Help!! Our dishwasher all of a sudden has absolutely no power. We checked all wiring, can't come up with anything. I do not see a model number but it's an old Kitchenaid Varicycle top loading, portable with a butcher block. We bought it at a resale shop for $15 a couple years ago. We have an old farmhouse and it fits in perfectly. We live in a rural area and the local repair shop wants $100 just to check it over!
These models were famous for breaks in the wiring harness that goes to the lid switch. You need to replace (not repair) the 2 black wires that go through the hinge into the lid. Easy repair, just a little time-consuming. Buy the manual for the KitchenAid KD-5 top load dishwasher in the Automatic Ephemera section for the details.
"KitchenAid 5 Series Top Loading Portable Dishwasher Service Manual
Comprehensive service manual for all 5 Series KitchenAid top loading dishwashers. Models include Vari-Cycle: KD-5, KDA-5, KDW-5 and Electra: KDY-5, KDE-5, KDC-5. Sections include General Information, Cycle Description, Servicing Instructions, Service Tips, Schematic Wiring, Timer Sequence Charts. Dishwashers $7.99"
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