Thread Number: 37611
Kitchenaid KDSM 21A-does not drain, full of soap crud 		[Down to Last]

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Post# 559395   11/26/2011 at 14:33 (4,527 days old) by zinniakdsm21a ()        

Hi, I need help. My Kitchenaid KDSM21A is from 1987, a great machine, but does not drain. It's also full of soap glued in crud.
Could you tell me if I need a new motor? Water comes in but does not drain out. Also please tell me how to remove the baked in soap crud. Interior is enamel, not SS.
I am trying to improve the machine as the drawers have a lot of rust so I bought some gently used drawers recently.

Any information will be greatly appreciated. Does anyone have a repair manual for any of the series dishwashers similar to this one? I have original user manual, installation, but would also love the instruction sheet for installing a new motor.

Many thanks to all!




Post# 560836 , Reply# 1   12/2/2011 at 14:32 (4,521 days old) by zinniakdsm21a ()        

Hi, I am adding to my message to see if I can get any response from any of you knowledgeable people. Please help. I need instructions on how to remove the old motor. Again, mny thanks.

Post# 560856 , Reply# 2   12/2/2011 at 17:19 (4,521 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)        
Photo's helpful...

 pdub's profile picture
Can you take and post pictures of your machine to this thread, that would be helpful. Get one of the control panel and one of the interior showing wash arm at bottom.

After the machine fills, does it sound like it's washing? If so, when it stops and pauses just before it is supposed to drain, does it go into the drain process (or sound like it)???

Your drain hose from the pump to the disposer or sink port could be plugged up or there could be a timer problem like not advancing into drain.

Let us know more...

Post# 561712 , Reply# 3   12/7/2011 at 13:26 (4,516 days old) by zinniakdsm21a ()        

It's difficult for me to take pictures. I'll try later. Firstly a description of the control panel. It is not solid state, of course. Ir's from 1987. It has 7 push buttons: (wash selection) soak and scrub pots/pans; normal;light/china;rinse hold;sani rinse;energy saver no heat dry; cancel. That's to the right. To the left areseveral lights that let you know what cycle is on.

First the machine fills in a normal manner, then the timer cycles around, there is only a humming noise as if something is on but the motor never makes washing sounds, just the humming noise, like ehhhhhhhhhhhhh. Then same thing when it's supposed to be draining, just the humming noise, no draining. But I hear all the clicking noises that the timer makes when cycling through the different cycles, but nothing happens.

Also, please any recommendation as to how to clean the white hard calcium/soap deposits can be cleaned I would appreciate to know. I have already started to remove parts to clean them without any success. I have soaked them in very hot water, used toothbrush, used vinegar, nothing. Thank you for your time and advise!

Post# 561719 , Reply# 4   12/7/2011 at 13:59 (4,516 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
KD 21 DW

 combo52's profile picture

I would figure out why the motor is not running before wasting time cleaning it. You may have a bad motor which is NLA, in which case you would be better off getting a complete pump and motor assembly from a donor machine.
Post# 561733 , Reply# 5   12/7/2011 at 15:50 (4,516 days old) by zinniakdsm21a ()        
answer for Kevin and Combo

 Thanks, Kevin, for your response. I have had this dw as new, in 1987. It has already had one change of motor, about 10 years ago (when new motors were still being manufactured). All appliances are old but working.

We plan to keep the dw, change the motor and use it until it goes to dw heaven. One more thing, Kevin, there is a thread that I answered to who is looking for a KD20, do a search on "kitchenaid" or on me and you will find it. That person is looking for a dw like the one you have, may be worth getting in touch with him/her.

To Combo,
Thanks for your comments. Yes, it's most likely a motor problem. I recently acquired probably the only new correct motor left in all of U.S. so am ready to change it. That's why I have removed all the other parts. The top filter had fallen apart so I bought an old motor from ebay that had an attached filter in very good shape, the correct part. But all other parts from my dw are white, covered in calcium deposits, so any suggestions I would really appreciate, especially from any of you that have been doing restorations.



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