Thread Number: 88619  /  Tag: Vintage Dishwashers
Breaking my head (again) 63 Whirlpool SKU-70-0 dishwasher operating erratically
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Post# 1131591   10/21/2021 at 13:46 (888 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture

Turquoisedude strikes again...

I finally got around to installing the 63 Whirlpool 'Telephone Dial' dishwasher.  The 89 Maytag WU404 got removed and scrapped much to Hubby's dismay.... but such is life.

 

I will freely admit that I could not do a complete cycle test of the machine prior to installation due to limited testing space and even less 'workshop' space at the house in St-Liboire where the machine has lived since it was rescued from Cincinnati, OH in January of 2019.    Initial testing revealed a bad water inlet valve and a leaky drain pump.  Both issues seemed to be resolved with new components.  When I installed the SOB, the drain pump to drain chamber joint started leaking, so I had to do some creative plumbing to beef up the coupling.  My solution worked and there are no leaks, drips, or dribbles.  You'd think everything would be fine, but no... 

 

My first 'installed' test of the machine was 'dialling' a Ready Rinse cycle - the dishwasher seemed to work fine.

The next was a Normal Cycle... that didn't go quite so well.  

 

The dishwasher started, the circulating pump ran, heating element came on, and the timer was running and advancing.  Trouble was, no water ever was let into the tub nor did it drain out as the timer moved through the 1st rinse, 1st wash, 2nd rinse, and 2nd wash portions of the cycle.  As the timer dial pointer got to the bottom of the dial, the drain pump kicked in and drained the tub.  The machine then filled, washed, and drained for both of the final rinses.   I allowed the timer to cycle through dry to the 'Off' position and the cycle completed normally. 

 

I'm scratching my head because this is seeming like a timer issue, however, since the machine did actually cycle through the 'Ready Rinse' or final rinse portion of the operation cycle I am not convinced the timer has bad contacts...  That being said, though, I have not extracted the timer to do any checking.

 

One further thing that has me scratching my head - on the last full-cycle test, about when the timer was indicating that it was at the first wash, I heard a "clunk" and the circulating pump stopped.  The timer, however continued to run.  I believe this was when the 1st wash detergent dispenser got tripped. 

 

I've got a manual for the 1959 through 1963 Whirlpool dishwashers, however my specific model is not included.  The issue I seem to be having with the lack of water coming in at the start of the full cycle seems to indicate a bad pressure pad switch, yet I have tested it and it seems fine. 

 

What am I missing here??  

 

(Once again, my apologies for the wonky picture orientation... photos taken by a mobile phone and posted directly here) 

 


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 3         View Full Size


This post was last edited 10/21/2021 at 17:23



Post# 1131977 , Reply# 1   10/26/2021 at 12:31 (883 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
And a week later....

turquoisedude's profile picture

Yes, I can be a stubborn old cuss... I wasn't about to give up on the 63 Whirlpool dishwasher that easily.   My theory was there was some kind of timer issue, but I wasn't convinced there was an issue with the timer contacts or cam (it was just a hunch...)  Long story short, I took the control panel apart and tested the ciruits to various components.  All looked good.  Just for the thrills of it all, I tried running the machine by gently advancing the timer dial until the machine started.  As in previous tests, the circulation pump motor and timer ran but this time, there was a fill for what I presumed to be the first prerinse.  The dishwasher ran for about 5 minutes, drained, then filled again.  This had not happened on previous tests.  Being the smartass that I am, I tried slipping the nylon dial cam onto the timer shaft.  As I pressed it into place, the circulation pump stopped....

And the light went on...  those two 'bumps' above and below the timer shaft are some kind of microswitch.  As the machine cycled further, I was able to pause operation by pressing one or the other of the microswitches.  Hence, why I observed the Rinse Dry cycle seemed to work while Normal Wash did not.  I no doubt had not aligned the timer dial correctly when I had the control panel apart to repair the door switch.

Now, how to get the Telephone Dial timer reseated and running consistently again.  This may involve a lot swearing...LOL 


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Post# 1131987 , Reply# 2   10/26/2021 at 13:44 (883 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

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Sounds like you’re headed in the right direction.

Post# 1131998 , Reply# 3   10/26/2021 at 16:22 (883 days old) by quincyman (Oldsmar, FL)        

Looks like a beautiful and well built machine. I hope you get it up and running. When you do, do you think you could share some pics of the innards??? Would love to see it.

Post# 1132001 , Reply# 4   10/26/2021 at 16:47 (883 days old) by appnut (TX)        

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Go Paul!! I know you're gonna get it done and sequencing correctly automatically!!!

Post# 1133335 , Reply# 5   11/12/2021 at 12:59 (866 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
An update - all good news

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I had to let you all know that my theory about the timer dial held up.  After reinstalling it, I observed the machine cycling through all operations correctly.  It was time to test it with some dishes!!

Hardly a Bob-Load but enough to test the cleaning ability of this nifty vintage dishwasher.  It performed marvelously!


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 3         View Full Size
Post# 1133337 , Reply# 6   11/12/2021 at 13:01 (866 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

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Here's what she sounds like when in operation.  For a machine with NO sound insulation, it's pretty damn quiet.  Well, OK, compared to the GE impeller-wash dishwasher ANYTHING is quiet... LOL 

 





Post# 1133338 , Reply# 7   11/12/2021 at 13:04 (866 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

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And just to close the loop, I reinstalled the lower access panel and gave the Telephone Dial another call.  The dishes were washed and dried to perfection.

The KDS54 is going to get jealous...LOL 


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 2         View Full Size
Post# 1133339 , Reply# 8   11/12/2021 at 13:08 (866 days old) by swestoyz (Cedar Falls, IA)        

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Oh this is excellent, Paul! So glad you were able to figure out the issues with the timer dial phasing. I would have never guessed those two bump outs were actually switches activated by a cam on the dial!

Ben


Post# 1133348 , Reply# 9   11/12/2021 at 14:08 (866 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Congratulations Paul. Glad your intuition worked out.

Post# 1133358 , Reply# 10   11/12/2021 at 15:52 (866 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

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Excellent fix.
So many lame jobs could be had on a dishwasher with a rotary dial.


Post# 1133360 , Reply# 11   11/12/2021 at 15:55 (866 days old) by peteski50 (New York)        
Whirlpool!

peteski50's profile picture
Paul you did a great job on this dishwasher. I find this phone dial timer very interesting!


Post# 1133390 , Reply# 12   11/12/2021 at 20:28 (866 days old) by Repairguy (Danbury, Texas)        

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Congrats Paul!

Post# 1133391 , Reply# 13   11/12/2021 at 20:35 (866 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        
Paul,

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Glad to see that it's working properly.  Congratulations  on another fine job!

 

But, one question that I have to ask.....

 

Why are your dishes white, and not TURQUOISE???

 

lawrence


Post# 1133409 , Reply# 14   11/13/2021 at 07:01 (866 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Turquoise dishes

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Fear not, Lawrence, I have LOTS of turquoise dishes... unfortunately they're all down in the house in Ogden.  The dishwasher is in our 'city' house in St-Liboire where I have way less space (and stuff)...  Honestly, I have just ONE washer and dryer hookup!  How I cope with laundry here is beyond comprehension... LOL  


Post# 1133427 , Reply# 15   11/13/2021 at 12:55 (865 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        

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(grasping pearls)
Just the ONE hook-UP ! You are just scraping by aren't you! Oh my stars...

laughing

 

BTW- Your toaster pics on FB are perfection.  I've never seen chrome so shiny.  


Post# 1133621 , Reply# 16   11/15/2021 at 18:27 (863 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
question for turqouisedude

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if you found this particular model kenmore dishwasher again would you install it in your house in st liboire model with the white start button and timerdial?

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Post# 1133623 , Reply# 17   11/15/2021 at 18:37 (863 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)        
What in the world is going on here?

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Did someone "update" this gem with a bit of latex paint and a painting pad?

  View Full Size
Post# 1133645 , Reply# 18   11/15/2021 at 21:49 (863 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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What a super cool machine, Paul.  Knew you could do it!  :-)

 


Post# 1133656 , Reply# 19   11/16/2021 at 06:42 (863 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        
Reply #16 Kenmore Rapid-Advance timer dishwasher

turquoisedude's profile picture

Pierre-André, if I found another Kenmore dishwasher like this I would definitely get it!  The one I used to have, although it did not have the rapid advance timer was still a good dishwasher in my opinion.  As for installing it, I've got a line up of other candidates that would be a better match to the 1960s look and feel I am trying to create in the St-Liboire kitchen.  There's a 64 or 65 Kenmore Roto-Rack that would be the next candidate now... 


Post# 1133662 , Reply# 20   11/16/2021 at 09:48 (862 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)        
Good Job!

jetcone's profile picture
That is one lovely machine!



Post# 1133687 , Reply# 21   11/16/2021 at 14:24 (862 days old) by rpms (ontario canada)        

rpms's profile picture
The dishwasher with the paint on it was mine. Got into my mother's hands hence the sloppy paint job.
First dishwasher I owned when I moved out. I would cut across a used appliance store and saw my Aunt's dishwasher there. I went back the next day to see if they would sell it.
They said no it was too far gone.
I went back and night and I stole it. Good thing it was a portable. Rolled it down 10 blocks. Had a heck of a job getting it up two flights of stairs by myself.
Got the dishwasher fixed and it lived for two moves. It ended up at my mothers house and she kept it in the laundry room and store pots and tin foil in it.
It eventually rusted in the bottom and mom had smashed the top shower head off. There was a broken wire too.
It was just thrown out about 18 months ago. I kept the racks and bottom spray arm and the utility basket.
I was on a streak of tossing out dishwashers for three weeks. Luckily the next door guy is in the scrap business.
The second dishwasher was my mom's 28 year old Kenmore that died. I had a spare one in the basement and it died too.
Made the mistake of buying mom a Frigidaire. Small town support the locals.
Biggest piece of crap ever. Two service calls in one day and I fixed it twice.
Takes forever. Not great at cleaning and everything comes out soaking wet.
The utensil basket from the old Kenmore is in it.
I have Paul's green Kenmore portable in the basement and another almond Kenmore Ultra wash. Should have had it sprayed white.
Kept the wood top to the first portable. Going to get it cut into serving boards.



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