Thread: [FIXED] Kenmore Elite dishes on top rack not washing properly - top spray arm not spinning

The one hole in the photo is open because thats where the middle spray arm manifold goes into when you push your upper back inside the dishwasher.

It more likely an issue with either the chopper screen blade broken or the motor.

Here's the repair manual for your model:
http://www.applianceblog.com/manuals/pointvoy8178022.pdf

Page 17 Read 1-4 where it says this:

SERVICING COMPONENTS INSIDE THE WASH TUB
Removing the Inner Feed Tube and
Lower Spray Arm

Then on Page 21 it starts to get into detail of how to access the rest where it says this:
Accessing Components of the Sump Assembly

It shows how to get access to the chopper screen.

Chopper Part#8268383

Here's the wash motor assembly:
Manufacturer's Number: 8534942

Here's the sump/wash motor assembly for your model you can order:

Manufacturer's Number: W10237169


Let us know what you find.

Jake

Thanks Jake - before I head down this road, I noticed the top spray (not the arm, but the ciruclar plastic spray at the very top of the unit) doesn't seem to be letting water go either. It's so hard to diagnose what the problem is. All I know is that the top dishes appear as they went in (plus a bit of condensation.) But the bottom dishes are clean.

1) How likely is it that the solution you have proposed is the root of the problem? I belive your solution involves me removing the motor in the bottom - but all the bottom dishes seem to be clean and the arm on the bottom seems to be operating a-ok. I'm not sure if the motor on the bottom is the problem.
2) How easy of a fix is this? I'm not terribly handy, but think I can generally hold my own. Should I call someone instead?

Cheers Jake.

You just have to be patient and read the repair manual instructions, its not an easy job, so if you don't feel confident in checking parts out, then by all means call an appliance repair shop.

Jake

Jake, I called a local repairman and he said for a 3 year old dishwasher, it sounds like the filter is clogged not allowing water to make it up to the top shelf. Is this possible, and if so, where is the filter on this unit? I don't see anything about a filter written in the repair manual?? Cheers!

No, you just have the accumulator#1 here:
http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_pn...2060-00008.png

But I never see that clog up.

Jake

Have you checked your water inlet valve? I had a similar problem. The dishes on the top wouldn't get clean and it seemed as though the top rack wasn't spinning.

You have to go underneath and take apart the inlet valve. Mine was full of sediments from water and from the pipes. It's a little tricky because it was a small space, but the difference was amazing afterwards!

Originally Posted by Mrknowitall526

Have you checked your water inlet valve? I had a similar problem. The dishes on the top wouldn't get clean and it seemed as though the top rack wasn't spinning.

You have to go underneath and take apart the inlet valve. Mine was full of sediments from water and from the pipes. It's a little tricky because it was a small space, but the difference was amazing afterwards!

That's exactly what it was...once I took apart the inlet valve that was clogged with sediments from our dishes including a chicken wing bone, now everything works great.

Cheers to everyone here!

Wait, It was the inlet water valve? That supplies water into your dishwasher? How in the heck could a chicken bone get in there??? That water supply line comes from your city water department, if they have chicken bones in the water supply line, thats not good.

Or did you find the chicken bone in the chopper screen blade area, they would be the most likely place to find one.

Well, at any rate, glad that fixed it.

Jake

Originally Posted by Jake

Wait, It was the inlet water valve? That supplies water into your dishwasher? How in the heck could a chicken bone get in there??? That water supply line comes from your city water department, if they have chicken bones in the water supply line, thats not good.

Or did you find the chicken bone in the chopper screen blade area, they would be the most likely place to find one.

Well, at any rate, glad that fixed it.

Jake

Yep - apologies...it was in the chopper screen blade area. THAT was definitely the problem...