Make it start with a door switch dishwasher repair

Make it Start with a Door Switch Dishwashing Machine Repair

Make it Start with a Door Switch Dishwashing machine Repair

You would not even know your dishwasher had one up until it isn't working. These little switches are tucked inside the control board of your dishwasher and most times are a part of the door latch. The door latch pulls the door securely to the main body of your dishwashing machine and prevents water from leaking during a cycle. If your dishwasher does not start, it might be due to a faulty door switch.

How the door switch works

When the dishwasher door is open, the switch is off. Inside your dishwasher tub will be a metal or plastic prong. Close and lock the door. The prong will depress the door switch entirely and the circuit will close permitting the dishwasher to start. Examine the prong to ensure it's not loose or bent and it's properly activating the door switch.

It is essential to detach the dishwashing machine from its power source before trying any repair work. You can disconnect the dishwasher from the outlet, eliminate the fuse from your fuse box, or flick the breaker turn on your circuit panel. This will avoid you from getting an electrical shock.

What a door switch looks like and where it's located

Typically a dishwashing machine door switch is an inch long. It can be black or red and has metal prongs called terminals protruding from the body. Some door switches have two terminals and some have three.

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The terminals can be a common terminal (COM), usually closed terminal (NC) or a generally open terminal (NO). Switches with only two terminals will either have a COM and a NO, or a COM and an NC. Door switches with 3 terminals have COM, NC, and a NO.

Your dishwashing machine's door switch will lag the control panel on the front of the unit. It may be essential to eliminate the inner panel of the door first. You can do this by getting rid of a few screws. The screws at the bottom of the door are for the hinges. You do not require to get rid of the entire door for this repair.

Once the inner panel is eliminated you may discover another smaller panel covering the back of the control board kept in place with screws or clips. By eliminating this panel you will get to the lock assembly real estate the door switch.

How to eliminate the switch

Carefully usage needle nose pliers to pull the wires leading from the harness off the terminals. For door changes that have a locking clip, depress the lever as you carefully pull the harness far from the terminal.

Take your time while eliminating switches that belong of the lock assembly or that have a bracket. If you hurry and break the switch's real estate you will wind up having to change more parts.

How to evaluate your door switch

Use an ohmmeter to evaluate the switch for continuity. This test is for door switches with 3 terminals.

1. Set your ohmmeter to determine resistance at a scale of Rx1.

2. Touch the metal suggestions of the test leads together and zero your ohmmeter by changing the thumbwheel in the front of the meter up until the needles checks out "0" on the scale.

3. Touch one meter result in the COM terminal and the other lead to the NO terminal. Do not push in on the actuator.

4. Your meter ought to give a reading of infinity, suggesting the circuit is open, and there is no continuity.

5. Without moving the meter's leads, press down on the actuator until you hear a 'click'.

6. With the 'click' of the actuator, the meter needs to produce a resistance reading of absolutely no ohms. This means the circuit is closed and continuity exists. (You will only hear this click with a door switch with emergency plumber Canberra three terminals.)

7. Keep the meter lead that is touching the COM terminal in place, however move the other meter lead from the NO terminal to the NC terminal.

8. When the actuator is released, you must receive a resistance reading of absolutely no ohms.

9. Now set your ohmmeter to its greatest resistance scale and touch one meter cause the NO terminal and the other meter result in the NC terminal.

10. The resistance reading in between these 2 leads need to be infinite.

11. Lastly take a resistance reading from both the NC terminal and the NO terminal to any metal mounting hardware that belongs of the switch assembly. You should receive a normal reading of infinity.

Any readings that differ from the tests above are indications of a faulty door switch that will need to be replaced.

Replace the old switch with a new one, utilizing the exact same process as explained above. Reassemble the inner door panel and reconnect your dishwashing machine to its power supply. Don't forget to change your fuse or turn the breaker switch back on. Run your dishwasher through a cycle to ensure it's working appropriately.