Thread Number: 43426
Kitchenaid Dishwasher Imperial Selectra 21 - Upper Rack not cleaning
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Post# 638528   11/12/2012 at 14:58 (4,154 days old) by buschhome ()        

My dishwasher recently stopped cleaning the upper rack of dishes. It still runs but it looks to me like water is only getting to the lower spray arm. It was installed in 1986. I've taken the wash and drain pump apart and cleaned it. I've cleaned out the filters and ports on the arms. Any other suggestions - or should I go shopping?





Post# 638531 , Reply# 1   11/12/2012 at 15:12 (4,154 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Check the Feed Tube.

toploader55's profile picture
To the upper rack.

Pull the Upper Rack Out. Look at the Center of the upper wash arm. There is a Flat tube that runs to the back of the rack. It may have slipped out of the fitting that connects it to the Feed Manifold on the back of the tub. If that is not the problem, feel the bottom of the feed tube. I picked up a KDS 20 about 4 years ago and the whole bottom of the feed tube was rotted through almost the whole length.


Post# 638535 , Reply# 2   11/12/2012 at 15:21 (4,154 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Upper Rack

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Note the Tube running from the Wash Arm to the back assembly.

See how it is not connected to the Wash Arm... That could be the problem too.

Hope this helps.


Post# 638548 , Reply# 3   11/12/2012 at 15:50 (4,154 days old) by buschhome ()        
43426 Kitchenaid Selectra 21 - Upper Rack not cleaning

I checked the Tube connection to the wash arm everything is in place and secure and there are no blockages between the port on the back of the machine to the wash arm.

Post# 638553 , Reply# 4   11/12/2012 at 16:11 (4,154 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Wait a little bit...

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The Experts should be getting home from work soon.

Post# 638555 , Reply# 5   11/12/2012 at 16:15 (4,154 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        

christfr's profile picture
check to make sure the machine is getting enough water.. just went through the same thing with mine the valve was koncking out and not letting the machine fill enough so put in a valve and that was it.. well for me anyway

Post# 638565 , Reply# 6   11/12/2012 at 16:42 (4,154 days old) by buschhome ()        
Post# 638555, Reply# 5

How did you figure this out - did you put a pressure gage on the faucet?

Post# 638578 , Reply# 7   11/12/2012 at 17:31 (4,154 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Solenoid Strainer

toploader55's profile picture
Good Point Chris

Check the Fill Valve line strainer too. Sediment build up could slow down the water pressure quite a bit.


Post# 638595 , Reply# 8   11/12/2012 at 18:48 (4,154 days old) by appnut (TX)        
Sediment build up could slow down the water pressure quite a

appnut's profile picture

KitchenAid dishwashers fill with water solely with a timed fill design.  So, if there is low water pressure, or if there is sediment in the valve or solenoid that is restricting the flow of water, then each fill will be insufficient.  To verify this, let the machine go through a typical fill period and wait for it to start circulating waer after the fill.  Stop the machine by lifting  the handle, open door and take note of where the wash arm under the top rack is.  Now, add another  3 quarts of hot water.  close door, latch door, and push in cycle button.  Let it run for about 30 seconds and then open door and see if the wash arm under the top rack has moved in rotation from the original location from when you opened the door.


Post# 638599 , Reply# 9   11/12/2012 at 18:57 (4,154 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
KDS-21 Not Washing in The Top Rack

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Chris is likely correct, bad inlet valve. You can check by allowing DW to fill and when it is washing open and close the door several times [ restarting it each time ] and note weather the top arm is in a different position each time you open the door, if not pour an extra gallon of water in the bottom of the DW and try this test again, if it now turns you can conclude you are not getting enough water. You can remove the inlet valve and look at the inlet and see if the inlet strainer screen is completely packed solid with sediment, if it is try cleaning it and reinstall. If there is only a little bit of stuff on the screen don't waste your time cleaning it, just buy a NEW valve assembly and install.


Post# 638608 , Reply# 10   11/12/2012 at 19:32 (4,154 days old) by STEVET (West Melbourne, FL)        
Water Level is the key!

Let the machine fill up during the main wash period of the cycle and then open the door. The water should be up to the top of the of the filter or just below the large center section of the washarm. If it is not that high, then washing ability will be compromised to the upper arm and not much washing will be done by the lower arm either. If it doesn't get high enough, you need to check the fill valve strainer and also make sure that your home's water pressure is correct. If you have low pressure in the house, then the dishwasher will not fill enough and give you the same symptoms.

Post# 638609 , Reply# 11   11/12/2012 at 19:39 (4,154 days old) by buschhome ()        
KDS-21 Not Washing in The Top Rack

I just tried it - first prior to adding water - no change in position of upper arm....after adding 3 quarts - arm was rotating and spraying - - - Yeah!!! So now the hard part - what does the inlet valve look like and where is it located?

If I need a new one - can you provide a source and part number?




Post# 638620 , Reply# 12   11/12/2012 at 20:05 (4,154 days old) by STEVET (West Melbourne, FL)        
You did well!

That was the trick!!!
The valve is located on the lower left side of the machine mounted on the black crossmember. I will venture to guess it is nothing more than a clogged strainer screen.
It is not difficult to clean but you have to make sure that the water and electricity are both off and then you can remove the valve and disassemble it and clean it. If you remove the water line from it, you can take off the 4 screws that hold the mounting plate to the valve and that will reveal the strainer screen. It will either be a round, tubular screen which you can pull out with a needle nosed pliers or a tweezer. Clean it under running water and a fine brush and replace it. If it is the other style which looks like a small thimble, you can gently pry it out and clean it as well. Then put it back and reassemble the valve and you should be good to go for another 20 years!

The new valve is a single coil type but is still available under part number 4171000. See the link. I do believe it will go right in and they provide a new hose for it so you should have everything you need.

Hope this helps
Steve


CLICK HERE TO GO TO STEVET's LINK


Post# 638627 , Reply# 13   11/12/2012 at 20:34 (4,154 days old) by qsd-dan (West)        

qsd-dan's profile picture
If you decide to get a new water valve, get one from Ebay. I recently installed my KDS-18 and found a very slow leak at the water valve. I ordered the 4171000 single coil valve to replace my original double coil one.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO qsd-dan's LINK on eBay


Post# 638628 , Reply# 14   11/12/2012 at 20:38 (4,154 days old) by buschhome ()        
KDS-21 Not Washing in The Top Rack

I'll let you know tomorrow how things turn out. I'd really like to fix it as it just seems to be so well made compared to today's models. Thanks for the help and tips so far - I am so glad that I found this site.

Post# 638633 , Reply# 15   11/12/2012 at 20:45 (4,154 days old) by appnut (TX)        
as it just seems to be so well made compared to today's

appnut's profile picture

And that is definitely an understatement. 


Post# 638697 , Reply# 16   11/13/2012 at 05:14 (4,153 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)        

christfr's profile picture
nothing fancy you just know when the kids just dont sound right ha ha. with mine after it would fill id look in there and there was like hardley any water but after the new valve bingo a full fill.. and away we go again

Post# 638704 , Reply# 17   11/13/2012 at 07:15 (4,153 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
DW Inlet Water Valve Screens

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Generally do not clog especially if you have have a tank style water heater as heavy particles stay in the bottom of the tank. We do see cases where the plastic dip tube in water heaters disintegrates and the little plastic particles will clog the inlet screen, however by the time this happens every shower head,  faucet air=rater and washers hot inlet screen have already clogged and the customer is well aware of the problem.

 

If you do have to clean the domed style rounded screen it is best not to try to remove it to do so. If you remove it and bend it ever so slightly and it does not seat perfectly when reinstalled a small particle can get past the screen and make the valve stick open and you will have an uncontrolled FLOOD of HOT WATER on your hands.

 

When an Inlet Valve is over 20 years old and is showing any sign of problems and when you can still get a good quality replacement I would do so.

 

The 4171000 valve does not come with a new hose and you normally donot need one to use it on a KDS-21 DW, Good Luck. John


Post# 639969 , Reply# 18   11/18/2012 at 13:06 (4,148 days old) by buschhome ()        
Kitchenaid Dishwasher Imperial Selectra 21 - Upper Rack NOW

Just an update - I ordered the fill valve and replaced it out today - My dishwasher is ALIVE - and I am mucho dollars to the good!!! I've attached a photo of the valve - could not believe the junk in there. Thanks for all the help on this little project - not sure I would have known where to start ptherwise - You guys are most excellent.

THANK YOU , THANK YOU , THANK YOU.


Post# 639981 , Reply# 19   11/18/2012 at 13:41 (4,148 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
You are most welcome!! Glad you didn't throw the machine out.

Post# 640017 , Reply# 20   11/18/2012 at 15:59 (4,148 days old) by stevet (West Melbourne, FL)        
Start with basic troubleshooting!

Just like you did and see what you get... A nice big reward! Since you had the single coil valve already in your machine, the replacement was an easy job. It is truly amazing what those filters can stop. I picked up a discarded Bosch(european design for the US market) 2 years ago that someone tossed and when I got it home, no water went into it at all. Pulled the valve apart and it was like cement inside. There was no saving it. Bought a new one and the machine ran and cleaned like a champ. I was really impressed with it to be honest and it even dried the dishes very well. No 3 hour cycles either. It took no more than 90 minutes and it was done even with filling it on a cold water line and set for the hottest cycle!

Enjoy your "NEW FOUND" machine!



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