Our KDI-16 has worked reliably for us for many years. It was already in place when we bought our house in 1978, and until now has never needed service. A couple of days ago, the dishwasher began to flood during the rinse cycle, ie it fills but does not drain. We know the drain works fine because it functions properly in the pre-wash and wash phases. A highly rated appliance repair shop here in the DC area told us it was likely a timer problem and if so, repair was virtually impossible due to the unavailability of parts for such an old machine. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
KitchenAid KDI-16 drainage issue
- Thread starter dogbreath
- Start date
Help Support :
It does sound like a timer issue. There's an older gentleman that has a stcokpile of older parts handy. Give him a call and describe the problem to him. Chances are, he probably has the timer in stock.
Larry
Modern Parts House
216-661-6966
Larry
Modern Parts House
216-661-6966
rollermatic
Well-known member
i would also say
a timer issue based on what you have said. if the dishwasher
consistently drains in all prewash and wash phases but will not drain in one of the after rinses that would definately be a timer issue.
your machine has a fill pressure switch that is supposed to keep it from overflowing should it begin a fill period while the tub is already full from the last wash or rinse.
in older machines like the 16 models (i have 3 of em) this switch can become inoperative due to crud build up basically in the small tube that sends water pressure to the switch.
this would result in an overflow if the timer is mal-
functioning. even if you fixed the pressure switch (which is usually an easy fix) your machine still will not drain if the timer is bad.
i don't know if larry has a timer or not, if i remember correctly he told me didn't have kitchenaid timers last time i visited him in cleveland this summer. but i could be wrong, worth a phone call at least.
i don't have any extra timers myself but occasionally i see them on e bay for the older 16 and 17 models that i love to collect.
if all elsae fails you can always run your machine manually using 3 small switches. one to turn off timer motor, one to turn on drain valve, one to turn on fill valve.
most people would not want to go thru the work to hook them up
ot the ordeal of running the machine manually but since i collect them and have a bunch i do have one of my 17 models that i use as a regular machine wired this way. i start it, turn off timer motor motor, fill it, let it wash as long as i want, drain it, and etc. for me it's fun but hey i'm not a normal kitchenaid owner! i use em as a hobby!
but if you can't find a timer and you want to hang on to that machine it can be easily done. or you could add one switch to simply turn on drain valve when timer messes up, that way you could drain it when needed. any questions e mail me!
good luck, hope you find a timer!
a timer issue based on what you have said. if the dishwasher
consistently drains in all prewash and wash phases but will not drain in one of the after rinses that would definately be a timer issue.
your machine has a fill pressure switch that is supposed to keep it from overflowing should it begin a fill period while the tub is already full from the last wash or rinse.
in older machines like the 16 models (i have 3 of em) this switch can become inoperative due to crud build up basically in the small tube that sends water pressure to the switch.
this would result in an overflow if the timer is mal-
functioning. even if you fixed the pressure switch (which is usually an easy fix) your machine still will not drain if the timer is bad.
i don't know if larry has a timer or not, if i remember correctly he told me didn't have kitchenaid timers last time i visited him in cleveland this summer. but i could be wrong, worth a phone call at least.
i don't have any extra timers myself but occasionally i see them on e bay for the older 16 and 17 models that i love to collect.
if all elsae fails you can always run your machine manually using 3 small switches. one to turn off timer motor, one to turn on drain valve, one to turn on fill valve.
most people would not want to go thru the work to hook them up
ot the ordeal of running the machine manually but since i collect them and have a bunch i do have one of my 17 models that i use as a regular machine wired this way. i start it, turn off timer motor motor, fill it, let it wash as long as i want, drain it, and etc. for me it's fun but hey i'm not a normal kitchenaid owner! i use em as a hobby!
but if you can't find a timer and you want to hang on to that machine it can be easily done. or you could add one switch to simply turn on drain valve when timer messes up, that way you could drain it when needed. any questions e mail me!
good luck, hope you find a timer!
You're in luck!!!!
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rollermatic
Well-known member
wow!
that is definately a "dishwasher miracle" from automaticwasher.org!!! i have seen that happen before on this site and experienced it myself!
a kdi-16 timer for 40 bucks on e bay right when you need it!
they are easy to put in, don't let the wires etc. intimidate you! just take the old one out and then put the new one in the same way. take notes if you need to, that's what i do when i'm replacing parts. kitchenaid timers are very easy to switch, easier than many other brands! they are at the bottom of the machine, not on the top of the door!
if you run into difficulty e mail me and i will look at one of my kd-16's and help you. or you can call me but i'm hard to get ahold of, no cell phone (hate em) no answering machine (don't like em either). late at nite (after 11 p.m. is best).
513-456-6181.
good luck and what a miracle that was!
that is definately a "dishwasher miracle" from automaticwasher.org!!! i have seen that happen before on this site and experienced it myself!
a kdi-16 timer for 40 bucks on e bay right when you need it!
they are easy to put in, don't let the wires etc. intimidate you! just take the old one out and then put the new one in the same way. take notes if you need to, that's what i do when i'm replacing parts. kitchenaid timers are very easy to switch, easier than many other brands! they are at the bottom of the machine, not on the top of the door!
if you run into difficulty e mail me and i will look at one of my kd-16's and help you. or you can call me but i'm hard to get ahold of, no cell phone (hate em) no answering machine (don't like em either). late at nite (after 11 p.m. is best).
513-456-6181.
good luck and what a miracle that was!
Ah, actually, it is in the top of the door...
I believe the 16 was first with the timer on top of the door, the previous model 15 had the timer in the service panel. At least mine is on top.
Oh, and my brother Sam came to the rescue of our 16, he bought the new motor that will come soon. He also bought a new KitchenAid dishwasher for the kitchen, and not just a KA but the "Architect" series. For 1100 dollars it better put the dishes away!
Meanwhile, would it be possible to put another brand timer into a KitchenAid dishwasher? It seems to me it might be possible, is there any reason why not?
I believe the 16 was first with the timer on top of the door, the previous model 15 had the timer in the service panel. At least mine is on top.
Oh, and my brother Sam came to the rescue of our 16, he bought the new motor that will come soon. He also bought a new KitchenAid dishwasher for the kitchen, and not just a KA but the "Architect" series. For 1100 dollars it better put the dishes away!
Meanwhile, would it be possible to put another brand timer into a KitchenAid dishwasher? It seems to me it might be possible, is there any reason why not?
rollermatic
Well-known member
so sorry!
i got my 16 models confused with the 15's and the 17's, i forgot the timer is on top in the door on the 16's, at least the imperials i have.
most of my dishwashers are being stored in my "appliance room"
at the moment and i haven't really looked at any of them or worked on them in almost a year. been workin on my rollermatics in my spare time this year.
should still be an easy switch however! and i'm sure there a many of us here who can help you if you need it.
i got my 16 models confused with the 15's and the 17's, i forgot the timer is on top in the door on the 16's, at least the imperials i have.
most of my dishwashers are being stored in my "appliance room"
at the moment and i haven't really looked at any of them or worked on them in almost a year. been workin on my rollermatics in my spare time this year.
should still be an easy switch however! and i'm sure there a many of us here who can help you if you need it.
NON DRAINING KD -16 DW
Yes it could be a timer or about a dozen oher things. An easy way to test the timer is to wire a test light to the drain valve terminals at the drain valve. Then sit and watch the DW go through a complete cycle and make sure the light comes on for one minute at the end of each wash or rinse period before the machine starts taking in more water again. Also note at the end of the one minute drain period if all the water is out of the machine or if its still draining when the drain solenoid shuts off, it should all be gone at for least 15 seconds before the drain valve closes and the DW starts taking on more water again or in the case of the last drain the motor shuts off.
Yes it could be a timer or about a dozen oher things. An easy way to test the timer is to wire a test light to the drain valve terminals at the drain valve. Then sit and watch the DW go through a complete cycle and make sure the light comes on for one minute at the end of each wash or rinse period before the machine starts taking in more water again. Also note at the end of the one minute drain period if all the water is out of the machine or if its still draining when the drain solenoid shuts off, it should all be gone at for least 15 seconds before the drain valve closes and the DW starts taking on more water again or in the case of the last drain the motor shuts off.
Sam saves the 16! Steve you were right!
My brother liked the Mac's KitchenAid that he bought the motor from Sears Parts direct.
At first, we thought we would have to return it, there was a "bite" taken out of the flange of the motor but it does not seem to be in a critical area. Turns out it is the last such motor Sears has in America.
If I feel up I will install it tomorrow. Now we are going to be washing!
I see the original thread has fallen off. I was hoping maybe it could be archived so someone else might learn. Robert, any chance of getting it back?
Steve, you were right,we just HAD to repair this unit.
Pictures on the way.
My brother liked the Mac's KitchenAid that he bought the motor from Sears Parts direct.
At first, we thought we would have to return it, there was a "bite" taken out of the flange of the motor but it does not seem to be in a critical area. Turns out it is the last such motor Sears has in America.
If I feel up I will install it tomorrow. Now we are going to be washing!
I see the original thread has fallen off. I was hoping maybe it could be archived so someone else might learn. Robert, any chance of getting it back?
Steve, you were right,we just HAD to repair this unit.
Pictures on the way.
New KDI-16 timer has arrived, but...
I think Combo52's checklist is worth doing first. I've got the panel off the top front of the door and what I could see immediately is that I am not competent to deal with the problem, i.e. my diagnosing the illness would likely kill the patient. Do you suppose there's anyone in the Washington DC area who services vintage dishwashers? I've had no luck finding one so far.
Thanks.
I think Combo52's checklist is worth doing first. I've got the panel off the top front of the door and what I could see immediately is that I am not competent to deal with the problem, i.e. my diagnosing the illness would likely kill the patient. Do you suppose there's anyone in the Washington DC area who services vintage dishwashers? I've had no luck finding one so far.
Thanks.
whirlcool
Well-known member
If you have a digital camera, take several shots of how the old timer is installed. Then if you get lost during the installation, you could always refer to your photos!
NON DRAINING KD -16 DW
E Mail me your phone # or call me @ work 301-937-6996 and leave a message for John I am in the appliance repair business in the Washington DC area and can find you help.
E Mail me your phone # or call me @ work 301-937-6996 and leave a message for John I am in the appliance repair business in the Washington DC area and can find you help.
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