How to Troubleshoot Not Filling With Water in a Maytag Dishwasher

ID: 221455

Description: [youtubevideo|oUKRbqIluCw]Use this guide to...

Steps:

1. Unplug the dishwasher or shut off the circuit breaker before touching the door wiring.
2. Turn off the water supply if you need to move the dishwasher or disturb the water inlet valve.
3. Remove the racks and dirty dishes so you can work in the tub and door.
4. Keep the floor dry and wear work gloves if the door edges are sharp.
5. Lift and lower the float in the tub to make sure it moves freely.
6. Listen for the float switch to click as the float moves.
7. Restore power only for live testing, and do not touch wiring or terminals while the dishwasher is energized.
8. Confirm that the water inlet valve is being activated during the fill portion of a cycle, or confirm that a known-good valve is installed.
9. If the float switch or water inlet valve fails these checks, diagnose that part before opening the door harness.
10. A broken door wire is likely if the float switch and water inlet valve test good but the dishwasher still will not fill.
11. Open the door and support it because the spring may try to pull it upward.
12. Use a T20 Torx bit to remove the perimeter screws from the inner door.
13. Set the screws on top of the dishwasher or another stable surface.
14. Do not drop screws into the tub, because they can fall into the food-grinder area.
15. Lift the door panel away from the door.
16. Set a small weight on the open door if the spring will not let it stay down.
17. Move the panel aside without pulling on any attached wires.
18. Keep the dishwasher unplugged while the panel is open and wiring is exposed.
19. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw on one side of the lower panel and the matching screw on the other side.
20. Loosen the lower slotted-panel screws a few turns with a T20 screwdriver.
21. Lift the slotted panel off the loosened screws and leave those screws in place.
22. Remove the two strain-relief screws with a Phillips screwdriver.
23. Pull the strain relief away to expose the wire bundle.
24. Inspect the wire bundle where it bends between the door and the dishwasher body.
25. Look for a wire that is broken completely or cracked at the bend.
26. The wires flex every time the door opens and can break at that bend point.
27. Match the broken ends by insulation color and by their position in the bundle.
28. If the wire colors are hard to tell apart, compare the bundle positions instead of guessing.
29. With the strain relief removed, open the door and gently pull the wires upward to gain more working length.
30. Do not pull hard enough to stretch or break other wires.
31. Make sure the dishwasher is unplugged or the breaker is off before cutting, stripping, or crimping wires.
32. Strip only enough insulation from each broken end to fit a 16 to 14 gauge butt connector.
33. Slide one broken wire end into one side of the connector.
34. Slide the matching wire end into the other side of the connector.
35. Crimp both sides of the connector with a wire crimper.
36. Tug gently on both wires to confirm that the crimp is tight.
37. Wrap the repaired area with electrical tape.
38. Fold the repaired wire back into the bundle without making a tight kink.
39. Use electrical tape to secure any loose wrap around the bundle.
40. Position the strain relief over the wires so it holds them in place.
41. Reinstall the two strain-relief screws with a T20 Torx bit.
42. Check the top side of the door for pinched wires or excessive movement.
43. A small amount of wire movement at the bend is normal.
44. Bring the door panel back to the door without twisting or tugging the attached wire.
45. Leave the door switch connected if the wire gives you enough room.
46. Disconnect the door switch only if you need extra space and can remove the connector without damage.
47. Position the panel so water will run into the tub instead of through the door.
48. Start all T20 Torx screws by hand before tightening them.
49. Tighten the door screws evenly with a T20 Torx bit.
50. Keep hands away from exposed wiring and restore power only for testing.
51. Use a non-contact voltage tester if you are not completely sure the dishwasher wiring is de-energized before touching it.
52. Select Heavy Wash and close the door.
53. Listen through the first part of the cycle, which drains leftover liquid from the tub.
54. Keep listening for the fill portion and confirm that water enters the dishwasher.
55. If the door is opened during fill, water may continue briefly until pressure is relieved.
56. Unplug the dishwasher or shut off the breaker before touching the door or lower panels again.
57. Reinstall any lower panel or door panel left off for the test.
58. Tighten the loosened slotted-panel screws.
59. Restore power and run the dishwasher.
60. Open the door after it fills and confirm that the water level reaches the float.
61. If the tub still does not fill, recheck the butt connector, wire routing, float switch, and water inlet valve.