DIYbanter - View Single Post

Baron[_4_]

prodded the keyboard with:

On Monday, June 29, 2015 at 12:30:02 PM UTC-4,
wrote:
I have an old Kenmore model 665.1661591 (made by whirlpool)
dishwasher that has been acting up for several weeks now. This is
an old mechanical timer type of machine with no electronics.

The problems started when I'd load it up, close the door, turn the
knob to wash, and at that point you would hear the fill valve
solenoid activate, (buzzing noise, the machine would fill, and
instead of the motor then running as well, there would be a hum for
about 2 seconds followed by what sounded like a "Klixon" overload
tripping. After about 40 seconds or so this was followed by another
click, (the overload resetting I'm assuming), and then you could
repeat the sequence again. The motor however would never turn.

I remover the bottom sprayer and the top of the pump and found that
the impeller was jammed. I would have removed the impeller at this
point to investigate further but I wasn't able to do that without
removing the motor. I don't know what was in there but turning the
impeller by hand produced a scraping noise, until whatever was in
there was finally driven out. At this point I proceeded very
carefully. I closed the door, and made sure that the motor would
run, and then opened it and ascertained that there was no longer
any obstruction. I then replaced the top of the pump, closed the
door, set the timer to wash and then the motor started up and the
unit ran a normal wash cycle.

Over the next few weeks this problem repeated two more times. In
each instance I was able to again remove the top of the pump and
get the stuck impeller freed and "fix" the problem. Seeing as how
I'd never found a reason for the gritty stuff that was doing this I
just figured that this was grainy soap powder that was collecting
in between the impeller and the bottom of the machine and it would
eventually completely work it's way out.

The other day I started the machine, listened as it filled,
confirmed that I then heard the motor run and left it to finish.
When we later opened the door the unit was full of water, the
second soap drawer was open, signifying that the machine went
through a complete cycle, however it was apparent that the motor
had quit somewhere in between.

Now when I try to run it there is an arcing type of noise coming
from somewhere in the machine, accompanied by the room lights
flickering for a couple of seconds, and then what sounds like the
Klixon tripping out again. I should mention as well that throughout
all of this I've never smelled anything burning, which is hopefully
a good thing.

Perhaps this is wishful thinking but what is the chance that the
overload has been repeatedly stressed to the point where it has now
failed? I realize that it could also be an arcing door switch or a
timer contact as well.

These things always had a little service manual for the repair man
in a pouch inside the door. I know that originally it did have one
because I used it many years ago to diagnose a bad door switch,
however I looked for it but it's missing. Does anyone have any
ideas, tips or access to a service manual for this unit by any
chance? I had forgotten how much washing dishes by hand really
sucks... Thanks, Lenny

I thought these were induction motors. I didn't think about brushes.
From the ones I've seen at the dump they don't seem to be rated very
high in HP. The motor in mine from what I can recall seemed to have
about a million wires on it. No, draining is no problem, when it
drains that is.. I did also read something about that drain clog
issue on another site but I don't think that's a problem here.
That's good idea about turning off the lights Jeff. I'll try that
tonight. Lenny

If there was still water in the machine when you opened the door the
drain pump was not functioning !

--
Best Regards:
Baron.