Bosch SHU6805UC/U12

[offthegrid]

I have a 4 year old Bosch dishwasher (after almost thirty with a kitchen aid) and its starting to give problems. I was hoping for some feedback.

The cycles never stop running, the detergent draw does not open on its own and the display reads 2H.

I ran a diagnostic, the lights flash (never stop) and the last digit to come up is a one. Since the lights never stop flashing I question the feedback from that although I believe that says the aquasensor is bad, with all the multiple things to me it would seem to indicate something bigger.

Help.

btw this is a great resource.

[vinpao]

I have the same model and almost the same issue; when I run the diagnostic though, I don't get the number 1: my machine shows 0 and just keeps running. That means - if I'm not mistaken - that something is probably wrong with the flow switch. Could it be that in your case you have BOTH a faulty Sensotronic and a flow switch issue?

I'm sorry for not being any more helpful, but I'm halfway through learning how to troubleshoot a Bosch myself and I'd be interested to know what you've found out about yours.

[offthegrid]

Since posting, the unit ran a short cycle completely as it should and shut off as it should. I was about to take it apart when I found that it has torx/star head screws. Still 2H on the full cycle.

I may be completely off base but I was wondering if the control module connections ever get coated with lime or calcium to the point where they aren't getting/sending signals properly. I was going to start by just reseating it.

I'd like to purchase a manual before breaking it down more completely.

Sensotronic is that what I have seen referred to as 'aquasensor'?

[vinpao]

my full cycle now starts at 2H, goes down to 1 minute and keeps running. When I open and close it, it goes back to something around 30 minutes.

The only support I could find so far is the mrfixit quick troubleshooting reference http://www.fixitnow.com/wp/2005/10/12/bosch-dishwasher-diagnostic-procedures-dishwasher-repair/
that I guess is also what you have and according to it, I should have a flow switch problem.

This guy

http://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/archive/index.php/t-5592.html

says that his flow switch was loose, and I wonder how difficult it might be to get to it.

Where would you get a repair manual?

P.S. Yes, I was using sensotronic for aquasensor.

[offthegrid]

"Where would you get a repair manual?"

All I know on that right now is that Bosch won't sell me one.

I've only had the machine for 4 years. It replaced a kitchen aid that went almost 30 years before major problems.

[vinpao]

I tried to get one and couldn't find any.
We "inherited" the dishwasher when we bought the house and it seems quite new.

This could also be our issue:

http://fixitnow.com/wp/2006/06/09/bosch-dishwasher-takes-forever-to-complete-a-cycle/

[vinpao]

Maybe this can help you: last night I finally decided to give it a try and, after a thorough research on internet, I opened up the dishwasher.
The issue, despite the diagnostics report of a likely flow switch, was the burnt solder joint reported in the last link I posted. Clear and visible. It seems to be an extremely common issue with the circuit boards of these machines.

After another quick search on internet on how to solder, I put my new soldering tool to work: a bit of a sloppy job, but good enough to fix the problem. The machine now runs absolutely fine (till next break-down, I guess).

I'm reporting this because - despite the "symptoms" and the diagnostic report - your issue is probably the same as mine and many other Bosch users out there (it's by far the most common trouble for Bosch dishwashers I found on any forum).

A few tips from my experience (indeed these German dishwashers can be a bit complicated): I unscrewed the hex screws for the bottom panel first, the bottom "shield" popped out and two semi-transparent plastic blocks that hold the bottom of the panel, then I unscrewed the top (i.e. the control panel with the buttons); disconnected the wires and opened the circuit box, fairly straightforward stuff. The biggest challenge has been to reassemble the fron panel: first the plastic blocks have to fit into the door hinges, then bottom shield and top control panel have to be put together (the bottom one fits into the top one) and last you push the panel "ensemble" against door and plastic blocks and screw everything back together.

Also, you might need a few washing cycles before the circuit board resets and starts to work fine.