A dishwasher can be a great time-saving appliance, but if the dishware is still wet following the wash and dry cycles have finished then the dishwasher is only doing half the job. Heat and venting would be the two things the dishwasher needs to efficiently dry the dishes, plates, glasses, and silverware. Some dishwasher models rely on the heat generated by a final rinse cycle to do the drying, while other models will use an electrically-powered heating element to heat the air inside the tub, to heat water itself for washing and rinsing, or to sanitize the dishware. The hot, moist air will exit through a permanent vent or via a vent in the dishwasher door controlled by a solenoid or wax motor.
Testing a Dishwasher Heating Element
If your dishwasher uses a heating element and you've noticed the dishware isn't drying properly, you should first inspect the element for any corrosion, blistering, or cracks. Any visible damage is really a strong indicator that the element has burned out and can need to be replaced. If there is no apparent damage, use a multi-meter to test the heating element for continuity – a continuing electrical path present in the part:
- Your
initial step is to remove the heating element, or isolate it, from the base of
the dishwasher tub. - Set
the multi-meter towards the lowest setting for “Ohms of resistance”. - Touch
the red multi-meter result in one heating element terminal and the black lead to
the other terminal. - If
the meter displays a reading between 10 and 50 Ohms of resistance, the heating
element has continuity and should be working properly. - If
the meter display does not change when the leads touch the terminals, or
changes insignificantly, then your heating element has no continuity and can be
considered defective.
Uninstalling the Dishwasher
In order to
remove the heating element for testing in order to replace a defective element having a
new one, you will probably need to fully uninstall the dishwasher. While this process
may vary depending on the model, you should use these steps as a general guide.
- Shut off the power supply to the dishwasher to prevent shock, as well as the water supply.
- Remove the screws or fasteners to detach the dishwasher's lower access panel or panels.
- Use pliers to unthread the water supply line or elbow fitting in the water supply valve – be ready for some water to spill out.
- Remove the junction box cover and separate the power wires by untwisting the wire nuts. Release the grounding wire too.
- Unthread the power cable strain relief nut so you can detach the cable in the junction box.
- Detach the drain hose in the sink drain or garbage disposer.
- Unthread the screws securing the dishwasher's wall mounts to the cabinet, countertop, or floor.
- To slowly move the dishwasher, you may need to adjust the legs to reduce the appliance.
- Gently pull the dishwasher away from the cabinet and countertop.
- Place a weight on top of the dishwasher to help stabilize it.
- Reach under the dishwasher to disconnect the heating unit wires.
- Unthread the nuts securing the heating unit terminals to the base.
- Open the dishwasher door and take away the lower dishrack.
- You may need to remove the lower wash arm too.
- Pull the heating element terminals from the base and detach the element from the retaining clips.
- Install a new heating unit, or replace the existing one, by securing it within the retaining clips as you insert the terminals with the holes in the base.
- Reposition the wash arm, if required, and replace the lower dishrack.
- Thread the nuts to secure the heating element terminals.
- Connect the wires to the terminals.
- Remove the weight and slide the dishwasher back into the cabinet.
- Adjust the legs if necessary.
- Rethread the screws to secure the wall mounts to the cabinet, countertop, or floor.
- Reattach the drain hose towards the sink drain or garbage disposer ensuring the hose is elevated above its connection point.
- Reinsert the ability cable strain relief within the junction box and secure with the nut.
- Secure the grounding wire then join the black wires together and the white wires together while using wire nuts.
- Replace the junction box cover.
- Reattach water supply line or fitting towards the water inlet valve port.
- Realign the lower access panel or panels, while using screws or fasteners to secure.
- With the reinstallation complete, turn water supply and power supply back on.
Find the best Dishwasher Heating Element with Repair Clinic
Need to find the right heating element that works together with your dishwasher? Type the full dishwasher model no . into the RepairClinic.com search bar. The web site stocks Whirlpool dishwasher heating elements, Kenmore dishwasher heating elements, GE dishwasher heating elements, Bosch dishwasher heating elements, and more, but you'll want to make sure you're acquiring the heating element that is the exact match for your model.
