KitchenAid KDS 17 Superba by Hobart dishwasher

[xmastoo]

One of these came with our house when we moved in 25 years ago. It is original to the house (1973). It is in need of a couple of parts and no one seems to have them anymore. It is an awesome machine and I don't want to lose it!
(1) the plastic piece that resets the program when you open the door has broken. The repairman jerry-rigged it but it won't last forever. He called some supply place and they told him parts are no longer available.
(2) he said he can tell by the sound that the timer is dry, but can't be opened for lubrication and, again, no replacement available.
Have tried searching the web for parts and came upon this site. Does anyone know where replacement parts might be available?

 

[toploader55]

Fear Not

Someone will come to the recue.

Welcome.

 

[xmastoo]

Thank you! The repairman couldn't praise these old dishwashers enough. I knew I liked it, but I didn't realize just how well-built they are. I guess it makes "business sense" that they don't manufacture the parts any more; one would never need to buy a new dishwasher.

 

[rp2813]

The repairman may have been trying to locate parts through either KitchenAid or Whirlpool, which is why he had no success.

The place you want to check is with Hobart. You have a better chance of finding the parts that way, as Hobart still carries certain components that will work on older machines.

Steve the Hobart man can say for sure. If he sees this thread, he'll likely post some useful information for you.

 

[combo52]

KDS-17

The reset cam in the door can be jury-rigged and should last if not a good used one can be found. The timers can still be found but it is easy to lubricate with silicone spray lubricant, if it is one of the timer motors thats noisy used or new ones can be found. Or you can remove the complete timer and sent it to Midwest timer and they will repair and recondition it and return it to you. The KDS-17 dishwasher has the easiest to remove and reinstall timer of any KA DW ever made, because of its quick disconnect plugs and its location.

 

[rollermatic]

the kds-17 is my favorite

of all kitchenaid dishwashers. i have 7 in my collection of dishwashers at the present time, one with a stainless steel tub that i never knew existed till i got it! it is the kdss-17a.

anyway parts are out there as said above. i just bought a new detergent cup for my kdss-17a off e bay and as said i have seen timers. i will say though i have never had a timer issue on any of mine. they might squeak a bit and i have put a drop or so of wd-40 on the cam lobe arm that moves the timer cam itself but other than that no issues.

pump parts are available as said above, hobart has pump seals as well as larry at modern parts in cleveland. i also see pumps themselves on e bay frequently if you ever would need one which i seriously doubt.

that door switch peice should be easy to rig if it goes out again, it's a simple design. and racks pop up all the time on e bay.

enjoy your machine, i use mine all the time! nothing like a kds-17a!!! i remember when they came out in the early 70's. i wanted one but we were too poor for that! so i had to settle on stopping at the local plumbing supply center to look at them, several times a week on my way home from school! had no idea that 35 years later i would have a house full of em!!!

 

[stevet]

got a part number

off of that timer? I have a buddy who may have a timer for you!
Steve

 

[rp2813]

Can anyone advise if that plastic re-set piece is the same as what's used on a KDS-20?

 

[magic clean]

Ralph

the KD 20 reset cam is different than that of a KD 17 series machine and not backwards compatible. If memory serves; the KD 20 is a more robust design.

lp

 

[rp2813]

Thanks for the information. Yesterday was door-switching day on the ISE I scored, so the little plastic re-setter is part of the components I saved from the KDS-20's donor door. I was going to offer it up if it was an interchangeable part.

 

[xmastoo]

Thank you so much for all the help!

I took the advice to contact Midwest Timer and they emailed that they have a new replacement timer available for my machine. They said it is part #4161474. So hopefully that will work and is one issue resolved! Since I'm a gal and will probably need to call repair service, I'm glad to hear that it's an easy switch-out.

I also heard from an appliance company in Portland. They have an "appliance graveyard" that I can scrounge through for parts looking for the plastic piece. You're right, the part from the KD 17 isn't very "robust". The part the repairman used to jury-rig it was of much thicker plastic, but not interchangeable.

 

[xmastoo]

Oh - I just reread the message from Steve regarding his buddy's timer. I don't have the part number from my machine, just what Midwest Timer said their part number is. Would it be the same?

 

[neptunebob]

What about the timer and latch mechanism from a KD16? Is is "forward compatible"? I might be selling the parts on ebay.

 

[xmastoo]

Thanks. I just looked at my repair bill again and the plastic part I need is the KDS-17 Program Switch Actuator. I know later models don't work because the repairman tried. Whether the KD-16 part would fit - ? I don't know.

 

[qsd-dan]

What are the differences between a KDS-17 and a KDS-17A timer and are they interchangeable? There's an NOS KDS-17A timer on ebay that may be of interest if someone can chime in with some compatibility answers.

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