KitchenAid KDS-18 Service Manual Help Request

[chickpea]

Hello All,
I've lurked for awhile and enjoyed learning. Just when you've convinced me to keep my KitchenAid, it conked out on me. No nothing! Machine is getting juice, but no go. I was able to find some low quality parts lists and exploded diagrams online but not much else. My hubby is pretty handy, but the lack of quality of these prints are hampering our efforts to save the KitchenAid. I was wondering if any of you may have access to or can lead me in the direction of a service manual for this machine. I would be most grateful.
Thanks, Donna

 

[stevet]

Bet it's the actuator for the door interlock switch

Donna, check and see if there is a black rubber/plastic or white plastic pointed object sticking out of the tub frame on the top right corner. That activates the door interlock switch and all the power goes thru that switch. So if it isn't being actuated, you will have a dead machine even with power at the terminal block on the bottom of the unit. Check that and if you dont know what I mean, I can send you a picture of one! The actuator goes into the hole in the door on the right hand top side as well and pushed the lever on the switch.

If there is no water in the tub, you can open the door, press any cycle button and latch the door. Then take a pencil and push it into that hole and if the machine runs, the problem is the missing actuator. They very often break off.

Steve

 

[chickpea]

You won't believe this....

I just got home and it is now fixed! At the upper right hand corner, and just to the right of black rubber switch you referred me to, is an "L" bracket that secures the machine to the counter top. The screw to that bracket had worked it's way out just enough to prevent the actuator from penetrating the door, but not enough to prevent closing the door securely. HA! Boy, am I happy! We are both not working right now, so this no cost fix could not be any sweeter! The machine does not fit squarely into the opening, but we are apprehensive about straightening it out without knowing what delicate plumbing connections, etc. are involved.

Thank you so so much for your speedy reply!

I will put this in my favorites just in case. I wish I did have a user manual, and/or service manual. It sure would be nice to know how to properly use and maintain this machine as this is the 1st house I've lived in with a dishwasher. (Can you believe it!) Our last house had a DW that never worked. Becuase it was such a small galley kitchen, I opted to have my hubby build me drawers instead. I inherited this one when I moved in here about 7 years ago. The house was built in '60 or '61 I think. I've been reading about the later models (19 series?) having a longer top arm and am contemplating on if it is worth replacing the one I have. It seems to work well; as I scrape all dishes very well because we were told to not have a disposal because of the septic. Ughh. I do miss that. I guess I just get paranoid about eating utensils being absolutely clean having a little one in the house.

Noise is an issue I would like to tackle as well. We have a somewhat open floor plan and boy, when that thing is running I can bearly hear myself think! Don't mind it during the day as much, but in the evening I sometimes don't press the button to start until I'm on my way to bed. Neither of these three issues I would try to tackle without documentation from the mfr. 'Guess I'm a read the directions kind of girl!

Do you have any clue where I could find either user, service, or both manuals? I've tried googling, but not had much luck other than diagrams and parts lists that I spoke of earlier that I was able to find at Parts Advantage. Wish they were clearer. I was surprised that I even struck out on the KitchenAid and Hobart websites.

Thank you again; I still can't believe it was that easy... Geeesh!

 

[mrcleanjeans]

The longer arm of the 19 wont matter if the corner upper rack items do not have anything below them on the lower rack that would block the 4 way bottom arm from reaching those items since the middle spray arm wont. A very good machine. Make sure your water is 140 at the tap and to use a phosphated powder like Cascade-Complete is best or Cascade Complete Packets which are the very best these days. The pack would go in the right-side soap cup.

 

[nmassman44]

Hey there Donna...Glad that fix worked out for you. I see another person from Massachusetts on here...yay!! You know that there is a garbage disposer by ISE that can be installed for people that have a septic system. It has an enzyme cartridge that injects a small amount of the bugs into the waste flow so your septic tank will effectively digest the food. My sister has one and has not had any issues with her septic system. I will go to ISE's website and dig up a linkie.

 

[nmassman44]

well I thought the pics wuld come out as well but it didnt....


Evolution Septic Assist®

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With an InSinkErator® food waste disposer in your kitchen, chicken bones, fruit rinds, coffee grounds and more can go right in the sink -- where they're virtually liquefied to safely flow into your sewage system or septic tank. You'll enjoy a cleaner food preparation area, and less bagged garbage cluttering your home.

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Household Disposers and Accessories Brochure







The Evolution Septic Assist® offers the following features:

MultiGrind™Two grind stages let you quickly grind difficult food waste you wouldn't put in a standard disposer, like celery and potato peels.
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40-Ounce Stainless Steel Grind Chamber and Grind Components handle more volume than standard disposers.
Bio-Charge® Injection Technology utilizes a natural microorganism to help break down food waste.
3/4 Horsepower Dura-Drive® Induction Motor gives you more horsepower than standard disposers.

 

[chickpea]

Hi mrcleanjeans (cool name)

Yeah, I think I will not worry too much about replacing the upper arm. Thanks for reassuring me. I'm pretty careful about loading; I won't even let two identically sized spoons in the same compartment if I can help it! I used to use Cascade powder, but sometimes one of the cups not only failed to open, but it seemed the heat sealed it shut. 'Can't remember which cup it was, though. Switched to Cascade Complete in liquid form and don't have that problem anymore. The label directions do say to fill both, and I do anyway, mostly out of ignorance. (smile) Not sure what the water temp is set at, but I do know that it is scalding hot at the kitchen sink! I will have to check that out. Curious as to why you prefer powder?

 

[chickpea]

Hi nmassman44 (yay!)

I knew that there were disposers that could be used for septic systems, and asked the septic installer when we moved here, who advised against it. This is the first time I've ever lived with a septic system, and I can tell you I will think twice before doing that again. This was a brand new system when we moved here. Apparently, they had a hard time finding a spot that would perk and ended up with a system that the EPA, at that time anyway, had only approved for remedial applications. Which means, I've effectively replaced my sewer bill with a quarterly bill from the septic man who tests the effluent, sends the EPA reports, blah, blah, blah, in addition to the mandatory yearly contract. ARRRGGHHH Never seen such a thing. It has its own alarm, etc. It's a JET 3500 if I remember correctly. It's like it's own little sewage treatment plant, and expensive at that. That's the only reason why I heeded the septic installer's advice at the time. I should look into them again, though, because I was thinking the other day if I myself keep scraping thoroughly, then the only waste that will be in the disposer is minimal from other people in the house not scraping as carefully. I think that is a chance I could safely take. I would surely welcome the pleasure of flipping a switch, compared to gritting my teeth and rescraping after someone else! lol Thanks for the taking the time to dig up the link. I'll do some research and save up my pennies!

 

[mrcleanjeans]

Generally, powders outclean liquids. However, Cascade Complete liquid is the ONLY one that is really good. That should do!

 

[toploader55]

Hey there Chicpea

Are you from Chiccopee Ma . ?
Well you have some cousins here. I'm from the Cape and I have 3 KDS-18s If you need parts, Contact me. Eddie from the Cape

 

[chickpea]

Hey toploader55

Eddy, funny you should say cousins; you bear a resemblance to my hubby's brother, lol. No, I'm not from Chicopee, I'm on the South Shore, in Hanover. Lucky you, on the Cape!

I would like to spiff my machine up, and restore to original. After looking at some pictures here, I have a feeling I'm missing a few minor accessories, but lost without manuals. The parts lists I found on line do not show any info re accessories or process to service. Do you know where on the web, or anywhere for that matter, that I could find a source? I'm going to call my local parts store on Monday, maybe they can refer me to someone.

I only use one cycle, clueless as to what the others do and do not do. I wish I could find another for spare parts and for practice, lol. I was looking for a new DW about a year ago, when I started thinking of remodeling kitchen to bring it to this century, lol. A year and a layoff later, the kitchen remodel is on hold. Regardless, I've decided the KDS-18 is staying with or without a remodel after hearing you all talk about the newer machines. I've come to love the one I have, and I feel like I'm getting ready to fix up an old '66 Chevy Supersport. It's good to know you are close if I ever figure out what I need. Thanks a bunch.

 

[toploader55]

Hey there Chickpea

Hanover, WOW.
We're neighbors. Nice to see you here.

 

[stevet]

Ed..Help thy Neighbor!

Ed, let our new member know just how versatile the 18's cycles are!
Explain to her what each one does and how effective they can be.

I don't know how only one cycle can be used when there is a nice selection to choose from!

 

[appnut]

I don't know how only one cycle can be used when there i

Well, if she scrapes so thoroughly there's nothing left, then light soil would wash a load just fine lol. Eddy, if you don't have a user manual with the cycle sequence charts that oculd be scanned and posted, I probably could dig around in my memory and pretty much construct something in words for her that would tell her the sequences of every cycle.

 

[chickpea]

18 cycles, oh my

O.K. fellas, let's see I have 8 buttons. It's rumbling away right now as a matter of fact. I know, it's LOUD, but, y'all know about football sunday, no? Plus, I can't wait till bedtime, because the plumber will be here in the a.m. so no water then.

Ok. Lived here 7 yrs. Only used machine maybe about a dozen times for 1st 6. Funky looking parts would on occasion cause noise, no clue where they go, afraid of breaking it, I didn't want to keep using it. So, that's 6 years of not playing with the cycles.

This past year, I said to hell with it, thinking I'll remodel kitchen and get new. Lurking on this site to find out your opinions on new machines showed me the error of my logic. Have been using it a bit in the past 6 months, though I'm the only one. DH washes by hand, (I love a man with dishpan hands!) I think he was surprised when I told him that I wanted to keep it, but he appreciates quality, and is very handy. In fact, it's not often I get something new, because he's always fixing things! lol

So, I'm back to square one. Don't know what parts I'm missing, nervous about breaking it, and the normal wash cycle seems to do just fine. I would like to make it more quiet, square it with the counter, blah, blah, blah, more than anything. At this point, the only thing I know is which breaker turns off the power; don't even know if it's hardwired or plugged in!

You fellas must be having a good ol' time with this, but I don't want anyone to go crazy listing out cycles, etc. I spent most of day searching on line with small progress. I found I'm looking for "LIT4177183" (F-12258) which I think is the service manual for it. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see if that is correct. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky and they will be able to find me a user guide as well. Then I can talk cycles with the best of you!

All kidding aside, I'm very thankful to all of you for your help thus far.
Donna

 

[stevet]

HOLD YOUR HORSES!

I can tell you that I have the Service Manual for the machine in question but dont have the user guide to it. I can copy or scan a copy of it for you, though it would be a large file.
I have a parts manual for it as well so if you want that, we can arrange something too.

Basically, the full and Sani cycles are identical with the sani cycle heating the final rinse to 180 degrees before continuing. It will pause at the last fill and then heat the water with the sani light illuminated showing the heating taking place.

The short cycle is the same as the full cycle except that it has only 1 prewash, a 5 minute main wash instead of 8, and 2 after rinses instead of 3.

The soak and scrub adds prewashes and rinses to the full cycle and stops and heats the water a few times to no specific temperature, totally timer controlled and also has 3 after rinses.
Rinse and hold is less than 3 minutes and just gives a prerinse and then rapid advances the timer to the end of the cycle.
Plate warmer does just that. It takes the dishes to the drying cycle and blows heated air onto them to warm them up prior to serving.
The cancel drain button cancels any cycle wherever it is and drains the machine and advances the timer to the off position.
No Heat dry/ energy saver cuts off the heater in the drying unit and dries the dishes with the latent heat on them in the tank and uses room temperature air. If you like to save the few if any pennies it saves you by selecting that option, make sure that you use Jet dry or equivalent so that the water sheets off as best as it can bacause the drying results without the heat can be less than satisfactory.

If you can describe the parts that broke in the past, maybe we can advise what they were and get them to you.

You will find just about nothing available thru Whirlpool on this machine.We are all probably your best source for spares now, so let any of us know. Ed is really clsoe to you and is fast becoming an expert on these machines.

If you want hints about quieting it down, get to me separately.
Steve

 

[AndreaS]

Sweet find! KDS-18

Last year I came across a KDS-18 KitchenAid/Hobart dishwasher at a resale shop for $35! It had been used four times! It worked like a charm! Yes it is loud, but it does a great job cleaning! It recently started squirting water from the motor on the bottom. I replaced a tiny rubber seal and that solved it for about three months. It started up again, but replacing the seal didn't work. It looks like maybe I need to replace the drain impeller because there is a tiny cracked piece at the top. Any ideas? I have had no luck finding the piece. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! My family has been begging me to find a new washer but I'm insistent on repairing this one! It will last forever if I can!

 

[combo52]

Leaking KDS-18 DW

Hi, you should replace the drain impeller and seal assembly, it comes in a neat little kit Pt# 240366, this Pt# will probably change to a WP Pt#.

 

These were great DWs, but they are complicated and because of its age you really have to keep after these seemingly small problems if you want to keep this DW very long. A leak like this can destroy all kinds of parts under the machine if not caught and fixed quickly.

 

Good Luck, John L.