I just pulled my SHU3006UC out of my sister's non-climate controlled shed after a stay of about 8 years. Other than a slight musty smell when I opened the door, the unit appeared to have survived the experience. When I got it home and temporarily made power and water hookups, I found the following problem: when I turn it on, the unit just sits and hums to itself and the timer does not advance beyond the cycle start position. I'm guessing that either the fill valve or the float is part of the problem. I've located the fill valve, but not the float. Given the price, I'd prefer to replace or fix the float. Can you tell me where the float is so that I can check its operation? Or ... do you have any other suggestions.

Thanks
Christie

Hi,

Missing a few digits.

Motors and pump may be locked/seized up from sitting.

Need to diagnose and/or check.

Float assembly is behind the fill valve.

Water level control assembly


Float pad

No pic.
Float shaft

jeff.

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Thanks, Jeff, for replying so quickly. I guess I misspoke when I said the unit just hums ... it definitely sounds like a motor/pump is running rather than the sound an electric motor makes when it has seized. If the motor was seized, wouldn't it have drawn enough electricity to trip the breaker? Can I test the motor/pump to see if it is seized? What diagnostic procedures do I follow to test the fill valve and/or the float?

Thank you,

Christie

There are 2 motor and pumps, one drain and one wash. Either -could- dry up and stick.

Nope, not normally.

Yes.
If runs it should be ok. If just sitting there hummmming, might need to access the impellor and manually turn it.

Only would need to be done if no power to the fill valve ( tested with volt meter ) and the drain pump is running all fo the time.
Mice can eat the wires or chew the float disc, water in the base will trip the float, could be physically stuck up.

jeff.

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Hi Jeff,

Is there a service manual available for my machine? I would like to fix it myself. I located the float by the way, but how on Earth do you get to it? There is power getting to the fill valve. When my machine first starts, does the drain pump activate to void the machine of water? That's what it sounds like its trying to do, but I'm not sure. The timer does turn, but it gets stuck after what sounds like what might be the initial drain pump purge. If I manually turn the timer past that point, it will turn on its own.

Thanks

Christie

Additional information:
The drain pump and motor definitely work. I put two coffee pots of water in the machine and started the cycle ... the first thing it did was drain the water.

None that I am aware of.

Many/most times the d/w has to be pulled out.

If the fill valve is getting power and the incomming water is ok, the fill valve would be suspect of being bad.

Water valve assy

Most of these do not but you would have to read your use&care manaul to see about yours.

jeff.

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Hi Jeff,

I made temporary hookups to the machine when my husband got it in the kitchen. I haven't installed it under the cabinet yet, so the whole machine is accessible. I'd appreciate your help isolating the problem with my machine so that I can get it fixed, installed, and in use. I don't know if you are the one that operates the parts site that seems to be associated with your site, but I am MORE than willing to buy my parts from you. My husband is a little irked that I am working on the dishwasher in the first place instead of calling a service tech, but I want the satisfaction of doing it myself. Please help me isolate the part that needs to be replaced.

Thanks

Christie

initial run of dishwasher upon normal start up is: drain pumps for about a minute; water valve opens and fills til float diaphram senses full- occasionally opening and closing to top off water; when almost full of water, wash pump starts washing- THIS IS YOUR PROBLEM- you have the famous stuck wash motor. there is two ways (three if you get new one) to unstick the motor; easy way- locate wash motor inlet opening in bottom of dishwasher sump under screens(right side), get an 8mm six point socket and stick it on a screwdriver style handle(1/4in drive, with matching 8mm six point socket), stick tool into hole centered and you might get it onto impeller head(has 6 point 8mm PLASTIC nut molded into head), fish around until you get it on then try turning back and forth til breaks free- should be able to spin freely/easily with little effort. if can't free after minimal effort- STOP. PART TWO- next step is to get full size tooth brush, cut off bristles, heat narrow neck below bristle area with lighter and flex head of brush 90* sideways- TURN OFF DISHWASHER AND DISCONNECT FROM POWER . on right side behind toe kick is wash pump motor, facing right side is back of pump with metal fins- from front of dishwasher insert toothbrush under avoiding electricals and tuck into wash motor rear between fins stopping motor from turning (try not to bend fins). hold toothbrush there, open dishwasher and stick socket back on pump head and turn socket counterclockwise for at least 2 complete revolutions of tool(unscrewing impeller head some). REMOVE toothbrush, socket tool, plug in, turn on water and start. motor should bust free and start washing within 5 minutes- if not need to seperate impeller by dismantling wash motor and removing white cover, unscrewing impeller and seperating ceramic washer thats stuck on seal(looks like a certs mint). reassemble and if was stuck to seal- guaratee works now. when water in sump dries out, it causes stuck wash motor- need to run every couple weeks or will reoccur

You still need to diagnose what is and is not happening. So far...
- when I turn it on, the unit just sits and hums to itself and the timer does not advance beyond the cycle start position.
- There is power getting to the fill valve. ( does the d/w fill with water? )
- The timer does turn, but it gets stuck after what sounds like what might be the initial drain pump purge. If I manually turn the timer past that point, it will turn on its own.
- The drain pump and motor definitely work. I put two coffee pots of water in the machine and started the cycle ... the first thing it did was drain the water. ( and then what occured.......? )

Like ivoidwarranties is talking about, I have mentioned there are 2 motor and pump assemblies....one for draining and one for washing. Washing one working?
Too much guessing and not enough what is or is not happening/occuring.

jeff.

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