Whirlpool dishwasher heating issue

[dustin92]

I have a Whirlpool dishwasher (WDT710PAYM6), from about 2014. It replaced the Frigidaire that just didn't work great. Anyway, I found the heating element to be bad (burned out, broken in half) and after replacing the element it works seemingly great, however, I noticed the tub had about a 6" area where it's been melting (not melted through, but deformed) under the heating element. We wash a lot of plastic and nothing has been damaged. Today I opened the door during the drying cycle (after a 1 hour cycle) and the heating element was glowing. Not just slightly red, bright orange like an oven. Any ideas? Explans the damaged tub, but why is it overheating? Would definitely explain the element burning out..

 

[egress]

if the element really was glowing red hot when you opened the dishwasher, I'd of course stop using it until you can figure out why. It should not be getting that hot under any circumstance and that poses a fire risk, and you've noticed the tub melting too. is it hot while the dishwasher is "off"? (power still turned on but dishwasher is not running). My guess would be either the control board or thermistor has failed in an un-safe manner and is causing the symptom of a glowing hot element. if you find the element is still warm even when not running i'd immediately disconnect power from the dishwasher until you can seek repair, which will likely be a replacement control board and/or thermistor.

 

[dustin92]

Yes, it was completely orange. Totally cold when it's off, though and I have been leaving the door open. I will unplug it after the cycle, the connection is easily accessible. I ran another load last night (sensor cycle) and it worked fine. Element never glowed, dishes dried normally. I'm currently running a 1 hour cycle to see if it malfunctions again, but sitting about 10 feet from the machine. I normally use high heat dry (options of "High","eco", and no heat) but I had selected "Eco" which is normally a lower drying temp. I did the same tonight but I'm watching it.

 

[dustin92]

And.. It did it again. I did stop it before the element got totally orange, but it was definitely starting to glow. Smelled slightly of burnt rubber when I opened the door. I had to stop it within about 5 minutes of the element coming on, and it never cycled off. Dishwasher is now unplugged. Should I persue repairing it or just read the last rights? I'm a bit afraid to continue using it honestly.

 

[combo52]

Red Hot Heater In A WP DW

Did you install the correct [ new ] element in the DW ?

 

The element should not get this hot, differently use air dry till you figure this out.

 

If you used an older element from a porcelain tank DW they did glow red hot.

 

John L.

 

[dustin92]

I ordered the same part number Whirlpool had listed, fit was a little tight but no modification of anything was needed. Old element broke in two when removing it so would have been hard to measure. I can check the part number from my order if you happen to know the correct one. I've never seen a dishwasher element glow bright orange- maybe slightly red, this was completely orange (in the picture above, all areas that are now white, were orange) definitely had an overheating smell going on.

 

[repairguy]

I see part number W10518394 for the element.

 

[dustin92]

Yes, that was the part number. Element seemed slightly longer in length and fit slightly tighter through the tub holes, but it wasn't genuine Whirlpool.. I figured same part number, a heating element is a heating element? Maybe not? I'd rather not replace the element again but if that is my issue, I will. Dishwasher works amazing otherwise.

 

[combo52]

Send that element back

And order the correct one from whirlpool,

Elements in older dishwashers did glow red hot if it’s getting orange that’s even hotter than red hot , did you try putting an amp meter on it? When the element is not wet it should be drawling only two or 3 A I think yours is probably drawling about eight or 10, you may ruin the control board using this element as well.

John L

 

[pierreandreply4]

i would reccomend for a while using air drying dishes not heat dry until you resolve and fix the issue

 

[gelaundry4ever]

normal cycle

Did you try normal cycle with heat dry? What about rinse aid? Either try that, or sensor, high temp and heat dry.

 

[dustin92]

Unfortunately I don't have an amp meter, I can ask the eBay seller I bought the element for a replacement.. Maybe somehow I did get the wrong one. Would it be the same as the element from say a point voyager Whirlpool? I have one stored I could swap for testing purposes.
I'm almost afraid to use it at all now, we often start the dishwasher in the evening before bed.. Who knows what may have happened if I hadn't interrupted the drying cycle. I'll definitely try to fix it as it's been an awesome cleaning machine in the time we've had it, but I'm scanning for a suitable replacement on Craigslist and Marketplace.