My dishwasher recently stopped cleaning the upper rack of dishes. It still runs but it looks to me like water is only getting to the lower spray arm. It was installed in 1986. I've taken the wash and drain pump apart and cleaned it. I've cleaned out the filters and ports on the arms. Any other suggestions - or should I go shopping?
Kitchenaid Dishwasher Imperial Selectra 21 - Upper Rack not cleaning
- Thread starter buschhome
- Start date
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toploader55
Well-known member
Check the Feed Tube.
To the upper rack.
Pull the Upper Rack Out. Look at the Center of the upper wash arm. There is a Flat tube that runs to the back of the rack. It may have slipped out of the fitting that connects it to the Feed Manifold on the back of the tub. If that is not the problem, feel the bottom of the feed tube. I picked up a KDS 20 about 4 years ago and the whole bottom of the feed tube was rotted through almost the whole length.
To the upper rack.
Pull the Upper Rack Out. Look at the Center of the upper wash arm. There is a Flat tube that runs to the back of the rack. It may have slipped out of the fitting that connects it to the Feed Manifold on the back of the tub. If that is not the problem, feel the bottom of the feed tube. I picked up a KDS 20 about 4 years ago and the whole bottom of the feed tube was rotted through almost the whole length.
toploader55
Well-known member
Upper Rack
Note the Tube running from the Wash Arm to the back assembly.
See how it is not connected to the Wash Arm... That could be the problem too.
Hope this helps.
Note the Tube running from the Wash Arm to the back assembly.
See how it is not connected to the Wash Arm... That could be the problem too.
Hope this helps.
toploader55
Well-known member
Wait a little bit...
The Experts should be getting home from work soon.
The Experts should be getting home from work soon.
christfr
Well-known member
check to make sure the machine is getting enough water.. just went through the same thing with mine the valve was koncking out and not letting the machine fill enough so put in a valve and that was it.. well for me anyway
toploader55
Well-known member
Solenoid Strainer
Good Point Chris
Check the Fill Valve line strainer too. Sediment build up could slow down the water pressure quite a bit.
Good Point Chris
Check the Fill Valve line strainer too. Sediment build up could slow down the water pressure quite a bit.
Sediment build up could slow down the water pressure quite a
KitchenAid dishwashers fill with water solely with a timed fill design. So, if there is low water pressure, or if there is sediment in the valve or solenoid that is restricting the flow of water, then each fill will be insufficient. To verify this, let the machine go through a typical fill period and wait for it to start circulating waer after the fill. Stop the machine by lifting the handle, open door and take note of where the wash arm under the top rack is. Now, add another 3 quarts of hot water. close door, latch door, and push in cycle button. Let it run for about 30 seconds and then open door and see if the wash arm under the top rack has moved in rotation from the original location from when you opened the door.
KitchenAid dishwashers fill with water solely with a timed fill design. So, if there is low water pressure, or if there is sediment in the valve or solenoid that is restricting the flow of water, then each fill will be insufficient. To verify this, let the machine go through a typical fill period and wait for it to start circulating waer after the fill. Stop the machine by lifting the handle, open door and take note of where the wash arm under the top rack is. Now, add another 3 quarts of hot water. close door, latch door, and push in cycle button. Let it run for about 30 seconds and then open door and see if the wash arm under the top rack has moved in rotation from the original location from when you opened the door.
KDS-21 Not Washing in The Top Rack
Chris is likely correct, bad inlet valve. You can check by allowing DW to fill and when it is washing open and close the door several times [ restarting it each time ] and note weather the top arm is in a different position each time you open the door, if not pour an extra gallon of water in the bottom of the DW and try this test again, if it now turns you can conclude you are not getting enough water. You can remove the inlet valve and look at the inlet and see if the inlet strainer screen is completely packed solid with sediment, if it is try cleaning it and reinstall. If there is only a little bit of stuff on the screen don't waste your time cleaning it, just buy a NEW valve assembly and install.
Chris is likely correct, bad inlet valve. You can check by allowing DW to fill and when it is washing open and close the door several times [ restarting it each time ] and note weather the top arm is in a different position each time you open the door, if not pour an extra gallon of water in the bottom of the DW and try this test again, if it now turns you can conclude you are not getting enough water. You can remove the inlet valve and look at the inlet and see if the inlet strainer screen is completely packed solid with sediment, if it is try cleaning it and reinstall. If there is only a little bit of stuff on the screen don't waste your time cleaning it, just buy a NEW valve assembly and install.
stevet
Well-known member
Water Level is the key!
Let the machine fill up during the main wash period of the cycle and then open the door. The water should be up to the top of the of the filter or just below the large center section of the washarm. If it is not that high, then washing ability will be compromised to the upper arm and not much washing will be done by the lower arm either. If it doesn't get high enough, you need to check the fill valve strainer and also make sure that your home's water pressure is correct. If you have low pressure in the house, then the dishwasher will not fill enough and give you the same symptoms.
Let the machine fill up during the main wash period of the cycle and then open the door. The water should be up to the top of the of the filter or just below the large center section of the washarm. If it is not that high, then washing ability will be compromised to the upper arm and not much washing will be done by the lower arm either. If it doesn't get high enough, you need to check the fill valve strainer and also make sure that your home's water pressure is correct. If you have low pressure in the house, then the dishwasher will not fill enough and give you the same symptoms.
KDS-21 Not Washing in The Top Rack
I just tried it - first prior to adding water - no change in position of upper arm....after adding 3 quarts - arm was rotating and spraying - - - Yeah!!! So now the hard part - what does the inlet valve look like and where is it located?
If I need a new one - can you provide a source and part number?
I just tried it - first prior to adding water - no change in position of upper arm....after adding 3 quarts - arm was rotating and spraying - - - Yeah!!! So now the hard part - what does the inlet valve look like and where is it located?
If I need a new one - can you provide a source and part number?
stevet
Well-known member
You did well!
That was the trick!!!
The valve is located on the lower left side of the machine mounted on the black crossmember. I will venture to guess it is nothing more than a clogged strainer screen.
It is not difficult to clean but you have to make sure that the water and electricity are both off and then you can remove the valve and disassemble it and clean it. If you remove the water line from it, you can take off the 4 screws that hold the mounting plate to the valve and that will reveal the strainer screen. It will either be a round, tubular screen which you can pull out with a needle nosed pliers or a tweezer. Clean it under running water and a fine brush and replace it. If it is the other style which looks like a small thimble, you can gently pry it out and clean it as well. Then put it back and reassemble the valve and you should be good to go for another 20 years!
The new valve is a single coil type but is still available under part number 4171000. See the link. I do believe it will go right in and they provide a new hose for it so you should have everything you need.
Hope this helps
Steve
That was the trick!!!
The valve is located on the lower left side of the machine mounted on the black crossmember. I will venture to guess it is nothing more than a clogged strainer screen.
It is not difficult to clean but you have to make sure that the water and electricity are both off and then you can remove the valve and disassemble it and clean it. If you remove the water line from it, you can take off the 4 screws that hold the mounting plate to the valve and that will reveal the strainer screen. It will either be a round, tubular screen which you can pull out with a needle nosed pliers or a tweezer. Clean it under running water and a fine brush and replace it. If it is the other style which looks like a small thimble, you can gently pry it out and clean it as well. Then put it back and reassemble the valve and you should be good to go for another 20 years!
The new valve is a single coil type but is still available under part number 4171000. See the link. I do believe it will go right in and they provide a new hose for it so you should have everything you need.
Hope this helps
Steve
If you decide to get a new water valve, get one from Ebay. I recently installed my KDS-18 and found a very slow leak at the water valve. I ordered the 4171000 single coil valve to replace my original double coil one.
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
KDS-21 Not Washing in The Top Rack
I'll let you know tomorrow how things turn out. I'd really like to fix it as it just seems to be so well made compared to today's models. Thanks for the help and tips so far - I am so glad that I found this site.
I'll let you know tomorrow how things turn out. I'd really like to fix it as it just seems to be so well made compared to today's models. Thanks for the help and tips so far - I am so glad that I found this site.
as it just seems to be so well made compared to today's
And that is definitely an understatement.
And that is definitely an understatement.
christfr
Well-known member
nothing fancy you just know when the kids just dont sound right ha ha. with mine after it would fill id look in there and there was like hardley any water but after the new valve bingo a full fill.. and away we go again
DW Inlet Water Valve Screens
Generally do not clog especially if you have have a tank style water heater as heavy particles stay in the bottom of the tank. We do see cases where the plastic dip tube in water heaters disintegrates and the little plastic particles will clog the inlet screen, however by the time this happens every shower head, faucet air=rater and washers hot inlet screen have already clogged and the customer is well aware of the problem.
If you do have to clean the domed style rounded screen it is best not to try to remove it to do so. If you remove it and bend it ever so slightly and it does not seat perfectly when reinstalled a small particle can get past the screen and make the valve stick open and you will have an uncontrolled FLOOD of HOT WATER on your hands.
When an Inlet Valve is over 20 years old and is showing any sign of problems and when you can still get a good quality replacement I would do so.
The 4171000 valve does not come with a new hose and you normally donot need one to use it on a KDS-21 DW, Good Luck. John
Generally do not clog especially if you have have a tank style water heater as heavy particles stay in the bottom of the tank. We do see cases where the plastic dip tube in water heaters disintegrates and the little plastic particles will clog the inlet screen, however by the time this happens every shower head, faucet air=rater and washers hot inlet screen have already clogged and the customer is well aware of the problem.
If you do have to clean the domed style rounded screen it is best not to try to remove it to do so. If you remove it and bend it ever so slightly and it does not seat perfectly when reinstalled a small particle can get past the screen and make the valve stick open and you will have an uncontrolled FLOOD of HOT WATER on your hands.
When an Inlet Valve is over 20 years old and is showing any sign of problems and when you can still get a good quality replacement I would do so.
The 4171000 valve does not come with a new hose and you normally donot need one to use it on a KDS-21 DW, Good Luck. John
Kitchenaid Dishwasher Imperial Selectra 21 - Upper Rack NOW
Just an update - I ordered the fill valve and replaced it out today - My dishwasher is ALIVE - and I am mucho dollars to the good!!! I've attached a photo of the valve - could not believe the junk in there. Thanks for all the help on this little project - not sure I would have known where to start ptherwise - You guys are most excellent.
THANK YOU , THANK YOU , THANK YOU.
Just an update - I ordered the fill valve and replaced it out today - My dishwasher is ALIVE - and I am mucho dollars to the good!!! I've attached a photo of the valve - could not believe the junk in there. Thanks for all the help on this little project - not sure I would have known where to start ptherwise - You guys are most excellent.
THANK YOU , THANK YOU , THANK YOU.
