KitchenAid KDS20 won't drain ..could it be motor or timer?

[ausmith]

I hope someone can help me. I have a KitchenAid dishwaher KDS20. It goes through the cycle but doesn't drain. I disassembled the lower arm and pump housing. I replaced the gasket in the pump housing and cleaned all the lime/calcium/soap deposits off all parts down to the drain impeller, but it didn't help. The impellers looked fine and moved freely.

I then replaced the drain valve/solenoid, but it still doesn't drain. It doesn't drain into a disposer so there aren't any hoses there that are clogged.
What else could be causing the problem...a timer or drain pump motor?

Could these parts be the cause of not draining, but still run normally through the rest of the cycle?

Please help me figure out what the problem is.

 

[kenmore71]

Have you used a meter or light bulb to see if the solenoid is getting power? If it isn't it's likely a timer issue.

 

[ausmith]

KDS20 doesn't drain

Thank you for replying.

I have a multimeter but I am not sure how to test the solenoid. What volt setting would I set it on? Would I just take off the spade connections to the solenoid and hold the multimeter ends to the exposed prongs?

Several discussions said it would drain if you use the cancel button mine did not.

 

[chachp]

I had that problem some time ago...

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">And mine turned out to be a small kink in the hose that I did not see at first.  It was behind the dishwasher.  I straightened the hose and problem solved.  I know you said no clogs but have you checked the entire length of the hose for kinks?  I missed it on mine the first time.  </span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Do you hear the drain solenoid click when it's time to drain?</span>

 

[laundromat]

Is the disposer brand new? If so,did you punch out the cover where the drain hose connects?
The reason I ask is that many "do it yourself" customers I sold disposers to did not punch out the plastic cover , thought their dishwasher broke too,replaced it and still,no drain. Once they saw the mistake,it was too late to get a refund or the original dishwasher back. Just a thought.

 

[ausmith]

Thnaks for the replies ...Still not draining

I tested the voltage to the solenoid. It registered 115V after each wash and rinse cycle and I heard the "snap". The wash arm spun and sprayed water.

The hoses to and from the solenoid/drain valve were checked, no kinks or clogs. The hose goes to the sink drain, so the disposer isn't involved.

I disassembled it down to the lower pump impeller and there isn't any debris and the impellers have no cracks or broken pieces. The upper and lower impellers fit together as they should.

After the solenoid snaps, the machine is quiet, no attempt to drain at all. I also didn't hear any water flowing in for the rinse. I assume since no water drained out from the wash the overflow sensor prevented any more water to enter the machine.

No water drains out when I "cancel" the cycle either.

Does this indicate a bad motor? Does the motor only run during the drain cycle?

Is there any thing else to check?