Do-it-yourself dishwasher repair

There is a dishwasher in almost every home - this small unit greatly facilitates the work in the kitchen, saving our time and effort on washing and drying dishes. But, like any household appliance, even the highest quality dishwasher begins to malfunction over time. Fortunately, most of the malfunctions that may arise during its operation can be eliminated independently without calling the wizard. In most cases, they are associated with wear of the main units and parts, as well as the consequences of improper operation. In any case, it is very worthwhile to understand the device and the principle of operation of a home dishwasher. This will save you from unnecessary costs for the services of a service center and washing dishes by hand due to a long downtime of a failed unit.

The design of household dishwashers is in many ways similar to the layout of washing machines. The main difference lies in the absence of a rotating drum in the dishwasher and in the presence of a number of specific functions that ensure the process of washing dishes.

The interior of the dishwasher can be viewed by opening its front wall. The list of the main units and components of the unit includes:

1. Control Panel.
2. A board with a processor.
3. Electric motor.
4. Dispenser.
5. Dryer air path.
6. Turbofan.
7. Upper and lower baskets.
8. Cutlery basket.
9. Upper and lower rocker arms.
10. Discharge pump.
11. Filter system and softener.
12. Pallet and drainage.
13. Heating element.
14. Counterweight.
15. Capacitor.
16. Water supply valve.
17. Top and bottom (side) nozzles.
18. Detergent container.
19. Float regulator.
20. Ion exchanger.
21. Salt container.

Dishwasher interior

The basis of the dishwasher is a sealed metal case, covered from the inside with a stainless composition, insensitive to temperature fluctuations and the aggressive effects of detergents and equipped with sound and thermal insulation. The control panel is located on the front of the machine. It consists of a timer (microcontroller), control buttons and an indicator display.

Dishwasher control panel

Spray blocks (impeller) consist of a system of pipes and nozzles. Through them, heated water with detergent is supplied to the interior of the machine under pressure, which ensures high quality cleaning and washing of dishes.

Dishwasher impeller sprayer

The dishwasher float switch is the primary protection against leaks. The drain unit has a design similar to the drain in washing machines.

And one of the main components of the dishwasher is the water pump, which is installed in conjunction with the electric motor. The filtration system is no less important - it serves to catch food debris and other debris.

The dishwasher is hidden from view. You simply put the dirty dishes and cutlery in the baskets, add the detergent, close the front wall and turn on the start button. But knowing what is happening inside the unit when it washes the dishes does not hurt at all - this will allow you to determine the cause of the malfunctions much faster and correctly eliminate them.

The dishwasher works according to the following algorithm:

1. Starting water drain.
2. Water filling.
3. Start washing.
4. Adding detergents.
5. Heating water.
6. Washing dishes.
7. Draining.
8. Filling in rinsing water.
9. Rinsing. Rinsing dishes
10. Final drainage of water.
11. Drying dishes.

Condensing dishwasher

Washing programs - sequences of instructions executed by the microprocessor - differ in such parameters as:

• the presence or absence of the pre-soaking function;
• the degree of water heating (50-75 o C, sometimes higher);
• program execution time.

Dishwasher programmer with microprocessor

The operation of the dishwasher with the implementation of the functions of the selected washing program is carried out in the following order:

1. The microprocessor checks that the door is closed and issues a flush command to the drain pump.
2. After stopping the pump, fresh water is collected, the level of which is monitored by a special sensor.
3. A circulation pump is turned on, which creates pressure inside the housing, water enters the impeller, which begins to rotate under pressure. In the meantime, the dispenser opens and the detergent enters the interior of the machine. Dishwasher circulation pump
4. The heating element is heating the water.
5. The water is drained off using a drain pump. Dishwasher drain pump
6. A new portion of rinse water is added.
7. After rinsing, the used water is emptied out and the drying function is activated.
8. Upon completion of the drying of the dishes, a sensor is triggered, the signal of which forces the microprocessor to open the lock of the front wall.

Using kitchen equipment every day, you will inevitably learn to distinguish between how it works - properly or with some kind of malfunction. And not all of the latter are associated with obvious malfunctions in the technology itself.

If your dishwasher does its job poorly, it is quite possible that you are simply breaking the operating mode.

1. White streaks and streaks on dishes

Streaks appear when the user has loaded too much rinse aid or salt. Dirty drips indicate the opposite - in this case, it is worth increasing the dosage of the detergent.

Too much detergent

1. Poor drainage of used water

Food residues on the bottom of the dishwasher and on the dishes themselves are a sign of clogged filters. Manufacturers recommend cleaning them almost after every wash, after draining the remaining water from the system.

1. Poor cleaning of dishes from food debris.

Any, even the best dishwasher is unlikely to cope with thoroughly burnt or not washed dishes - in this case, you should do a little work with your hands before loading into the machine.

Before loading: manual cleaning of a burnt pot

1. Excess foam

If there is too much foam, then the rinse aid is far overloaded. Just adjust the machine's dispenser or add a little more powder, an excellent defoamer.

The reasons for the unsatisfactory cleanliness of the dishes after washing can also be:

• improper placement of dishes in the interior of the dishwasher - water does not get on all surfaces; Positioning the dishes correctly in the dishwasher
• the impeller does not spin - the sprayer is blocked by excessive loading or improper installation of the dishes;
• no detergent is being supplied - it is simply over, or its supply is blocked by dishes or food residues;
• no water is supplied from the impeller - you need to check the nozzles of the sprayer and, if necessary, clean them with a stream of water, after removing them from the machine;
• wrong choice of washing mode.

If you are sure that you have strictly adhered to the operating mode and even after checking and performing all the necessary service procedures, the machine still works very badly or refuses to wash the dishes altogether, this most likely means that there are technical malfunctions.

Diagnostics and elimination of malfunctions due to which the operation of the machine is impossible:

1. The machine does not turn on or has an electric shock

• in more than a third of cases, this means a break in the electrical circuit - the current simply does not reach the engine and, most likely, due to a blown fuse.It is also worth checking the integrity of the plug and power cord; Wiring diagram for a simple dishwasher
• a frequent reason for the absence of signs of the life of a dishwasher is a loosely closed door;
• lack of water in the working chamber: you need to check the serviceability of the tap, the permeability of the inlet filter and the integrity of the supply hose; Dishwasher filter
• if there is voltage on the outer metal parts of the machine, check the health of the heating element and the presence of water softening salt in the dispenser. Heating element of a dishwasher of a flow-through type

1. Defective programmer

If the dishwasher board burns out, it will be possible to repair it only in the workshop - this will require special knowledge, tools and practical skills.

In most cases, the programmer must be replaced, but this can seriously hit your pocket. Therefore, it is worth asking about the successful experience of repairing household dishwasher boards from familiar craftsmen.

If you nevertheless managed to start the unit, however, it is obvious that it is not working correctly or does not perform its functions, you should pay close attention to the following points:

1. Knocks and other extraneous sounds during the operation of equipment

Check the integrity of the gun bearings. The bearings of the main or drain pump unit may also knock. The first works periodically, pumping water into the system, the second - at the end of each cycle.

1. Water does not flow into the cooking chamber

If the filter and water supply hose have nothing to do with it, most likely the culprit is a broken inlet valve that needs to be replaced.

Dishwasher inlet valve

1. Pressure switch does not work

It is necessary to remove the terminals from this part and clean the branch pipe to which the plastic pressure tube fits - a working switch, when triggered, emits a soft click.

1. Machine stops in the middle of a cycle

The reason for this is most often a faulty pump. But first, you should check the recirculation filters, the water intake path, the water heater or the thermostat.

Dishwasher circulation pump

1. The dishes are washed with cold water

Most likely, your car does not have a thermal sensor, so its programmer did not notice that the heating element or the heating automatics were out of order. In this case, you will have to replace the broken electronics, which is recommended to be done at the service center.

Dishwasher removal and disassembly must be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Removing the front panel of the built-in dishwasher

Well-known brands provide more detailed data on the manufactured equipment, incl. in Russian. In other cases, you will have to look for a sensible algorithm of actions on the Internet, or trust your technical instinct - after all, the dishwasher device is not super-complicated and anyone can figure it out using ingenuity and the tool necessary for work.

Strict adherence to the operating mode reduces the likelihood of damage to the dishwasher at least fourfold. Therefore, immediately after installation, thoroughly study the operating programs of the unit and explain to your household in an accessible way how to use it correctly.

The dishwasher is simple, a number of maintenance actions have been developed that can be performed independently by the owner of the purchase. Filter cleaning, adjustment. We hope the tips below will help you do your DIY dishwasher repairs.

A number of standard operating modes are laid down, each model is equipped with a couple of specific ones. But the tentative algorithm is similar. The dishwasher draws water from the mains supply. The fence goes through a brine overflow softener. The brine compartment is usually located in the floor of the dishwasher, covered with a lid.

The flow enters under its own pressure, bypassing the inlet filter, and is regulated by a float valve or pressure switch.The required amount of water has filled the dishwasher - the inlet is closed and heating starts.

The required temperature is different depending on the technological stage of the cycle. For the last rinse, the value is traditionally higher. Designed to facilitate the drying process of dishes.

The heated water is pumped by the main pump (called the pump unit) into the working chamber. It gets there through sprinklers equipped with sprinklers. A thoughtful choice of the direction of the beating jets creates a reactive force that rotates the impeller. The dishwasher has two spray arms, one upper and one lower. The design is devoid of fundamental differences.

The waste water goes through two stages of cleaning, bypassing filters, then it is used for washing again. In the process described, a little powder is introduced into the chamber through the door of the detergent drawer. The exact amount is set by the program. The dishwasher uses water several times, cleansing the stream with two filters, at the end of the technological stage, sends it to the drain with a special drain pump.

At the end of the cycle, drying is carried out. There are several types of procedure, mainly:

• condensation drying;
• turbo drying.

In the first case, the dishes dry due to the heating obtained by the last rinse, the steam condenses on the cold walls and flows down. The process is catalyzed by special substances contained in the rinse aid, which reduce the surface tension of the water. In dishwashers equipped with a turbo dryer, hot, humid air is forced out by a fan, speeding up the process.

It was mentioned above how washing powder, gel, tablets get into the compartment. The rinse aid is poured into a separate container, in some cases it may not participate at all in the process. The loop looks like this:

1. preliminary wash;
2. main sink;
3. rinsing;
4. drying.

It remains to mention that for washing, the dishes are laid out in special baskets, they lie motionless during the cycle. Water jets are poured from all directions due to the rotation of the sprinkler impellers. Below are a kind of guide to repairing dishwashers, useful tips for tracking the correct operation of the equipment.

It is recommended to entrust the repair of industrial dishwashers to professionals, what to do if the home model is stubborn, we will consider a little below. We see a number of typical signs manifested in the unsatisfactory appearance of the dishes after washing, which are not considered manifestations of breakdown:

Each owner has seen enough of a kitchen assistant, so they know how the equipment should work. Below are typical situations that signal minor malfunctions, simply calling for a do-it-yourself dishwasher repair.

• The dishwasher seems to be working, water does not flow inside. It is worth starting with the previous point, having examined the hose, filter. The reason may be more prosaic, unpleasant: the inlet valve has broken. The accessory is relatively easy to change, you have to buy a new one. The part follows the intake filter. You will need to disassemble the case.
• Defective pressure switch. Disconnect the element from the wire terminals, slightly blow the branch pipe to which the plastic tube fits. A slight clicking sound is heard when the device is operating satisfactorily.
• The machine stopped in the middle of a cycle, the case, in addition to the fuses and the presence of power, concerns a faulty working pump. Check the recirculating water filters first. The dishwasher will behave in a similar manner when slaughtered. The water intake path (see above), the heating element, the thermal relay are faulty.