Back from vacation, back to reality. Dishwasher

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Well kids I'm back home safe and sound and now must pay attention to a few details that came up right before we left.

First up on the attention list. A new dishwasher.
Yes ours died the NIGHT before our flight.

Current model is a Maytag. Came with house when we bought it 13+ years ago. Assumption is 18 to 20 years old. Not worth a phone call to repair guy. Water is not going in?

If that's an easy fix I'd appreciate the answer. Otherwise time for a new one.

Shaggy says Kenmore.

I know a few people with the Consumer reports Bosch that HATE it.

I do not put my Cephalon pots/pans in the dishwasher. Occasional baking pyrex dishes. Other than that dishwasher is run 2 or 3 times a week. I want CLEAN not fancy. We rinse before loading.

Any suggestions in energy efficient, quiet, low to mid-range price for a machine that does the job reliably?

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Sounds like a simple fix unless a pump is involved- perhaps just a blockage in the piping.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Lawren, why don't you take a look at the top brands, and see what basic models they offer. I have a feeling most makers have a good quality/basic model without all the bells, and whistles. The best deal on one of them may be the way to go.

Good luck!!!

[GeoPatSK Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GeoPatSK]

There are 2 places to look, assuming all of the water supply valves leading to the dishwasher have not been touched since it was working.

First see if the solenoid is working. This should be located where the water supply connects to the dishwasher. You should be able to hear and feel it kick in then the dishwasher starts.

If the solenoid is engaging it is either a bad solenoid (the magnet is engaging but the valve does not open) or a clogged supply line.

If the solenoid is not engaging check to see if when it should be calling for water there is voltage on the terminals of the solenoid. If there is it is and it does not engage, it is a bad solenoid, otherwise you need a new controller. In the older dishwashers they were a motorized switch with cams that turned on different components as it went through its cycle. On newer dishwashers it is an electronic microprocessor board.

If you are comfortable changing out parts it is not bad.

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

If you have to but a new one - check at Lowes and see if they have any discontinued models due to a new model coming out. This is how we got our last dishwasher GE profile.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Sounds like a simple fix unless a pump is involved- perhaps just a blockage in the piping.

My bet is a valve or timer. Valve would let in the water when the timer says to open, or a fill level indicator is stuck at top level so value won't open.

I would buy a new unit and not try to repair those items.

I like my maytag. It is 8 or so years old and have only had a couple minor problems that were covered by the extended warr.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I hate my Bosch...

But I hate it b/c it doesn't have a heated drying cycle and needs Rinse Agent. Makes for a weird smell that I don't like - part mildew/part chemical. It runs so quietly, though, it's miraculous.

Maybe if I'd gotten something higher up in the line (I got a fairly basic one) it'd have heated drying, but I think the european brands are moving toward phasing that out for energy conservation reasons. I'd rather have dry, clean smelling dishes.

[Joe L Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe L]

Welcome back Lawren,
The dishwasher in our house has lasted 28 years and keeps on working. I wash them one day, DW the next. Well most of the time that is how it works. I may miss a few days here and there.

[mschatz Member Find all posts View Profile Close mschatz]

GE Profile

I bought a GE Profile from a guy whose contact info. I will send you privately. We've had it 3 years or so is relatively quiet, was not very expensive and does what it is supposed to do.

Matt

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

A couple of years ago we replaced our DW with a new one from lowes. Mid of the line GE. What a difference in the sound!! Most new DWs are much better than one from 10-20 years ago.

DW in this case means dishwasher not Dear Wife. LOL

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

A couple of years ago we replaced our DW with a new one from lowes. Mid of the line GE. What a difference in the sound!! Most new DWs are much better than one from 10-20 years ago.

DW in this case means dishwasher not Dear Wife. LOL

Bill just for a second there I thought you had replaced wife with a "louder" version. Oh BABY!

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

Bill just for a second there I thought you had replaced wife with a "louder" version. Oh BABY!

Not sure DW would think that's funny. LOL

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Not sure DW would think that's funny. LOL

All joking aside my old Maytag, though it did a great job cleaning, was louder than a freight train when running. I'm looking forward to a quiet version and energy efficient to boot.

OK 2 votes for GE. Over here by the Hudson river GE is frowned upon though for PCB dumping.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I think we have a Kenmore. I'll have to check when I get home. But, I was more concerned with the inside, and how it loaded. Some of the ones we looked at didn't look like they'd hold much.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

We are a Kitchen Aid family since 1964, mom is on her second one in all those years....I put one in our first house in 1981 and put one in our second home 15 years ago.

The only thing that could possibly sway me is the '2 drawer' models - as we just don't fill the regular size one every day to run it - can take 3 days now with only 2 at home...