Berndawgz
Premium Member
- Model Number
- KDTM404ESS3
- Brand
- KitchenAid
- Age
- 1-5 years
Hello. First, let me thank you for your blog. It has already saved me hours while trying to troubleshoot my unit. Unfortunately, my problem is not solved. I have my suspicions, but am getting conflicting results, so let me tell you my efforts so far...
1) INITIAL SYMPTOM:
Dishes were not clean on either upper or lower racks. It did not appear any water-under-force was making contact with the dishes.
2) SPRAY ARM INSPECTION
Suspecting the Lower Wash Arm (W10860176) I removed it and dis-assembled relevant parts below it, down to removing the white Diffuser Disc (WPW10476221). Upon inspection, all related parts seemed fully intact, functional and not blocked. The sprayer jets did not appear to be blocked. The gearing was not broken and the largest tri-head sprayer moved easily on it's gearing (when detached from the LSA drive pin). I reassembled all, then ran multiple Service Diagnostic Cycles.
3) SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS
Intervals 27 & 26 (Customer Errors 1&2) returned the following:
F6E1 - Water Inlet, Low/no water.
and
F9E4 - Diverter, Lower Spray Arm Error
Intervals 2 & 1 (Service Cycle Diag Errors 1&2) returned only:
F6E1 - Water Inlet, Low/no water (and no corresponding 6-4 or 6-2 errors)
9-4 was not part of the Service Cycle errors - strange.
At this point I once again dis-assembled all related Spray Arm parts down to the Diffuser Disc, and all still looked in order. So I reassembled, cleared the previous customer errors, then ran another System diagnostic. The historical customer errors were gone, but Interval 2 repeated the Service Cycle Error, 6-1. With that in mind, I turned my focus to the Water Inlet Valve.
4) WATER INLET VALVE INSPECTION
I dis-assembled the Water Inlet Valve (W10872255) down to removing the entire valve. All connections had been tight and intact. The filter screen in the valve was completely clean. While disassembled, I independently confirmed strong water pressure up to the point of it's connection to the Water Inlet Valve. I reassembled all.
5) I BEGAN TO DOUBT THE 6-1 ERROR CODE
After reassembling the Water Inlet Valve, I ran a speed wash (customer) cycle, this time with my hand touching the water inlet valve, to feel if it was operating. I also opened the dishwasher immediately after the initial fill. The dishwasher filled with water just fine, to just above the heating element. I've reached the conclusion there are NO problems with the water intake, though I can't explain why I'm still getting the 6-1 Diagnostic error.
Since it was clear my unit was getting water, I tried putting a couple coffee mugs (face-up) on both the lower and upper racks, to see if any of the water was being diverted to the upper rack, which I had not previously tested. No water appears to be circulating. The cups were empty on both upper and lower racks.
6) ERROR 9-4 RETURNS
After having run the customer speed cycle above, I once again ran another Service Diagnostic cycle. The two Customer Error codes re-appeared, including the 9-4 error. But again, only the 6-1 showed up as a SERVICE ERROR, not the 9-4.
7) STATUS
After all the above, it appears water is getting into the dishwasher, but while it's in the tub, it's just sitting there. It's not being distributed by any of the sprayer arms, upper or lower. It's heating and pumping out just fine btw.
8) MYSTERIES
A) The lower Sprayer Arm IS MOVING partially. During a customer cycle, I can open the dishwasher at random points and the lower Sprayer Arm will be in a different position, though no sign that the jets have fired. It is turning but how much I can't tell.
B) If it's a Sprayer Arm problem, why is the 9-4 Error never thrown as a Service Diagnostic error? It only appears as a historical Customer cycle error.
C) Why is the Service Diagnostic throwing the 6-1 Error, despite the unit appearing to fill (and refill) with water throughout all test cycles?
D) My lower Sprayer Arm has three tri-head spinners (W10860176) but I'm uncertain which are supposed to actually spin. The largest tri-head turns with the gearing. There is a second tri-head spinner that includes a gear. This head spins freely, but doesn't appear that it is gear driven, despite the presence of the gear. My third tri-head spinner doesn't spin at all, but is frozen in place on the main arm below. Is that how it's supposed to be?
Sorry for the data dump, but hopefully you can make sense of it. Any assistance or insight is greatly appreciated. I can send photos if needed.
J.
1) INITIAL SYMPTOM:
Dishes were not clean on either upper or lower racks. It did not appear any water-under-force was making contact with the dishes.
2) SPRAY ARM INSPECTION
Suspecting the Lower Wash Arm (W10860176) I removed it and dis-assembled relevant parts below it, down to removing the white Diffuser Disc (WPW10476221). Upon inspection, all related parts seemed fully intact, functional and not blocked. The sprayer jets did not appear to be blocked. The gearing was not broken and the largest tri-head sprayer moved easily on it's gearing (when detached from the LSA drive pin). I reassembled all, then ran multiple Service Diagnostic Cycles.
3) SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS
Intervals 27 & 26 (Customer Errors 1&2) returned the following:
F6E1 - Water Inlet, Low/no water.
and
F9E4 - Diverter, Lower Spray Arm Error
Intervals 2 & 1 (Service Cycle Diag Errors 1&2) returned only:
F6E1 - Water Inlet, Low/no water (and no corresponding 6-4 or 6-2 errors)
9-4 was not part of the Service Cycle errors - strange.
At this point I once again dis-assembled all related Spray Arm parts down to the Diffuser Disc, and all still looked in order. So I reassembled, cleared the previous customer errors, then ran another System diagnostic. The historical customer errors were gone, but Interval 2 repeated the Service Cycle Error, 6-1. With that in mind, I turned my focus to the Water Inlet Valve.
4) WATER INLET VALVE INSPECTION
I dis-assembled the Water Inlet Valve (W10872255) down to removing the entire valve. All connections had been tight and intact. The filter screen in the valve was completely clean. While disassembled, I independently confirmed strong water pressure up to the point of it's connection to the Water Inlet Valve. I reassembled all.
5) I BEGAN TO DOUBT THE 6-1 ERROR CODE
After reassembling the Water Inlet Valve, I ran a speed wash (customer) cycle, this time with my hand touching the water inlet valve, to feel if it was operating. I also opened the dishwasher immediately after the initial fill. The dishwasher filled with water just fine, to just above the heating element. I've reached the conclusion there are NO problems with the water intake, though I can't explain why I'm still getting the 6-1 Diagnostic error.
Since it was clear my unit was getting water, I tried putting a couple coffee mugs (face-up) on both the lower and upper racks, to see if any of the water was being diverted to the upper rack, which I had not previously tested. No water appears to be circulating. The cups were empty on both upper and lower racks.
6) ERROR 9-4 RETURNS
After having run the customer speed cycle above, I once again ran another Service Diagnostic cycle. The two Customer Error codes re-appeared, including the 9-4 error. But again, only the 6-1 showed up as a SERVICE ERROR, not the 9-4.
7) STATUS
After all the above, it appears water is getting into the dishwasher, but while it's in the tub, it's just sitting there. It's not being distributed by any of the sprayer arms, upper or lower. It's heating and pumping out just fine btw.
8) MYSTERIES
A) The lower Sprayer Arm IS MOVING partially. During a customer cycle, I can open the dishwasher at random points and the lower Sprayer Arm will be in a different position, though no sign that the jets have fired. It is turning but how much I can't tell.
B) If it's a Sprayer Arm problem, why is the 9-4 Error never thrown as a Service Diagnostic error? It only appears as a historical Customer cycle error.
C) Why is the Service Diagnostic throwing the 6-1 Error, despite the unit appearing to fill (and refill) with water throughout all test cycles?
D) My lower Sprayer Arm has three tri-head spinners (W10860176) but I'm uncertain which are supposed to actually spin. The largest tri-head turns with the gearing. There is a second tri-head spinner that includes a gear. This head spins freely, but doesn't appear that it is gear driven, despite the presence of the gear. My third tri-head spinner doesn't spin at all, but is frozen in place on the main arm below. Is that how it's supposed to be?
Sorry for the data dump, but hopefully you can make sense of it. Any assistance or insight is greatly appreciated. I can send photos if needed.
J.
