Kenmore Model number 66516912001

This will take a bit of explanation:

1. The dishwasher was not getting the dishes clean.

2. I measured heater resistance - heater was dead.

3. I replaced the heater. Case closed, I thought- but dishes were still not clean.

4. With voltmeter, I can see that heater is getting voltage and working. Trouble found: The water does not fill enough during the fill cycle to trigger the "full" sensor (the float). The heater is not in good contact with the water because water is not high enough. I suppose this is why the first heater died - it got too hot and burned out, because it was in poor contact with the water.

5. I disconnected the supply line at the fill valve and ran it into the sink. There is good pressure there. I checked for blockages in the line from the fill valve to the dishwasher tub. No problem.

6. I energized the solenoid, and water flows out at what seems like a reasonable speed, but I guess it isn't enough to fill in time. On the timing sheet it looks like the machine goes on to the next cycle after 1 min, 35 seconds, whether or not the float switch has switched. If I blow into the fill valve when energized, I can get some air through, but it isn't a lot. If the fill valve is not energized, then I cannot blow anything through at all - as expected.

Question: How much resistance should I expect from the fill valve when blowing through it? What else can I do to correct/define the problem? Do I need to replace the fill valve? Is there any way to lengthen the water fill time? I think that another minute would be enough - it's not like it is very far from being full enough.

Hi, I have had many of these dishwashers do exactly what your saying, Not cleaning the dishes, Your water pressure seems fine, and none of these dishwashers are designed to fill up over the heater, thats not the problem, The problem i find on these is the Check Valve and the Chopper in the Pump is bad, If you check my blog, you will see many entries where i have fixed this same design dishwasher.

http://www.applianceblog.com/archive...er_chop_1.html

Check Valve Part#8268375




Chopper Part#8268383


http://www.applianceblog.com/archive...02_kitche.html

Model#KUDR01TJBL0 : Not cleaning/washing well, Found check valve bad, part#8268375, replaced, worked great.

http://www.applianceblog.com/archive...n_aid_dis.html

Model#KUDS01DJBL1 : Not cleaning the dishes well, Found Check valve bad, replaced, worked great.

Check Valve Part#8268375

http://www.applianceblog.com/archive...ay_sept16.html

2004 Kenmore Dishwasher(Whirlpool built): Smell oder, not cleaning dishes well, Found check valve in pump bad, replaced, worked great.

http://www.applianceblog.com/archive...aturday_1.html

Customer was complaining of dishes not getting as clean. Installed new check valve and chopper blade assembly in sump(pump). Chopper was broken. The check valve is the small rubber flapper in sump(pump) that can stick and not allow proper water flow to spray arms. Replaced both, worked great.

The Kitchen Aid and Whirlpool uses that exact same Check Valve and Chopper.

Here is a bulletin on this issue as well, all the Kenmore 665. models are made by Whirlpool:
http://adcxns1.whirlpool.com/Service...LE/8178191.PDF

Its says you need to order a new middle spray arm Part#8269024



Hope that helps.

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

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jgaines wrote:
The float and float switch are just safety devices to prevent overfilling and flooding. Under normal operation they should NEVER be activated.

As Jake already said, it isn't suppose to be.

JFYI

Dan O.
Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

Thank you very much! I looked at the chopper in the past and did not see any problems there, except that a button was trapped on the screen. I removed the button long ago. I will have a look at the check valve. I have let the dishwasher start up and then opened the door and seen that water was spraying out of the arms, but maybe the pressure is too low because of the check valve not working right(?).

Hi Jgaines,

Its most likey the check valve , that controls the water flow pressure.

Heres a series of pictures:









The check valve is just to the right of this chopper(just out of the right side picture) Pull the Black rubber check valve up with a screwdriver, then install a new one, i bet you will see it works well after that.

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

Nice pics!

I also learned something!

jeff.

__________________
http://www.applianceaid.com/
Appliance Repair Aid
http://www.jrappliance.ca
JRAppliance

Thanks Jeff.

__________________
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

__________________
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

Hi, I have Kenmore Elite 665.16462300.

I am am trying to find a repalcement flapper valve that lives in the feed tube assembly shown in your second photo. The check valve is supposed to be opened by teh upper spray arm probe.

In my case, one check valve is always flapped open and so hardly any water goes up and out the upper spray arm. So far, onl y the $45 complete feed tube assembly is offered by Sears or other common parts sources.

My glasses were sparkling clean for 10 months or so, and now"we" have to clean them by hand (just passed a year on installation). I say "we" meaning my wife actually finally complained to me and I took apart the feed tube, checked the grinders and screens and then found your Blog.

Many Thanks for help sourcing the part. Rob

rc-b wrote:
Click on the picture of the flapper valve (shown on a grid background) above. It will take you to a site where it can be purchased.

JFYI

Dan O.
Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~