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Caution:
Please read our safety
information before attempting any testing or repairs.
Before testing the heating element, unplug
the dishwasher or shut off the power at the fuse
box or breaker
panel to avoid an electrical shock hazard.
The heating element is used to heat
the water and/or dry the dishes. If it does not function properly
it can result in unsatisfactory cleansing of the dishes or the
failure of a cycle to complete properly.
First, open the door and look into
the tub and locate the heating element (if it is covered, remove
the lower dish rack and cover). The heating element has two terminals
which extend through the bottom of the tub, note the general location
where they go through.
To access the heating element's
wiring, remove the lower panel located beneath the door. The panel
is usually held in place with two screws either above or below
the panel. It may be necessary to first open the door to the dishwasher
to reach the screws over the panel, then close the door to remove
the panel.
Look into the lower access area
and locate where the terminals come through the tub. Each terminal
has a wire connected to it. Label the wires and the terminals
so that they can be properly reconnected. Pull the wire off of
each terminal; they are connected with a slip on connector. Firmly
pull the connector, do not pull on the wire. You may need to use
a pair of needle-nose pliers. Inspect the connector and terminal
for corrosion. If either is corroded they should be cleaned or
replaced.
Test the resistance
of the heating element using a multitester.
Set the multitester to the ohms setting X1 and touch one probe
to each of the terminals. A normal reading will be somewhere between
infinity and zero. The exact reading differs by manufacturer and
model. If the indicator does not move (infinite resistance) or
moves to the other extreme of the scale (zero resistance) then
the element is damaged and should be replaced.
 Click
Here to Order a Multitester from Ace Hardware
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