KitchenAid (Hobart) Imperial 21 KDI-21A Classic

[tnvolman]

I recently bought this dishwasher from another craigslist seller to be used by my elderly parents. I was told by the seller the dishwasher worked just fine. In fact, the seller said they used it the morning I purchased it. However, when I hooked it up the next day, it did not work at all. After researching this dishwasher brand and model, I discovered that this dishwasher is a rare find and that many are purchased by collectors, whether they worked or not. So, I'm selling this non-working work horse classic KitchenAid Imperial 21 Model KDI-21A for $40 OBO. Again, I was not able to get it working, but it may be a simple fix. My loss is your gain!

http://nashville.craigslist.org/app/1871602498.html

 

[foraloysius]

Shouldn't this be placed in the Imperial Forum? Looks older than 20 years to me.

 

[stevet]

May be a simple fix!

Don't jump to sell your unit. It will probably be one of the best machines you will ever use. It may not work because the little tab on the right upper corner of the tub that activates the door interlock switch has broken off. It happens quite alot and may have happened when you were transporting it or the other person was careless in removing it.
It looks like a small cone shaped pointer and pushes in to the small hole on the top right of the door when you close it, thus activating the switch and allowing power to flow thru the controls.

Checking it is is easy enough.. It is either there or not! If it isn't, Let me know or else you can rig one up with a 6/32 screw and nuts.
You can see if the switch works by opening the door, pressing a cycle button and latching the door while it is open and then pressing in on the switch actuator with a pen or pencil. If the machine starts up, your switch is fine.
If the actuator is on the machine and the switch checks out good as above, then perhaps the switch bracket has loosened up, which sometimes happens and the screws that retain the bracket in place need to be tightened. Again, not hard to fix.
You have to remove the door handle(1 Screw) and then the top panel (4 screws on top and on on each side that hold the endcaps on) and you will see the switch and bracket. These switches and brackets had a spring on them to keep the door slightly ajar when closed and unlatched to prevent running the machine with the door unlocked. They do loosen up from time to time and render the machine inoperable.

Please check it out before condemning a really good unit.
This is a better unit that the classic "I" models that preceded it. This has the rapid advance timer and indictaor lights like the Superba but is missing the "Soak and Scrub"cycle and sani heat option. But still a fantastic machine and good looking too!

Good luck and we are all here to help you.
Steve
DON'T FORGET TO TURN OFF THE POWER TO THE DISHWASHER IF YOUA RE GOING TO TAKE OFF THE CONTROL PANEL.