GE 2800 Blocked Wash Arm

Your wash arm has a magnet in the end, on outside of the tub there is a sensor that senses the magnetic field every time the arm passes by it. It sends this signal to the processor which counts the passes and computes the revolutions per minute.

Should these be outside of the accepted parameters it will shut down the dishwasher and the alarm will go off.

I usually try to start with the simplest things first. I doubt very much the magnet has come detached, but it's not impossible. If you rotate your wash tower (I I remember correctly, counter clockwise, but try both ways, it will unscrew. Below is a Philips head screw that you can remove then lift off your wash arm. Do not lose the bearing and washer. You can shake the arm lightly and see if you can hear the magnet moving around.

Check your sensor, at the wash arm level on the outside of the tub and make sure that the wires are attached. Follow the wires through the harness and make sure there is no damage and that they are connected to the terminal block on the path and termination at the control board.

I once had a GSD 1200 where the bearing was worn and it occasionally touched the side of the tub, and wobbled a bit. It could be your "orbit" is more eccentric due to a worn bearing and possibly the magnet is not getting close enough to the sensor.

These are my first thoughts to check. Others may have some ideas.

Unless it has been removed, you have a document package located underneath the tub and the frame member of your dishwasher, on the right hand side. It's in a small paper envelope/packet. Remove the lower front panel and look for it. GE places it there, and it has a schematic, cycle information, and ways to troubleshoot problems in both the mechanical portions of your machine as well as the the electronics. It's ver useful. There are diagnostic tools built into your processor for the service man. This packet will show you have to implement these.

Unfortunately, mine seem to have vanished or I could help you more.


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Post# 1134526 11/25/2021 at 12:41 (875 days old) by gnaark (Dallas, TX)
Checkrate/Likes Hey guys, I have an old GE 2800 Dishwasher that's been giving me a blocked wash arm error after 2min in the cycle. It happened in the past but it was due to something clearly blocking its path. I emptied it completely but it was still happening. I tried to give the arm a good cleaning and removed some bits that were clogging its holes but it didn't fix it. I can't figure out how to remove the arm (if anyone has detailed steps or a video that'd help), also as you can see from the linked video it does spin freely. What's going on? CLICK HERE TO GO TO gnaark's LINK

Post# 1134529 , Reply# 1 11/25/2021 at 13:14 (875 days old) by reactor (Oak Ridge, Tennessee-- )
Checkrate/Likes 4 *some things to check* Your wash arm has a magnet in the end, on outside of the tub there is a sensor that senses the magnetic field every time the arm passes by it. It sends this signal to the processor which counts the passes and computes the revolutions per minute. Should these be outside of the accepted parameters it will shut down the dishwasher and the alarm will go off. I usually try to start with the simplest things first. I doubt very much the magnet has come detached, but it's not impossible. If you rotate your wash tower (I I remember correctly, counter clockwise, but try both ways, it will unscrew. Below is a Philips head screw that you can remove then lift off your wash arm. Do not lose the bearing and washer. You can shake the arm lightly and see if you can hear the magnet moving around. Check your sensor, at the wash arm level on the outside of the tub and make sure that the wires are attached. Follow the wires through the harness and make sure there is no damage and that they are connected to the terminal block on the path and termination at the control board. I once had a GSD 1200 where the bearing was worn and it occasionally touched the side of the tub, and wobbled a bit. It could be your "orbit" is more eccentric due to a worn bearing and possibly the magnet is not getting close enough to the sensor. These are my first thoughts to check. Others may have some ideas. Unless it has been removed, you have a document package located underneath the tub and the frame member of your dishwasher, on the right hand side. It's in a small paper envelope/packet. Remove the lower front panel and look for it. GE places it there, and it has a schematic, cycle information, and ways to troubleshoot problems in both the mechanical portions of your machine as well as the the electronics. It's ver useful. There are diagnostic tools built into your processor for the service man. This packet will show you have to implement these. Unfortunately, mine seem to have vanished or I could help you more.

Post# 1134531 , Reply# 2 11/25/2021 at 13:30 (875 days old) by gnaark (Dallas, TX)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks for your response. So, I tried to turn the wash tower for a while both counter and clock wise but nothing is coming off. Which is puzzling me. Also, there is indeed something moving inside the washing arm. It's a piece of clear blue plastic that seems to be at least 1cm long (maybe more) and maybe 4mm thin. Could that be part of the magnet?

Post# 1134533 , Reply# 3 11/25/2021 at 13:41 (875 days old) by reactor (Oak Ridge, Tennessee-- )
Checkrate/Likes *magnet* To be honest, I've never seen the magnet. If you have a strong hand magnet put if over the wash arm and see if the blue object is attracted to it. If it is, you may have found the problem.

Post# 1134537 , Reply# 4 11/25/2021 at 14:09 (875 days old) by reactor (Oak Ridge, Tennessee-- )
Checkrate/Likes *override* Until you can find and fix the problem you can override the alarms and run your dishwasher. I think you hit it the start button twice in succession but I can't remember exactly. It seems like two times within two seconds. I used to do it all the time when my detergent door sensor would shut down the machine..but it's been years. Your information packet will tell you. But the good thing is you can keep using your machine.

Post# 1134539 , Reply# 5 11/25/2021 at 15:04 (875 days old) by gnaark (Dallas, TX)
Checkrate/Likes Oh really! That�s super good to know, thank you so much

Post# 1134543 , Reply# 6 11/25/2021 at 15:39 (875 days old) by gnaark (Dallas, TX)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *it worked!* omg it worked; I was able to override it. Thanks, my dude you just saved my post-thanksgiving clean up. Happy Thanksgiving!

Post# 1134545 , Reply# 7 11/25/2021 at 15:45 (875 days old) by Cam2s (Nebraska)
Checkrate/Likes The wash tower screws off in a clockwise direction. If you haven�t taken off in a long time it will probably give some resistance. Before you get too involved with taking it I would make sure that the wash arm is rotating at the correct speed. The multi orbit system is more complex than what meets the eye and there could be issue there causing to not turn as fast as it should, thus causing the alarm. Of course checking the two magnets would be a good first step too. If you read on previous threads the 2800s where notorious for this fault, hopefully you get it cleared up.

Post# 1134552 , Reply# 8 11/25/2021 at 17:54 (875 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)
Checkrate/Likes *GE used a reed switch* In some GSD2800 sensors.* It can be replaced with a generic one, such as Technics used in their 1980s/90s cassette decks. But - it's more likely that was, indeed, your magnet. Can you post some pics? We might be able to point to the part of the arm you unscrew. *Some had a HALL sensor, but we've had three and they all were reed. GE learned by doing in that era. Before they stopped learning.

Post# 1134573 , Reply# 10 11/25/2021 at 22:13 (875 days old) by bradfordwhite (central U.S.)
Checkrate/Likes 2 My parents bought that new in 1985 for their new home. It lasted until 1999 when it was switched out for a KA Superba, but it was still working. I don't even remember seeing any rust on the racks though it did have a quiet squeal every time the wash arm hit a certain spot in it's revolution. View Full Size

Post# 1134602 , Reply# 11 11/26/2021 at 11:58 (874 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)
Checkrate/Likes *That squeal was* Almost certainly the Teflon bearing or seal under the arm.

Post# 1134563 , Reply# 9 11/25/2021 at 21:17 (875 days old) by reactor (Oak Ridge, Tennessee-- )
Checkrate/Likes *override* You are most welcome, gnaark! So glad it worked for you. Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving, and hope your GE 2800 made clean up easy. Barry