When my Frigidaire dishwasher (Model FDB636) has gone through all of
the cycles and shuts off, the dishes are not clean and the detergent
is only damp.

I've turned the control knob through each of the cycles. The motor
runs through the various cycles but, in the "fill" cycles, I can
barely hear water entering the tub. (During the "drain" cycles, any
water in the tub is being pumped out).

During the "fill" cycles, when I open the door, I notice water just
trickling into the tub through an opening on the left wall of the tub
(above the Overfill Protector).

Shouldn't that flow be stronger so the water would dissolve the
detergent and get pumped throught the spray arms onto the dishes?

P.S.: The owner's manual shows a "nozzle and upper spray" on the top
of the tub. Should water be pumping through that nozzle, too?

I'd guess you need a new solenoid valve (the electric valve that lets
the water in) or there is a clog there somewhere. In some washers,
the valve stays open for a set period of time so there's no way
for the washer to know if there is enough water in there. Others
have a sensor that detects the water so the valve doesn't shut
off until the level is adequate. You may have the former type.



On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 10:05:17 -0700, gary
wrote:

When my Frigidaire dishwasher (Model FDB636) has gone through all of
the cycles and shuts off, the dishes are not clean and the detergent
is only damp.

I've turned the control knob through each of the cycles. The motor
runs through the various cycles but, in the "fill" cycles, I can
barely hear water entering the tub. (During the "drain" cycles, any
water in the tub is being pumped out).

During the "fill" cycles, when I open the door, I notice water just
trickling into the tub through an opening on the left wall of the tub
(above the Overfill Protector).

Shouldn't that flow be stronger so the water would dissolve the
detergent and get pumped throught the spray arms onto the dishes?

P.S.: The owner's manual shows a "nozzle and upper spray" on the top
of the tub. Should water be pumping through that nozzle, too?

Hi Frank,

Please describe the route the water travels through my dishwasher:

1. Does the incoming water first mix with the detergent, then flows
through the self-cleaning filter and gets pumped up into the lower
spray arm?

2. Does some of the water get pumped up through the funnel and into
the middle spray arm?

3. Does any water get pumped though the nozzle at the top of the tub
and out of the upper spray?

Thanks,

Gary

Hi Frank,

When you say "new solenoid valve", do you really mean "new water
valve"?


Also, can you describe the route the water travels through my
dishwasher:

1. Does the incoming water first mix with the detergent, then flows
through the self-cleaning filter and gets pumped up into the lower
spray arm?

2. Does some of the water get pumped up through the funnel and into
the middle spray arm?

3. Does any water get pumped though the nozzle at the top of the tub
and out of the upper spray?


Thanks,

Gary

Hi Gary-
As I am unfamiliar with your model and the more recent
technologies, I hope I am not misleading you.
The solenoid valve is the "water" valve.
Here's what I think is happening. The water flows into
the tub and the pump then picks it up and sprays it around.
If there is insufficient water getting into the washer, the pump
won't pick up enough (or any.) NOW the pump could be
bad as well. (Didn't mentiion this because you seemed to
think the tub inflow was inadequate.) Under this condition
the dishes won't get clean because the pump doesn't
spray with adequate force. This is quite common.
Sorry, can't describe the way the water routes because
I don't know the model, but at some time all the spray
arms get water.
Hope this helps some. You may need a professional to
further diagnose your problem. But it's either the pump or
the solenoid valve or a clog in a line somewhere.
Frank







On Sat, 27 Oct 2007 10:47:51 -0700, gary
wrote:

Hi Frank,

When you say "new solenoid valve", do you really mean "new water
valve"?


Also, can you describe the route the water travels through my
dishwasher:

1. Does the incoming water first mix with the detergent, then flows
through the self-cleaning filter and gets pumped up into the lower
spray arm?

2. Does some of the water get pumped up through the funnel and into
the middle spray arm?

3. Does any water get pumped though the nozzle at the top of the tub
and out of the upper spray?


Thanks,

Gary

gary wrote:

When my Frigidaire dishwasher (Model FDB636) has gone through all of
the cycles and shuts off, the dishes are not clean and the detergent
is only damp.

I've turned the control knob through each of the cycles. The motor
runs through the various cycles but, in the "fill" cycles, I can
barely hear water entering the tub. (During the "drain" cycles, any
water in the tub is being pumped out).

During the "fill" cycles, when I open the door, I notice water just
trickling into the tub through an opening on the left wall of the tub
(above the Overfill Protector).

Shouldn't that flow be stronger so the water would dissolve the
detergent and get pumped throught the spray arms onto the dishes?
....
There is often a strainer hose washer right where the supply hose connects
to the water solenoid valve. It could be clogged up with crud
that it kept out of your valve. Check it and clean it and see if
that fixes your problem. Do you have a lot of crud in your water
system? Galvanized iron pipes? Do your faucet aerators plug up?

I turned off the water supply to the house and disconnected the water
supply hose from the water valve on the dishwasher. (The screen was
clean).

I then blew air through the hose that runs from the water valve to the
opening on the left wall of the tub (above the Overfill Protector) but
no crud was in the hose.

I turned the water supply to the house back on and the water flowed at
full strength through the water supply hose.

I then took the water valve to my local appliance parts store and they
tested the continuity of the solenoid. Even though it checked out OK,
I ordered a new water valve - it cost about $20.

Hopefully, a new water valve will solve the weak stream of water going
into the dishwasher tub.

On Oct 27, 11:09?pm, gary wrote:
I turned off the water supply to the house and disconnected the water
supply hose from the water valve on the dishwasher. (The screen was
clean).

I then blew air through the hose that runs from the water valve to the
opening on the left wall of the tub (above the Overfill Protector) but
no crud was in the hose.

I turned the water supply to the house back on and the water flowed at
full strength through the water supply hose.

I then took the water valve to my local appliance parts store and they
tested the continuity of the solenoid. Even though it checked out OK,
I ordered a new water valve - it cost about $20.

Hopefully, a new water valve will solve the weak stream of water going
into the dishwasher tub.

dump pan of water in dishwasher at begining of cycle to see if it
cleans better

If dumping a pan of water in dishwasher at beginning of the cycle
cleans better, what does that indicate is wrong?

On Oct 27, 10:49?pm, gary wrote:
If dumping a pan of water in dishwasher at beginning of the cycle
cleans better, what does that indicate is wrong?

not enough water is entering at beginning.

plus its a quick fix to wash your dishes.

plus lets say you add water and they still dont clean?

this could indicate the drain line is too low and water is siphoning
out of machine while its washing.

or the pump is somehow clogged or spray system clogged preventing good
cleaning........

add pan of water a lot. if you add too much the machine should
automatically pump out the excess....

run machine open FAST! is spray arm turning? good spray? check both
arms!!

On Oct 27, 10:49?pm, gary wrote:
If dumping a pan of water in dishwasher at beginning of the cycle
cleans better, what does that indicate is wrong?

if dumping works then your solenoid valve is probably the trouble