I have a KitchenAid Kudm01tj, about 9 years old.

The back of the chopper assembly, where it engages with the motor shaft, had worn down so that the chopper wasn't spinning, and food kept getting stuck and blocking the flow (I'd clean it out and put it back in, and within a month or so it would be clogged again). I replaced it with a new chopper assembly and by spinning it with my finger was able to tell it was engaging the shaft.

Having seen some threads here about the flapper valve, I also pulled it out and, since it looked like it was intact, stuck it back in (I think I put it in the same way).

Now when I run the dishwasher, I can hear the chopper going, but it just keeps going. I figured, well, maybe it has a lot of catching up to do (though I had tried to clean out all the food particles where I could find them), so I let it keep going for awhile. After 10-15 minutes of it still going, I was afraid I'd wear down the new chopper, so finally stopped it.

1. If I didn't put the flapper valve back in right, could that cause this kind of symptom? How should I have put it back in?

2. Is there something else that would cause the chopper to keep engaging? Does it go on based on water flow?

3. Should I try letting it go longer?

Thanks for any help!

-Chuck

Hi Chuck,

The flapper valve just pushes back in place.

Its likely your motor is causing this issue. Been seeing alot of the motor impellers strip and causing the lack of water pressure and causing what yours is doing.

Start reading at Page#20 here:
https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/52521bdbd0ef763c85256cbc00520548/$FILE/8178022.pdf

It will show you how to remove the pump and sump assembly, then the motor assembly.

Complete motor assembly which Includes volute, shaft seal, and impeller.
Manufacturer's Number: 8534942

8534942

Or you can get the sump/motor assembly, with the motor already installed, its abit more expensive though:
The manufacturer has replaced part number 8268422 with this item, part number W10239405. Manufacturer part number W10239405 is RepairClinic item number 1515006.


Jake

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Thanks for the response, Jake! Hope you don't mind a couple of followups...

When you say the impeller strips, do you mean it slips on the shaft, so that it's not turning as fast as the shaft is?

And if this can lead to the symptom I have, does that mean the chopper is "turned on" based on how much water flow or pressure it senses? If so, how does it sense this? I'd just like to try to confirm that it's a stripped impeller before ordering a whole new motor.

Thanks again!

-Chuck

Yes Chuck, the motor impeller strips on the motor shaft and also the plastic part that connects to your chopper assembly strips as well.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances