I checked the screen and do not see anything stuck in there. The screen
is in tact (no visible damage). I don't know if I should remove the
screen anyway to check -- could food particles clog it enough to keep
the motor from kick starting?


Gideon wrote:
My first thought would be that something is blocking the impeller.
There should be a screen in the sump (plastic bottom) of the machine
interior. Water drains through this and goes to the pump. Sometimes
small items can work their way past this screen and obstruct the
impeller. The screen is plastic and bits of it can break over time,
making some of the small openings larger.

An impeller is the turbine-shaped part of the pump that moves the
water. Examine the plastic screen and look for damage which can
allow objects to get past it. On some models, you may need a mirror
to examine the portions of the screen facing away from you. Or
remove the plastic screen and investigate for small items which
may have slipped through. Sometimes long thin items can get past
a screen which shows little or no damage.

FYI - this can also happen with a cloths washing machine. Sometimes
if you have large loads and you use extremely high water levels for
washing, then objects can get to the water pump. This is somewhat
common if there is something in the laundry which floats (such as bits
of wood or mulch). Then the item can splash over the top of the tub
and get into the water heading to the pump. An impeller moving at
full speed can easily grind up most of the objects which will thwart
it when the motor is attempting to start.

On a washing machine, the pump is easy to access. Take the pump
apart, remove the obstruction, put it back together and you are good
for another 7 years or 70,000 miles. The impeller on my dish-
washer is easy to access, but I'm not certain about all models.

Good luck,
Gideon