Dishwasher Help Forum

[hornetcarp]

Yup, fine. Bear in mind that the element is above the water line when the machine has filled correctly - it is cooled by the water showering down on it.

Penguin45.

i thought the water level would be over the element, therefore heating the water for washing??

[Penguin45]

No, no - that's why you need good circulation.

Penguin45.

[hornetcarp]

right i've observed the filling by looking in the LHS panel and it is indeed doing 3 fills and the plastic container appears to be filling right up. i don't really know what i'm looking at as there are many little compartments and sections to it but i would think it's ok??

the water level in the bottom of the washer is upto the salt cap (as you advised) so this seems ok.

it looks like the problem is the circulation as you suggested. after the filling there are a series of what i would describe as jolts or slight thuds and a buzzing/humming. these only last 2-3 secs. i assume this the circulation motor attempting to kick in but for some reason isn't.

where is the motor situated? presumeably it's a seperate one to the draining one? is it easier to get at it from the front bottom panel, either side panel or from underneath the machine by tilting back?

[hornetcarp]

You can get to the motor by removing the right hand side panel - the relay plugs into the side. You can do a continuity test on the coil; to check whether the bolt is closing the contacts, turn the relay upside down to bring the bolt into the closed position.

Penguin45.

i found the motor on the LHS on mine!

how do i test the relay? do i need to remove it? (if so how?) what's the 'bolt'?

[Penguin45]

Unplug relay from the side of the motor - it sits on two pins.

Whilst you're under there, check whether or not the motor turns by hand - it should feel "heavy" but turn smoothly.

Penguin45.

[hornetcarp]

right, i know alot more now!!

motor attempts to spin but only moves a fraction each time the relay kicks in.

after a number of tries it's starts to smell/smoke abit!!!

it seems to me that the relay is functioning ok but the motor isn't??

i can turn the motor a little each way(clockwise/anti-clockwise) by hand, and it's heavy like you say, but it only turns a little each way?

has the motor had it or is it something else preventing the motor spinning?? presumeably the motor 'acts' on something within the white casing ajoined (pump/propellor?) so could it be there is a problem in there that's stopping the motor??

i've got the machine tipped up on it's back, is it worth removing the white casing (pump?) from the motor to investigate??

or is this wishful thinking and the motor is just shagged!!!

please excuse my ignorance LOL

thanks for all your help

[Penguin45]

Entirely possible that the motor is jammed by a foreign body, or as you said it hadn't been used for a while, that the water seals inside have seized together. To access the pump housing, it is best to actually remove the motor. It hangs on two rubbers and the hose clips - be very careful of them, they are surprisingly highly sprung. Make a not of where the wires are going first, as well.

Penguin45.

[hornetcarp]

right after a couple of weeks break (due to badly slicing my finger whilst turning the motor!!! ) and the dishwasher being on it's back, i finally got to work on it again.....

right i removed the circulation motor but couldn't prise (despite removing the 3 nuts) the white pump casing off. i assume it part of the motor and doesn't come off.

anyway looking in through the inlets i could see the pink fins and a plastic nut in the middle. i got a socket on this and it was very stiff to turn (no wonder the motor was having trouble!!) but eventually i got it turning nice and freely, both ways, and could see the motor blades movely freely with it. great i thought...job done!!

but it all back together (not easy getting the hoses back on!!), righted the machine and gave it a whirl.

unfortunately despite me thinking i'd got the motor/pump turning nicely i still didn't get any circulation. this time (since my handy work) the motor didn't even seem to attempt to turn but just got VERY hot and smelly!!!

i assume i either did it no favours but getting the pump and motor turning (maybe it just didn't want to!!) or i re-wired incorrectly!!!

given that it's turning freely (and not jammed/seized) what is the likely explanation for the motor getting extremely hot now??

[Penguin45]

I presume that the thing is cooked. The rotor contains a magnet within it; heat destroys magnetism.

Got to say this will be an unecomic repair given the age of the machine.

Bad luck.

Penguin45.

[hornetcarp]

I presume that the thing is cooked. The rotor contains a magnet within it; heat destroys magnetism.

Got to say this will be an unecomic repair given the age of the machine.

Bad luck.

Penguin45.

fair enough thanks for your help...............out of interest how much would the motor cost?

[Penguin45]

Are you sitting down?

Motor - p/no 140488 - £201.82 from www.bshappliancecare.com ........

THIS is nice - all our own work.

Penguin45.

[hornetcarp]

Are you sitting down?

Motor - p/no 140488 - £201.82 from www.bshappliancecare.com ........

Penguin45.

can nearly buy a new appliance for that!!!!

[Penguin45]

:eeek: can nearly buy a new appliance for that!!!!

Click the blue 'this' in the previous post.........

[hornetcarp]

:eeek: can nearly buy a new appliance for that!!!!

Click the blue 'this' in the previous post.........

i did!!