Need help fixing door switch on GE Power Shower

[dishwasherjan]

Hi everyone,

I'm new here and am hoping someone can give me some advice. I bought this Power Shower Dishwasher a few months ago and I LOVE it! A few weeks ago, it was acting up and wouldn't start. I would open the door and shut it and then it would start. Then I had to push the switch that opens the door a few times and pull up on it and then it would start. Now, it won't start at all.

I don't know if I need to get a new switch or if there is some way to fix it? Maybe spray some penetrating oil in there? Perhaps it is just getting stuck and won't do whatever it does(I have no idea).

Can anyone help me?

I'll post some pictures in a few minutes.

 

[dishwasherjan]

[No message]

 

[dishwasherjan]

Does anyone know if this is something that is fixable? I'd really like to get it working again, it worked so much better than my modern dishwasher

 

[launderess]

Hello

Give things a bit of time. Only a few of us have this DW and or know about them, and it is the holiday season so people are away/busy.

Offhand whenever mine is acting up I make sure the chosen button is pushed down all the way, and the others are well lifted.

These things do get gummed up with use and time, but until/unless told differently wouldn't go applying or spraying any sort of substance just yet.

If the unit will run when door is shut and or switches selected properly it could be a connection issue. That is the switch/latch telling the machine to start isn't making proper connection. This could require taking switch/button assembly out and cleaning contacts, and or the door latch. But again I'd wait for someone more with more knowledge to come along.

In the meantime suggest you research the archives and see if your problem has been discussed previously.

 

[turquoisedude]

It does sound like the lid switch is at fault here.  Fortunately,  it's reasonably easy to get at - you will have to remove the front panel to get at it.  There are two screws at the very bottom of the panel that need to be removed; then carefully lift the panel up to unhook it from the cabinet.  Be careful not to kink or damage the unicouple & hose assembly.  Pull the hose out slightly to give yourself some room to work with.  The switch should be accessible now.

Do also check for loose wires or bad connectors on the switch.  Test the switch contacts with a multimeter to see if it is making contact; it may just need a shot or two of contact cleaner.  If the switch looks good, check to see if the lid pin lines up with.  The switch mounting may have slipped over time.  

If the switch doesn't seem to work after a cleaning, replacement would be the best bet. Yes it can be "cheated " but opening a top-load dishwashwer while running will redefine 'PowerShower' trust me....

If the switch is bad please post a photo of it; I may have one from an older MobileMaid but I am not sure if it would fit.

Good luck!!

 

[bajaespuma]

Another Mobile Maid fan

I second and third what Paul and Laundress have said. Sounds like a broken safety switch that is easily repaired and/or replaced.

 

The other good news is that these Mobile Maids show up on eBay and Craigslist frequently enough that sometimes it's easier to solve the problem simply by replacing the whole machine. The one you have is a BOL blessed with a detergent dispenser( instead of a trough) and a Power Shower, both significant step-up features. These dishwashers didn't change all that much from 1962 to 1969 except they got noisier.

 

[dishwasherjan]

Thank you, Launderess. I did give up but just now checked back to see if anyone had replied and saw that indeed people did.

turquoisedude, I will do as you have suggested and thank you so much! I am a complete novice at this though so will need to look up how to test the switch contacts with a multimeter. I'm very optimistic now that you've told me how to do this all

And, you made me laugh with "opening a top-load dishwashwer while running will redefine 'PowerShower' " I did get a visual of that in my mind, ha ha! Maybe I'd have someone else open it while it was running just for fun because I'm just funny like that, lol.

bajaespuma, I did a quick search on my CL area and couldn't find one just now. I got mine for $30 which was why I got it(short on cash always). Now I really love it and think it is better than modern dishwashers, but don't think that I'll get lucky enough to find one at anywhere near as good of a price. I will keep this in mind if the attempt to repair doesn't work though, because I don't really want a modern dishwasher anymore.

 

[dishwasherjan]

Just an update. I am so happy that you told me how to fix the machine. I finally had a spare chunk of time today and opened up the front of the machine. It turns out that a wire had come disconnected. We put a new connector thing on it and now it runs again

So, thank you again!!!

 

[turquoisedude]

Yay!  Congratulations!  It is surprising how often a problem like this is not a major one and better still, that it is an easy fix.  Happy automatic dishwashing!!