feasable to repair this problem, the dishwasher may be available.

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks to everyone in good appliance land,
Dave

 

[coldspot66]

It could be a few things...I think the Custom model has a 2 button switch for rinse & hold and Normal cycle? Does it do the first rinse, then the motor stops, but the timer continues to advance? Could be the 2 button switch Or does it quit later in the cycle. If so, sounds like a timer issue. Let me know. Any funny burning smell or loud bearing noise would indicate a motor problem. Let me know!

 

[bajaespuma]

We owned a KDC-17a. I just sent out a couple of repair masters to a couple of members on this site, I'm hoping one of them is going to scan it and submit it for the Manuals section on the site.

IIRC, those models didn't use a float valve for the drain. They used an internal pressure switch like a clothes washer. That may be your problem. I'll take a look in the manual to see if I can find anything else.

 

[DADoES]

Fill is timed. The pressure switch is protection against overflow, and is not involved in draining. There is a solenoid-operated drain valve. The motor does not reverse for drain, the valve simply opens to let the water flow through. In fact, the motor runs continuously through the entire wash/rinse part of the cycle, shutting of only after the last drain before the drying phase begins. A bad drain valve/solenoid would not make the machine stop running, it would just keep circulating through the entire cycle and never drain.

The 17 series ran during the early to mid 1970s. The 17a series was the first to have a no-heat dry option. As mentioned above, KDC-17a is the Custom model, which is the lower-end machine with Full Cycle and Rinse/Hold.