Maytag WU-1000 Soap Dispenser

[tombombadom]

Hey all!

I think I may have a problem, I noticed this morning that the soap dispenser is not opening on my Maytag. I got it to slide over only to be greeted by some rock hard soap that was left over from the last cycle. I also noticed the door didn't seem to have any spring to it, usually it will snap open when it goes to do the wash. I have yet to try it again.

I have not checked any relays, but shouldn't that door have some spring action to it?

I am hoping it can be saved, but I can take bad news if that is the case. I know this machine isn't exactly new. It has served me very well in the almost year of ownership that I have had.

I also googled and found the dispenser but its not available. Hopefully I can get this working again!! I also may try taking the panel off and taking a look behind there and see what I can see.

Thanks in advance!

 

[coldspot66]

I may have a 901839 dispenser. Is that the part # you are looking for?

 

[tombombadom]

Model

900370 appears to be the part I am looking for.

Upon further tinkering I got it to spring open. I also ran it and it did open. I am wondering if I overfilled the dispenser and it got stuck maybe? I'll keep an eye on it too and see if it acts up again.

 

[tombombadom]

Video

Yeah it appears there's still an issue. Im wondering if it's not a relay issue. This unit sat dormant for quite a while before I came along. At a minimum enjoy some wash sounds. Fast forward towards the end when the cycle starts again to see that it didn't open.

The initial issue was it felt like the spring was broken, but after playing around some with it it seemed to be working. Not sure at what point it is supposed to open, but I know it's not too terribly far into the cycle. This was well over a minute in before I stopped it and opened it myself.

 

[bradfordwhite]

It sounds loud.  I think that was a thing with this era of MT dw.

 

I like that electronic console though and it looks like it's in really good shape.

 

[tombombadom]

It is in really nice shape. I dont think it saw much use before it went to sleep. I'd like to keep it running. I am not at all impressed with the look and feel of any of the new appliances in the stores.

I went back and watched the video its kind of deceptive, I don't think it's as loud as it sounds in the video. But it's far from whisper quiet for sure. Thankfully it's completely on the other side of the house from the living room so I don't hear it when I'm in there.

 

[hippiedoll]

Very cool!

Thank you for sharing that video of your Maytag dishwasher. I hope that dispenser door opening issue can be taken care of easily.

Keeping my fingers crossed for you...

 

[reactor]

relay board

I had this model some years ago, and am working from memory. You should have six relays behind the lower panel. They are low voltage DC controlled. If I recall correctly, the one with the orange-white wire is the detergent cup relay.

Check for continuity of the relay coil.

I am assuming your heating element is working. An open heating element will keep your detergent cup from opening. The the bi-metallic heater trip for the detergent cup runs in series with the heating element to reduce voltage. An open heating element will also stop your detergent cup from operating.

The relays are in close proximity with the motor and the heat and vibration take their toll on them now that they are over three decades old. I had to replace a couple of them. Very easy to do.

 

[tombombadom]

Report

Ok. Did some probing around with my multimeter. Verified the heater circuit wasn't open, ran it with the cover off and observed the relay trigger, it was a few moments (15 seconds maybe? Figure that bi-metalic strip takes a few moments to heat up) and then I heard the soap dispenser open.

Wondering if maybe I'm overfilling it? I'm trying to be more conscious of that. I pretty much only use the Cascade powder stuff. Pods don't really fit well in this dispenser. I have noticed.

I also re seated all the wires to that relay. Figure that can't hurt and I don't want to try too many things at once that I may mask the issue/chase it. I'll just keep an eye on it for now and see what happens. I know this unit isn't new, but I'd like to keep it going.

 

[reactor]

detergent dispenser

You have checked all the right things, Tom. Possibly the previous owner had some calcium carbonate build-up on the shaft of the detergent dispenser. You might check for that. Possibly, your relay could be operating sporadically.

Your spring may also be getting a bit weak. When the spring is in optimal condition, your cover opens with a good amount of force.

When I use Cascade pods in my Reverse Rack, I just give the pod a little squeeze to flatten it out a bit before putting it in the dispenser and there doesn't seem to be any problem. It seems Finish Max-In-One Powerball and Finish Quantum hard tablets fit it, but I don't recall for sure as I haven't used them for a while.

If not, pull the little red ball off the tablet a place it in the dispenser below the tablet to give you more clearance, or break the tablet in half and orient each half to fit the contour of the dispenser.

 

[tombombadom]

This unit (and everything else in the house) has sat mostly unused for the last 20-25 years. I know sitting can be harder on things then using them. It looked virtually brand new inside and out when I moved in.

To my surprise the only appliance I've had to replace since ive been here is the water heater. And the only reason it got replaced was because it was filling my house with carbon monoxide. Other than that everything is working great surprisingly.

I am betting on maybe a flakey relay. Maybe I'll try and order one or if it gives an issue again swap it out for another inside there and if the problem moves replace the relay. I'll also work with the dispenser some and see if I can improve the movement. The spring feels pretty good yet, time will tell I guess.