Stuck on 2-minute drain

[weather_man]

Model Number

GU2500XTPB3

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

6-10 years

No matter which cycle is selected, when I press Start/Resume (S/R), dishwasher goes into 2-Minute Drain (2-MD). Pressing S/R again turns off 2-MD. Pressing Cancel/Drain (C/D) also starts 2-MD; C/D again turns off 2-MD; and so on with both S/R and C/D act as toggle for 2-MD. I can not start any cycle. The buttons and all LEDs work except High-Temp Wash LED will not lite. Regardless of the cycle or options chosen, S/R or C/D clears all lights and starts 2-MD. There is no water in the base and no flashing lights. I turned off the beaker for 5 minutes several different times over the last 24 hours to reset the dishwasher but it did not have any effect.

I ran the Diagnostic Cycle several times with the following results [Interval: Numeric Display(LED, Interval)]:
19: 88(all LEDs lit including High-Temp Wash, 0:06), 18: d1(Normal, 0:02), 17: 12(Rinse Only, 0:02), 16: 16(Normal, 0:55), 15: 15(Normal, 0:05), 14: 14(Normal, 0:40), 13: 13(Rinse Only, 0:05), 12: 12(Normal, 0:45), 11: 11(Rinse Only, 2:00), 10: 10(Normal, 0:15), 9: 9(Rinse Only & Sanitized, 3:00), 8: 8(Normal, 0:15), 7: 7(Rinse Only, 2:00), 6: 6(Normal & Lock, 2:00), 5: 5(Rinse Only & Lock, 2:00), 4: 4(Normal & Soaking, 1:00), 3: 3(Rinse Only, 1:00), 2: 2(Normal, 1:00), 1: 1(Rinse Only, 2:00). Note that the last interval did not run for 3 minutes.

During each diagnostic I could hear the water spraying and the drain worked perfectly. Upon completion the tub was empty. I felt the Heating Element after each diagnostic; it was never hot, only warm from hot water spray. The element looks in good shape. I'll check the continuity and report back. Can the Heating Element really cause all these issues or do I have a bad Control Board or both?

 

[Jake]

Yes, it sounds like a bad control board.

But do ohm test your element first.


<iframe id="yui-gen72" class="restrain" title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lZCP55aScvI?wmode=opaque" frameBorder="0" width="640"></iframe>

Heating element assembly Manufacturer Number W10134009

You'll need to pull the dishwasher out first, as the element terminals are all the way in the back.

<iframe height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-bgs_JicFQg?rel=0" frameBorder="0" width="640" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

If the element tests fine, then its a bad control board, here's the control board for your model you can order here: Whirlpool 8564547 Control Board - AppliancePartsPros.com

Jake

 

[weather_man]

The element tested at 8 ohms which seems low but considering it's the same as the video, I'll assume it's OK. How can I tell if I need to replace the Control Board or the Control Panel? I assume the problem is now assigned to one of these last two options, correct?

Many thanks, Joel

 

[Jake]

Yes Joel, then the element is fine.

Well from what you said above, it seems more like a control board problem, because if it was the control panel you would get a blinking light on one of the cycles or options and the dishwasher wouldn't even do anything.

We have a special program here, all parts you order from our links we post are returnable within 365 days for a FULL refund if they don't fix the problem.

Jake

 

[weather_man]

The Control Board is ordered. I'll post an update when installed.

 

[Jake]

Ok, sounds good, yes keep us posted.

Jake

 

[weather_man]

Interestingly, after I tested the element, I reassembled and re-installed the dishwasher. I tested it to make sure everything was back the way it started without any leaks and suddenly all circuits were working perfectly, including the High-Temp Wash, and the dishwasher ran through a full cycle, perfectly. Upon completion I tried to start a second cycle but it went back to the old problem of being stuck on 2-Minute Drain with the S/R and C/D act as a toggle.

I received the Control Board this afternoon. After installing the board I turned the power on and ran it through a cycle; everything worked perfectly, including the High-Temp Wash. Just to be sure, I tried a second cycle and the dishwasher is back to the 2-Minute Drain problem again except that the Soak & Sour and High-Temp Wash buttons are acting like toggles, the same as the Start/Reset and Cancel/Drain buttons, with a new Control Board. I even turned off the circuit breaker for over a half hour just to be sure it may be the cause of the reset, but no change in the 2-MD problem. Any suggestions?

 

[Jake]

Thats very odd, then it has to be a short in the control panel keypad assembly: Whirlpool 3385744 Panel-Cntl - AppliancePartsPros.com

You can return the control board for a full refund.

Jake