WP Dishwasher questions

[mickeyd]

As will surprise no one here, I open the door repeatedly during cycles, always eyeing the fills to see the minimal amount required to get the top "Propeller"(laughs), whirling, among other interests. Sometimes, as Bob and Mark noted, the machine does NOT stop upon opening the door, but that is not normal. This is an occasional malfunction owing to the DW's age, perhaps, because as Al pointed out, the release of the latch stops the show.

Maybe Al and John have a better understanding of what is causing the random door-latch error. Thanks so much John for the explanation of the full stop. How cool of Whirlpool to do that. Had no clue; makes perfect sense.

Fun to learn of Tom and Mark's conservation of water. Not always but sometimes, after employing the protocol I mentioned using three drained Liquors, the large sink is full, and I simply throw dishes into the sink through out the day and evening. When morning comes, the sink-full of dishes is pre-washed, and the subsequent water discharges are pretty damn clean.

When I wrote about the fragrant hot steam warming the kitchen, this happens during the DRY cycle and during my investigative door openings ;'D, but I haven't noticed steam during the wash and rinses Tom so you may be right. You've given me more to study, but I haven't noticed any water pooling on the floor.

As Mark likes to say, it all, FUN FUN FUN, and it never goes away!

 

[DADoES]

 
There's a switch and actuator-lever in the door latch mechanism ... one or the other (or maybe both) are functioning erratically ... sticking or whatever ... when the latch is opened.  As I recall, a faint click is normally heard as the switch triggers when latch is raised or lowered.

 

[bradfordwhite]

Looks like there is kitchen carpeting in this pantry. If there's a door on that and with the carpeting it should keep it quiet when running.

 

[combo52]

Late 70s whirlpool portable dishwasher

Hi Michael, you probably have a sticking door switch machine should stop when you open the door, like you I often open the door many times during a cycle to add something etc.

Whirlpool recommends as with any dishwasher closing the door and not making it start for a few moments Because there is the possibility of a slight leak when the air expands and throws water out through a vent or under the door.

I do not do this I just close the door even when it’s steaming hot I’ve yet to ever have it leak but it is a possibility. If it leaks it’ll be right at the front and you will know it and you can act accordingly in the future.

John

 

[tomturbomatic]

Decades ago, I had my KDS14 on the same wall as my Frigidaire washer and the Bendix Duomatic. All of them drained into a standpipe. I would lift the hose for the KDS14 out of the standpipe and fill the Frigidaire washer pr the Duomatic with the hot water from the 3 rinses and use that for wash water for a load of whites. I had an electric water heater and conserved in any way that I could.

 

[mickeyd]

When the rich Northeast Winter settles in earnest, and kitchen washer play takes full hold, I amuse myself with multiple ways to recycle water. A favorite is to use the Frigidaire Spin-Tube wet bar installation to fill the Easy washtub and/or spin rinse with the hot discharge. That way the extravagant, three full-minute tub flushes do not go to waste.

Thanks Glenn and John for the diagnosis. When the latch malfunctions I get a nice face wash.

 

[maytaga806]

Would love to hear a video of this running!! I’m sure the interior looks beautiful now that it’s been cleaned and used a bit. Bleach is not a good idea in dishwashers due to the over sudsing especially in these very powerful older machines even regular cascade platinum pacs oversuds mine here and there. Was that the original pump and motor replacement or was that a slightly newer pump for it? So glad you got it up and running that is a true vintage Whirlpool portable! I bought a 2005 portable Powerclean two years ago, never have I had a problem other than the main detergent cup not opening during wash, needed a new wax motor and works perfectly now, machine was clearly never used very much it was in mint condition and I redid the exterior paint with my own colors and took advantage of the color reversible panel. Love these machines, it’ll definitely last another good while for you. I will never get rid of mine it’s staying with me for the rest of my life. These are dishwashing icons that should never see the dump for any reason! Happy powercleaning!!

 

[DADoES]

 
Regular liquid chlorine bleach does not (should not) cause sudsing.  The scented and/or splashless formulations that are labeled for whitening instead of specifically for sanitizing may cause sudsing.

 

[akronman]

Working Perfectly

I got the door limit switch installed, this portable works perfectly. My godson is remodeling and bought some new stainless steel DW, so this late 70's machine is now mine. My 82 Kitchen Aid 19 series is a built-in but its second set of racks is near death, so I'll soon install this WP as a built-in instead. Anyone know of problems in advance to convert this?

 

[combo52]

Installing a 70s whirlpool convertible dishwasher

It’s pretty straightforward but you leave the cabinet on the machine. you remove the top and the wheels as usual then you end up drilling holes through the sides of the cabinet to run water, lines, electric, etc. in most cases

Leaving the cabinet on actually makes it a little bit bigger machine, so if the spaces tight for your existing built-in, it may not fit check it out carefully.

John

 

[seedub]

Reply #36

I also would love a video of this beauty in operation.

 

[akronman]

building it in

John, you are totally correct, the cabinet is the complete support to the machine! I'm gonna rethink this, I have other built-ins to replace the KDS-19 once the racks rust out.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

pump operation

I have a feeling that this dishwasher operates the pump while filling.

 

[akronman]

yes

Yes, the pump starts barely seconds after the water valve opens.