Hobart designed KitchenAid dishwasher detergent dispensers
Yes, do you need a full charge of water to put enough load on the motor since the five metal is wired in series with the motor.
You can also adjust the bimetal loosen the two screws and adjust it, so it just barely catches the little finger on the dispenser release arm, that way as a bimetal starts to deflect it all released properly these dispensers were a little touchy to get right, but then they worked pretty well.
And yes if it’s leaking, it may not work properly but I doubt yours is leaking. This was a pretty lightly used dishwasher .
John