FIXED GDF530PGM3WW User interface non-operative

[MechDad03]

Model Number

GDF530PGM3WW

Brand

GE

Age

1-5 years

Hey friends, I have a GDF530PGM3WW that is giving us intermittent dead User Interface. Sometimes, it gives us no beeps when the buttons are pressed, no lights at all. Sometimes, (usually after a power cycle) it works fine. Through the awesome info I found here, I have done some testing and concluded that the UI is bad.

Here's my diagnostic data: power at outlet is good, power at machine junction box is good, green led on the main control board is always flashing when the machine is plugged in, always get 13.3ish VDC out of main control board Orange/Blue and Yellow/Red wires to UI board, tested each wire in the harness from the main control board to the UI board and continuity was good (even when jiggled/manipulated) with no breaks or frays noted. These conditions are true whether UI board is functioning or not. There does not seem to be a pattern as to when it stops working (sometimes it stops mid-cycle, most times it completes the cycle when it's working), when the UI stops working, the machine stops working.

I replaced the UI board and got nothing. While I had it apart, I plugged the boards in back and forth and the old would work, and the new one would not. The new one never showed signs of life. The seller refunded me, but I'm wondering how often these are bad out of the box? I've also seen some scenarios on this forum where the "right" UI is not the right UI. The part number I ordered was WD21X31909. The boards looked exactly the same, but the part number stickers showed different numbers from the original part number and from each other. My question is: Is it worth it try and order another board?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Steve in Maine

 

[Jake]

Hi Steve,

Yes, the UI Board you received is possibly defective. Contact the place you got it from and they should send you another new one for free.

Here's the UI Board for your model: Configured Ui Board WD21X31909

 

[MechDad03]

Hi Jake,
Thanks for the confirmation, I'll let you all know how it goes!
Steve

 

[Jake]

Ok Steve, sounds good.

 

[MechDad03]

So, I've installed a 2nd board with the same part number, and again, no luck. The original board works sometimes, the new boards work never.
I talked to the appliance store we purchased it from, and to even get a service technician here, plus parts, would quickly outpace the cost of a new machine.
I did get a good customer service number for GE, so I'll be trying them tomorrow.

In the meantime, I picked up another dishwasher for free (GDF630PSM3SS) thinking the parts would be similar enough to steal the board, but they are not. The UI board and Main board are both different part numbers from my machine. Also, the description on this new one was "door switch issue", but while picking it up and asking a few questions, it sounds more like a UI board issue. Since it would basically require installing it to diagnose it, picking it up now seems like a waste of time.

 

[MechDad03]

I had a very nice conversation with a parts rep from GE today, and he said 1) I definitely have the right part number, 2) the boards are back-ordered through March 15th from GE, 3) The reason my new boards may not be working is that the software may need to be updated.
The date of manufacture for the 2nd board (labeled as OEM GE) I bought is 11/22/22, you'd think it would have the latest software...

Unfortunately? my machine is not one of the wifi-enabled machines, so I don't have a proper way to update it. I can see the ethernet port...it's just sitting there, waiting for me to find a way to hack in, lol.

If anyone has found a way to do a DIY update, I'm all ears! As of now it looks like I could either keep trying boards or pay a tech to update it. Thanks for the help here!

 

[Jake]

Ok, I understand now, Thanks for clarifying that.

If anyone has found a way to do a DIY update, I'm all ears! As of now it looks like I could either keep trying boards or pay a tech to update it. Thanks for the help here!

Yes, Hopefully another tech. or member that's seen and fixed this UPDATE problem can shed some light on it for us.

Other than that, yes you can contact a AUTHORIZED GE TECH at 1-800-432-2737 to come out to update that board's ethernet port with his GE LAPTOP UPDATE TOOL. Or just keep waiting for it to come off back-order.

 

[MechDad03]

I want to say thanks to Jake and this awesome forum. At the very least it's helped me to not chase my tail.
We've still been using the dishwasher, as the UI board would work most of the time, especially with it outside of the machine (yep, bit of a redneck here).
This morning the dog bumped into the board chasing a toy, and now all the lights on the UI board stay lit up, no buttons respond, and the chip on the board is very hot. I'd say it's officially cooked now!
Hoping to find a very low-dollar replacement machine, most likely NOT a GE.
Thanks again everyone!
Steve

 

[Jake]

Glad to help Steve!

 

[MechDad03]

Well, there's a happy ending for me at least. I mentioned that I had picked up a freebie machine (GDF630PSM3SS) off FB marketplace that had a "door switch issue".
Knowing that I was now on the prowl for a new machine, I decided to at least connect this one up and see what was what. When I plugged it in, there was nothing. I checked the main board and found no flashing light. Knowing that the main board from my original machine was good, I felt there was no harm in swapping them, even though I knew the part numbers were officially different. I found that the boards looked exactly alike and that the connectors were all the same, so in it went. To my surprise and delight, the new machine fired right up. It just finished a cycle to wash itself out. Oh, and the door switch seems okay, haha.
Don't try this at home

 

[Jake]

Thanks for letting us know.

Here's the machine control board underneath the dishwasher for your FB freebie model: GDF630PSM3SS: Configured Service Machine Control Board WD21X32165

Here's the machine control board underneath the dishwasher for your model GDF530PGM3WW: Configured Service Machine Control Board WD21X32166

 

[MechDad03]

Final update!
I live in the great state of Maine, and I recently learned that we have a 4-year manufacturer's implied warranty by law. https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/law_guide_article.shtml?id=27922
I called the local appliance shop where we bought the machine and informed them that I would like the original machine repaired under this law, and they politely obliged, free of charge! The technician diagnosed the main board, the UI board and the wiring harness as all suspect. They replaced them, and the machine now works great.
It may be worth checking if your state has a similar law.
Side note: the friend that told me about this law tried to get a washing machine fixed that she purchased from a big box store. They fought her the whole way and she never did get her machine repaired, even though it was only 2 years old.

 

[Jake]

That's great news.

Thanks for letting everyone know that!