FIXED Kitchenaid KDTM404KPS0 dishwasher not cleaning properly yet no code.

[ellislives]

Model Number

KDTM404KPS0

Brand

KitchenAid

Age

1-5 years

I’m at my wits end on this dishwasher. Got the dreaded “Dishwashers not working” call from the wife on Friday and been hand washing dishes all weekend.

Model: KDTM404KPS

Age: 15 months from a big box store. Installed myself. No other issues prior to this.

Issue: Wife said she ran a cycle and the dishes weren’t clean. She made sure all the spinner arms were free from debris and that no food was obvious in the base (a coarse filter maybe”). I run the diagnostics and that’s where my problem really begins. No codes. Nothing. I do the 1-2-3 sequence to put it into diagnostic mode, all the lights come on, close the door, wait ~4.5 mins then the lights just go off. Is this telling me everything is fine?

I read a few of these threads and place a bowl face up on bottom rack and a bowl face down on middle rack. Cycle runs without issue. Open door, unit is hot, bowl on bottom filled with water, bowl on top had been hit but was not clean.

I took apart the sump at the bottom hoping it was clogged. Aside from an expected layer of slime around the perimeter of the cover, nothing seems awry.

I was hoping not a remove the unit for the repair but whatever the fix it, I’m tied to it at this point. I just don’t want to start throwing parts at it. I don’t know where to begin considering I can’t get it to throw a code. Could that be the problem to begin with?

This was the closest thread I could find but their issue at least threw a code.

FIXED - KDTM404ESS3 KitchenAid Dishwasher Not Cleaning

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...

www.applianceblog.com

This site has been invaluable.

Added complete model number

 

[Jake]

This site has been invaluable.

Thanks! We enjoy helping others with appliance repairs.

Your missing the last digit in your model number, read it from the model number tag, which is located inside the door on the tub frame.

Here's the results I get:
KDTM404KPS0
KDTM404KPS1

I do the 1-2-3 sequence to put it into diagnostic mode, all the lights come on, close the door, wait ~4.5 mins then the lights just go off. Is this telling me everything is fine?

No, it should run about 23 minutes and you should hear it fill with water and the wash(circulation) motor come on, did you hear it come on and water splashing in the tub?

 

[ellislives]

KDTM404KPS0. Sorry missed that. When I say it runs for 4.5 mins then turns off, I mean the status light in the upper right hand corner of the face goes from white to unlit. Nothing happens after that. I will try to wait the entire 23 mins and see if something else happens.

 

[ellislives]

I went back and tried to rerun the diagnostics but nothing happened. The light still went out after 4 1/2 mins. At no point did I hear any water.

 

[Jake]

Ok, I'm attaching your tech. data sheet below, do the User Interface Test and Service Test Cycle and Error Code History Display.

 

[ellislives]

Thank you so much. I ran the diagnostics cycle and pulled codes 8-2 (Inlet Water: Fill Valve Electrical Problem) and 10-2 (Vent Wax Motor Electrical Problem). I wasn't expecting stacked codes. Any ideas?

 

[Jake]

At no point did I hear any water.

8-2 (Inlet Water: Fill Valve Electrical Problem) is related to that.

Ok, Did you check the float switch?

Here's your service manual: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16JlVUq65LUiZdSpsIJJqAnEAS7sDAYHL/view?usp=sharing Look on page 41, then page 45 tells how to check the float switch(aka Overfill Switch Circuit).

Test Procedure
1. Verify water supply is turned on and supply line is adequate.
Check for water siphoning out of the dishwasher (drain loop or improper drain connection). Check for debris in water line or fill valve inlet screen. Check for proper float switch operation. Repair as necessary.

Here's the float switch for your model: W11545764

Here's the video of where its located:

 

[ellislives]

I was finally able to pull the fill valve. No evidence of water in pan, .4 ohms across the pins at closed (static), inf at open (styrofoam depressed). 12.6 V at harness. Everything checks out. A rerun of diagnostics now pulls code F8E4 in addition to F8E2 and F10E2. I assume that it just recognized that the fill switch was removed.

 

[ellislives]

I'm trying to avoid pulling this thing. I reviewed that technical manual. Could this be as simple as the inlet valve?

 

[Jake]

I'm trying to avoid pulling this thing. I reviewed that technical manual. Could this be as simple as the inlet valve?

Yes, what I do is get my multimeter and check for 120 volts at the electrical connector that connects to it, WHEN IT SHOULD BE FILLING, and see if your meter reads 120 volts, if so, then yes its a bad water inlet valve.

Here's the water inlet valve for your model:
Water Inlet Valve W11434044

 

[ellislives]

I finally got the new inlet valve and replaced it tonight. Still pulling an 8-2 when I run diagnostics. The diagnostic cycle stops at 4 minutes and 38 seconds. It looks to be right here in the area circled. I've pulled the unit out and have it setup to replace just about anything on it. Still looking for ideas. That manual says it could be the "control". Is that the main board?

 

[ellislives]

I just reran a cycle. It's filling, heating, and draining. It's just not spraying. The spray bars are free from debris and working properly. I'm reading about a diverter. What's left? The diverter? A central cpu?

 

[Jake]

I just reran a cycle. It's filling, heating, and draining. It's just not spraying. The spray bars are free from debris and working properly. I'm reading about a diverter. What's left? The diverter? A central cpu?

Ok, another member had this similar issue and he found the filter was broken causing this issue:

FIXED - KDTM404KPS0 blinking 9 times

Hello, I was wondering if I could get some help in getting started diagnosing the issue with my dishwasher, it is barely over a year old and it's the first time I've had any issues with it. When starting the dishwasher some water gets pumped into it and I can hear a humming noise it just does...

www.applianceblog.com

Like I mentioned to him--->Check the filter inside that pump chamber, that could be broken and not allowing the motor to run, here's the filter part number: W11643383

Here's the dishwasher wash(circulation) motor for your model, which comes with the new filter already installed for you:
Pump Assembly W11414076


Its in-stock currently here: Base-Pump W11414076

The service manual I posted the link to above shows you how to access those parts.

For others following your thread--->Disconnect power to your dishwasher. Then you will need to remove the dishwasher from underneath your cabinet to access those parts(which u already did).

 

[smithcrew]

I would like to tag along on this thread. We also have the KDTM404KPS0 dishwasher. It started making horrible noises. I remove the pump as shown above and took it apart. The screen filter cylinder was exploded into many bits. I checked our p-trap under the sink and there were bits in there. I ordered a new one and installed it today. I had also noticed previously that the lower wand was not spinning when I looked into the washer. The new pump seems to be pumping fine, but every time I checked for a spinning lower arm, it was not spinning. I have now removed the diverter disk and its motor. They fit together great (not worn out). When I run the cycle now, the bottom wand spins with a smaller than normal amount of water coming out of the arm than I think it should be (this is me guesstimating) and the upper arm not spinning, but a little water coming out of it. So, I think I need the diverter. The diverter motor part number is W11036111, and as far as I can tell, it is no longer available by itself. It seems to now be only available as part of a larger assembly, which includes the main pump motor, which I just purchased. This dishwasher is still being sold in stores, so I am surprised this diverter motor is not available stand alone. There are two connectors going to it, one with three wires and one with two. I am guessing the two wires are pwr/rtn. If this is correct, does anyone know what the other three wire connector is used for, sensing the spinning, or somehow the computer tells this motor when to spin and I am just unlucky when I look inside and see that it has not spun and is not spinning? I am debating replacing the diverter motor with some ebay parts or used parts on Amazon (neither am I excited about), or if the issue could be the computer, either just keep trying it and hope the disk spins when it needs to, or punting the washer all together and starting over.

 

[ellislives]

After reviewing the above thread with my finance board (read "wife"), my lovely bride took it as a personal challenge to call Kitchen Aid customer service and try to get this paid for. We all have our strengths and she's honey when I'm a hammer. The unit is 15 months old so it just went out of warranty. She got them to honor the warranty.

The bad news is that we're hand washing until 2/24. It's sounds like others are having a similar problem. I'll report back when I find the cause.

 

[smithcrew]

Installed a new wash pump. Might could have just replaced the exploded screen, but was concerned other damage might not be evident, so went with the pump. All seems to be working fine again, so fingers crossed.

 

[Jake]

Installed a new wash pump. Might could have just replaced the exploded screen, but was concerned other damage might not be evident, so went with the pump. All seems to be working fine again, so fingers crossed.

Sounds good.

Thanks for the update!

 

[Jake]

After reviewing the above thread with my finance board (read "wife"), my lovely bride took it as a personal challenge to call Kitchen Aid customer service and try to get this paid for. We all have our strengths and she's honey when I'm a hammer. The unit is 15 months old so it just went out of warranty. She got them to honor the warranty.

The bad news is that we're hand washing until 2/24. It's sounds like others are having a similar problem. I'll report back when I find the cause.

Sounds good on yours too, you are correct, handwashing on yours will be needed till 2/24 unfortunately.

Let us know how it goes when they fix yours too.

 

[ellislives]

I finally got my dishwasher fixed. The tech said that he replaced the entire sump and motor assembly. He also replaced the spray arm and element. He mentioned that they had had some problem with those too.

This looks like it

 

[Jake]

Yes, the complete sump/pump motor assembly is: W11416362

Glad to hear that your back in business.

Thanks for the update!