Looking for info on a KitchenAid Quiet Scrub Dishwasher

[piemaker]

A few years after my husband and I were married, his aunt and uncle added on to their house, and got all new appliances for their new kitchen. They asked if we wanted their dishwasher, since we didn't have one. They acted like it wasn't in all that great of shape, and was a little older, but we could take it or they'd just get rid of it. Washing dishes, by hand, was always my chore as a kid growing up, and I never cared for it. The dorms/apartments I lived in while going to college usually didn't have dishwashers, so more handwashing. I was thrilled to have ANY dishwasher. Needless to say, I didn't know much about them, like how some work better than others. So I figured that all dishwashers get stuff good and clean just like our 'new' KitchenAid got everything good and clean. When I saw my husband's aunt I told her thanks again, how much I loved having a dishwasher. She told me how much she missed it, their new one doesn't clean nearly as good. I was just beginning to enter the life of home (and appliance) ownership, and was starting to figure out that even though they're sleek and have lots of buttons and flashing lights, newer doesn't mean better.
So, fastforward about 10 years and the old KA dishwasher has a few extra dents and dings thanks to the kids crashing things into it. More rust spots and broken spindles/tines inside. But man that thing still gets dishes clean!
The problem I've been putting up with for probably a year now, is that the timer(?) quit working or something. I have to turn the knob manually for each and every step. Turn the knob, it fills with water and stops. Turn the knob another notch, and it starts washing. 20, 30 minutes later (hopefully, if I don't forget to set my timer) turn the knob another click to make it start draining, and so on until it's done. It is a pain (a big pain) but to me, still better than washing dishes by hand. And I don't want to get a new one. (I had to reluctantly upgrade from my old harvest gold Frigidaire Deluxe electric range a few months ago, I couldn't handle losing my KA too...)
I am not sure of the model number of the KA dishwasher, but I've seen some like it (I think one just like it) on here, so I am hoping someone will know what it is. I don't see a model# on the KA, and we don't have the manual/paperwork. I have pictures which I can hopefully figure out how to add. I think the model # might be KUDJ23... and then not sure after that. Maybe 0Y1 or OY1? Does the last part correspond with the color of it or something?
Then I took the front panel off, and found the timer assembly, and got a part # off of it: 9741787 but couldn't find anything as far as any available/for sale.
I don't know if you can tell the model# from the timer part#, but I thought this might be the place to ask. (I never really knew that people collected vintage appliances, but it's pretty interesting..I've been browsing around, haha.)
So, if anyone could tell me the right model # of my KA dishwasher, and if there's other timer part#s that would also work, I would be ecstatic.
But if I can't find a replacement timer, or even if I could, is the timer something that could be repaired, and would that be a better route? Could it be hard to find someone who could repair it? Can I save my KitchenAid Quiet Scrub???
Any help or advice is appreciated!
(Is the last picture just info on the motor for the timer? I wasn't sure what that was...)

 

[rp2813]

My guess is that you have a KUDI-23, the "I" designating the "Imperial" model.  I would approximate the machine's manufacturing date to be early to mid '90s.

 

Yours is an excellent dishwasher, as you're well aware, and worth fixing.

 

Resident KA expert SteveT will perhaps be able to advise on parts availability.  Meanwhile, start checking craigslist for a possible parts donor machine.

 

We had a KUDI-21 that never needed any repairs for the 18 years we owned the house where we had it installed new.  Some would say that the improved KUDI-23 is an even better performer.

 

[stevet]

Timer and other problems??

I have the same machine as yours but in the other style with all buttons and the rapid advance timer and indicator lights, no knobs to turn. It is a 23 series and has the whirlpool power module pump. I replaced the plastic crappy upper wash arm with a stainless steel one and have run it thru a few cycles and it works well and does a great cleaning job. The racks are nearly perfect as well and the porcelain has no chips in it. Too bad you are so far away Unless you are planning a trip to the sunshine state!

I did not find anyone selling your timer, but it may still show up on Amazon or ebay one day. But if you check the timer motor on it, see if you can make out the RPM's it turns at. I may have a timer motor you can use and at least keep the machine going without having to keep an eye on it.

 

[piemaker]

How do you find out RPMs? Is it printed or embossed on it somewhere? I took a picture of info on the timer assembly, wasn't sure if it was info for the little motor, or what.
( I called the 800 number on the inside lip of the door several years ago because the blue rubber tube that connects water supply to the top rack sprayer had started breaking down and falling off mid-wash, and KA had the aunt/uncle's info and knew what part I'd need and I paid and they shipped it, easy as can be. This time when I called, it was all automated until I was transferred to some other company? parts place? and he couldn't tell me anything except those parts probably aren't available any more. Nooooo....)
Here is the picture of possibly motor info??...

 

[stevet]

Pictures 4 and 5

of your original post. That bronze colored motor is the timer motor. There should be writing on the side of it as well as what you see in the picture. You may have to unscrew it from the timer to read it. If you could remove the timer and wires(dont forget where they connect on the timer body) and connect it to 115 volts, you can see if the motor turns and if you can hold back the small gear from turning. If the motor does not run, it needs to be replaced and if it does run and you cannot stop it, you will probably have to replace the timer.

You can try this seller on Ebay who has a large slew of timers available. You might get lucky.
And like I said, I may have that little motor for you form a working timer so keep all of us posted.
Steve

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120784737150?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[piemaker]

Thank you

Okay, I will try to get to the motor sometime and look closer at it. Thanks for the eBay link too.
And, I found the official model #KUDJ230Y2

 

[chachp]

I think your timer is on eBay

Go to ebay and search for this auction 252035647891. I believe that's your timer and its brand new. Sorry im traveling and doing this from my phone.

 

[piemaker]

It is

It is the exact part, I'll watch it. I was hoping to find something cheaper, or another machine like mine... thanks for the heads up!

 

[rp2813]

Keep an eye on craigslist for a machine like yours.  They show up there from time to time.

 

[chachp]

Sorry I know it's pricy.

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">But new ones in the box don't come along every day.  I noticed they have a Make Offer option.  Why not offer what you're willing to pay and see what happens?  I do alot on eBay and my experience is sometimes these folks just test the water with the Buy It Now price and accept much less on the Make Offer option.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">It's worked for me in the past as I have scored some pretty good deals.  On the flip side, some think they have a piece of Gold and won't budge.  You never know.</span>

 

[rp2813]

Make Offer

I have only made an offer two or three times, but every time the offer has been accepted.

 

Granted, it may have been for unusual items that might not be in as much demand as a part for a vintage appliance like the subject dishwasher, of which there are many still working in kitchens across the nation, but there's still nothing to lose in making an offer.

 

 

 

[piemaker]

Guess what?! I found one!

I had been checking craigslist...nothing, and then there it was--one just like mine, even the same color! Silverware basket's little dividers are slightly different, otherwise it's like a twin. It was 3 hours away in St. Louis, so I sweet-talked the mister into going with me (on one of the days he wasn't working or mowing) after we got in touch with the guy selling it. Seller said he didn't know if it worked-he pulled it out of a house he was working on, and figured he might be able to sell it. We got it for $40! I am hoping the timer at least works, but even the like-new racks are well worth it. It looks good, it smells good. Besides a dent in the lower right front panel, it is in great shape--the only bad thing is it makes mine look pretty shabby. (Didn't realize how many rust spots/missing tines/etc there were until seeing the new twin.)
So now we are deciding whether to switch out parts, or just install the new find, if it works. I figured I'd have to wait months to find one, if at all. Then again, I've never looked for a match, so maybe it's not that big of a deal, or maybe I really lucked out. I feel like I really lucked out, and I am thrilled. I will say though, while we were stuck in standstill traffic for 45 minutes on I-70 leaving St. Louis, with 3 children, we began to wonder if we had done the right thing...
Next up, the old vintage Maytag dryer has begun making a noise that doesn't sound very good, so I'll have to look into that.

 

[chachp]

Nice looking machine!

<span style="font-family: verdana, geneva;">Wow, that really looks like a nice looking and clean machine.  Did you install it or part it out?</span>

 

[rp2813]

Great CL Score!

That machine you found appears to have been well maintained and has perhaps seen relatively little use.

 

I'd just switch out the two machines if the new one checks out OK.  You can swap out the lower panel inserts (or from the looks of it, maybe the entire panels) and use the good one from your current machine.

 

If you have the room, keep your old machine as a parts donor.

 

[chachp]

Timer for your machine..

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">Hello piemaker.  I know you found a donor machine but I happened to come across a timer on eBay that you might want to pick up and keep as a spare.  It's brand new and listed for $15.  It's a relist meaning it didn't go the first time so I bet you can get it for $15.  It would be worth it to have as a spare.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: verdana,geneva;">http://www.ebay.com/itm/FSP-Dishwasher-Timer-9741787-/321882086264?</span>