Pristine 1972 GE DW

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jamiel

jamiel

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Detroit, Michigan & Palm Springs, CA
A friend purchased a condo in Palm Springs built in roughly 1972 with the original kitchen, including the two-button GE dishwasher (with automatic Rinse-Glo). The condo was truly a time capsule, with the pushbutton GE Americana double-oven stove, and all original fixtures. Really a time capsule.

Apparently the d/w doesn't work. Peeking inside, the damn thing is pristine. Not a lump or bump mars the Celery green Plastisol interior. This one has the sump in the back with the round recessed plastic pump guard, the clown-shoe metal arm, a spray tower. Noticed that the detergent dispenser is stuck closed (didn't turn the timer through the whole cycle). Two buttons.

I hope he keeps it---we're down here for a couple more weeks, and I'm looking for some ammo to help George keep the d/w (he found a used Sub-Zero refrigerator from the mid 70s which fit beautifully). George can be convinced to keep it...can it be serviced from in the tub, or is it going to have to come out.

Did I say the thing was immaculate---literally looks like it probably did at Gemco (!) on the sales floor.

I can likely get some pics...any advice?
 
Don't get rid of it!

My family got a GE Potscrubber in 1973 that had the identical interior with the color coordinated green plastisol tub, racks, and silverware basket. It was a killer machine.

It prompted my mom to say, "I never thought a dishwasher could be so good!"

Those earlier GE's were extraordinarily easy to repair.

We need a little more information. When you say "It doesn't work." Can you tell us exactly what that means? Is it dead in the water, does the motor work or just hum, does it not fill, does the drain solenoid function, does the timer advance, etc.

The detergent cup is mechanically connected to a cam on the timer, so if you turn the knob manually, past the beginning of the second wash position, it should spring open, unless it is somehow jammed.

I assume you checked to make sure its circuit breaker is on, and the water valve to it is open. It most likely has a dedicated breaker, and there often is a dedicated water valve to the dishwasher under the sink.

Please give us the specifics and we can help you troubleshoot. We look forward to the pictures!

[this post was last edited: 10/26/2021-20:48]
 
I'm aware of some of the quirks (mechanical cam detergent dispenser and rinse agent), and didn't get much of a chance to play with it and attempt to figure out what the problem is---will do that later. Issue is more that if it has to be removed to be fixed, it's probably getting trashed. If it can be repaired in place, it might have a chance to survive. I'll visit and get more info.
 
We moved into a house with a similar Hotpoint. After sitting unused for some time, the motor was stuck. If you open the service panel, the motor & large cooling fan are easily accessed. Giving the fan a shove freed it and we had no further problem for the six years we lived there.
 

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