FIXED KDTM354ESS0 Intermittent circulation and now leaking at diverter

[v8power]

Model Number

KDTM354ESS0

Brand

KitchenAid

Age

6-10 years

The dishwasher has been circulating water strongly then weakly every few seconds. Yesterday, it worsened to hear the motor running with no circulation for a minute or more (then would circulate again).

In running it multiple times today to diagnose, I noticed water on the floor. I diagnosed a leak from around the diverter shaft.

I verified the pump filter is still good (I already replaced sump&pump to fix a broken filter a few years ago).

Two questions:

1) Would a bad diverter motor cause strong then weak circulation every few seconds?

2) If yes to #1, would replacing the diverter motor likely fix the leak (i.e. most likely don't need new grommet/sump because higher water pressure in the area just forced out some water)?

Thank you!

 

[v8power]

I saw error code 9-1 and found the diverter wasn't working. I took it apart and soldered another button on the pcb board, and it's working, again. I added some plumbers tape as others have done around the shaft to help prevent the leak (I also had error code 6-1).

I'm still unsure about the sound of weak circulation. After my fix I reproduced it on the Rinse cycle with no dishes (sounds like pump slows down - either that or it was sucking air). But, the circulation sounds strong on Express with dishes. I'm going to do some more investigation.

 

[Jake]

I saw error code 9-1 and found the diverter wasn't working. I took it apart and soldered another button on the pcb board, and it's working, again.

I don't understand how that fixed it.

Usually you have to replace the diverter motor to fix it permanently.

Here's the diverter motor for your model:
W10537869 Motor

I'm still unsure about the sound of weak circulation. After my fix I reproduced it on the Rinse cycle with no dishes (sounds like pump slows down - either that or it was sucking air). But, the circulation sounds strong on Express with dishes. I'm going to do some more investigation.

On these models there has been a problem with the pump filter breaking and jamming up the wash motor, or the wash motor just starting to go bad and making that sucking air sound.

I'd check the pump filter first.

Mike took lots of photos and documented them here:

FIXED - KDTM354ESS3 KitchenAid Dishwasher - Motor is buzzing

I'm not sure if anyone is still having issues with this, but it's basically a 100$ fix (CAD)... or at least it was for me... if the motor is buzzing it likely means that it is TRYING to spin but it's jammed. ... I opened up my dishwasher and found the filter inside the main pump had blown...

www.applianceblog.com

Here's that pump filter you can order, if needed:
Pump Filter W11084156


If not in-stock at RepairClinic, It's also here: W11084156

Here's the wash motor for your model, if needed:
Circulation Pump W10902589


If not in-stock at RepairClinic, its also here: Circulation Pump W10902589

Here's the video:

Let us know what you find.

 

[v8power]

I don't understand how that fixed it.

Here's a good video on the break down of the diverter motor:

My diverter motor was good (turned just fine when I applied 120V AC). It was the sensor inside that detected its position that was bad. So, the machine kept turning the diverter during each cycle because it wasn't sensing it turn.

The sensor is just a button, and it appears the computer determines the diverter's position based upon the time it takes between clicks (each click is a different distance). Replacing that button did the trick!

I'd check the pump filter first.

Thanks - I did. I replaced the whole sump/pump assembly a few years back exactly for this.

Let us know what you find.

It appears the diverter just recently failed and I conflated it with the other similar issue (not hearing good water circulation), which I have now diagnosed. The pump is sucking air when the top rack is being cleaned (makes sense since extra water is needed to reach the upper rack compared to lower). Manually adding 1-2 cups of water fixes the problem.

What do you recommend for a machine adding too little water?

Thank you!

 

[Jake]

My diverter motor was good (turned just fine when I applied 120V AC). It was the sensor inside that detected its position that was bad. So, the machine kept turning the diverter during each cycle because it wasn't sensing it turn.

The sensor is just a button, and it appears the computer determines the diverter's position based upon the time it takes between clicks (each click is a different distance). Replacing that button did the trick!

Got it! Thanks for clarifying that.

What do you recommend for a machine adding too little water?

So little to no water is going into the tub when you start a new cycle?

If you put your hand on the water inlet valve do you feel it vibrating? I just want to make sure that vibrating sound is the water inlet valve, and not the wash motor vibrating and not running when it should be spraying water in the tub after it fills.

--->Turn the water supply off to the dishwasher underneath your sink, then take off the water line that connects to your water inlet valve and see if your screen is clogged up, thus not letting enough water come in the dishwasher.

Here's the water inlet valve for your model:
Water Inlet Valve W11175771


There is a video in that part link that shows you how to access the water inlet valve, see the water inlet valve screen in the photo above?

Jake

 

[v8power]

So little to no water is going into the tub when you start a new cycle?

Yes - not enough water was entering the tub for the circulating pump to pump only water (i.e. it was pulling in air, too).

I took a look at my water inlet valve per your suggestion. The screen was sparkling clean. I decided to remove the screen to see how the part worked, which revealed a rubber washer that completely covered the inlet gaps.

Now:

1) My circulating pump is SUPER quiet - for both upper and lower racks. No more air sucking sound - 100% water instead of partial water/air.
2) In at least one case so far, the machine can now clean something it was not able to clean before.

I'm impressed.

 

[Jake]

Good job finding that problem and fixing it.

Thanks for the update!