Superba KDS-17 Dishwasher Detergent Dispenser

Disconnect the electricity to the dishwasher. Remove the front door panel by removing the 4 screws..2 on each side on the inner edges of the door. Close the door and you'll see the detergent dispenser from the outer door. There is either one white arm with a hook or two. When you turn the dispenser the white arm moves and hooks into a bi-metal strip bar. At the point when the dispenser trips, the bi-metal bar bends and releases the white arm. Over the years it might have become mal-adjusted. Put a drop or two of WD-40 onto the bi-metal bar and also on the tip of the white arm where it hooks. Then, from the inside of the dishwasher...turn the dispenser and latch it. From the outside now, pull down gently on the bi-metal bar to see how difficult it is for it to release. At this point you can bend the bi-metal bar to adjust it accordingly so it won't take so much effort to trip the white arm. Try this out and see if it corrects the problem. I have done this many times and it has always worked for me.


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Post# 148718 8/16/2006 at 11:04 (6,456 days old) by jimb (Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes After 30 years or so of faithful service, the detergent dispenser quit working (will not open for main wash). I really don't want to replace this machine if at all avoidable. Would anyone have any information on how I can access this dispenser and where I might find a replacement part? Thanks, jb

Post# 148729 , Reply# 1 8/16/2006 at 12:43 (6,456 days old) by varicyclevoice (Davenport, Iowa)
Checkrate/Likes *Try this:* Disconnect electricity to dishwasher. Take off the door panel (4 screws on inside edge of door. Close dishwasher door and add a drop of WD-40 onto the white hook on dispenser as well as onto the bi-metal strip that it hooks to. Then close detergent cups from inside dishwasher until they latch. Close dishwasher door and see how easy it is to pull down gently on the bi-metal strip until it releases the white hook. If it takes a lot of effort, you might adjust the bi-metal hook by bending it slightly so that it the white hook slides off easier. At the point when the detergent dispenser is tripped, the bi-metal hook is energized and it bends which then releases the white hook latch. Over the years it may need adjustment. I have done this many times and it has always corrected the problem. Try it and see if that works.

Post# 148730 , Reply# 2 8/16/2006 at 12:48 (6,456 days old) by varicyclevoice (Davenport, Iowa)
Checkrate/Likes *Try this:* Disconnect the electricity to the dishwasher. Remove the front door panel by removing the 4 screws..2 on each side on the inner edges of the door. Close the door and you'll see the detergent dispenser from the outer door. There is either one white arm with a hook or two. When you turn the dispenser the white arm moves and hooks into a bi-metal strip bar. At the point when the dispenser trips, the bi-metal bar bends and releases the white arm. Over the years it might have become mal-adjusted. Put a drop or two of WD-40 onto the bi-metal bar and also on the tip of the white arm where it hooks. Then, from the inside of the dishwasher...turn the dispenser and latch it. From the outside now, pull down gently on the bi-metal bar to see how difficult it is for it to release. At this point you can bend the bi-metal bar to adjust it accordingly so it won't take so much effort to trip the white arm. Try this out and see if it corrects the problem. I have done this many times and it has always worked for me.

Post# 148731 , Reply# 3 8/16/2006 at 12:49 (6,456 days old) by varicyclevoice (Davenport, Iowa)
Checkrate/Likes *sorry about the duplicate post:* I typed it once and it said it posted already, but when I went to look at it there was nothing, so I retyped and reposted. Sorry.

Post# 148893 , Reply# 4 8/17/2006 at 16:49 (6,455 days old) by jimb (Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *THANKS VERICYCLEVOICE!* OK! That sounds like what I needed to know! I can't work on the machine until Saturday due to my work schedule but I'll give you a post as soon as I open it up! Thanks a million for the reply - and for sharing your knowledge!

Post# 149330 , Reply# 5 8/20/2006 at 07:42 (6,452 days old) by jimb (Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *Sucessful conclusion - THANKS Vericyclevoice!* Followed your directions to a sucessful conclusion! Thanks to you I now have a working Kitchenaid dishwasher again! Thanks again, Jim B.