Dishes aren't coming clean. Seem to have grit on them and the drain pump is noisy when running. I assume I have to replace drain pump. Suggestions? Is this difficult?

Sounds like drain pump or drain line is ibstructed v

Possible that the pressure of the pump for the spraying arm is very low or is absent. Check for power to the pump when the CYCLE is ON. If there is no power then the controller is faulty If there is power then the pump is faulty. Also check for clogging on the spraying arm, it must be able to rotate with power or the pump action is low or there is dirt within the system. If so remove and clean using a jet wash and reset.

Hello

Water Inlet Valve

A dishwasher's water inlet valve is its most common part to fail. When your dishes are not being fully cleaned, quite often a faulty water inlet valve is to blame. Test your dishwasher's water inlet valve, and if it is no longer functioning as it should, you will have to replace it.

Upper or Lower Spray Arm


Your dishwasher has a lower spray arm. It may also have an upper spray arm at the top of the dishwasher. These spray arms are designed to shoot high pressure, high temperature water at your dishes. It is possible that the holes of the spray arms, where the water comes out, are blocked with debris, affecting wash quality. You should inspect your dishwasher's spray arms regularly. Clean out the spray arms as need be.

Heating Element

Water temperature is a key element in achieving clean dishes. A dishwasher's heating element is not designed to heat the water that enters it. Rather, the heating element is designed to maintain the heat of the water that enters the dishwasher. Its a good idea to run the hot water in your sink for a couple of minutes before you run the dishwasher. Just to make sure the water is nice and hot before it enters the dishwasher. If the water is unable to stay hot, it can adversely affect your dishwasher's cleaning ability.


Filter/Drain Grate

There is a filter in your dishwasher. Its function is to keep large particles of food and foreign objects away from the pump. Many of the newly-manufactured dishwashers have self-cleaning filters, and routine cleaning isn't a concern. However, some other dishw ashers need to have the filter removed and cleaned regularly. If the filter or grate is clogged or blocked with debris, it may interfere with the normal functioning of your dishwasher. Consult your owner's manual for specific directions for removing your dishwasher's filter and cleaning it.

Detergent or Detergent Cup

It could just be that you aren't using enough soap to completely wash your dishes. Your dishwasher may be designed to dispense soap at two different times during the wash cycle. If you don't fill all of the detergent cups, then the diswasher will lose a cleaning cycle. Also, if you use a gel-type detergent, try switching to a powered kind. Powders tend to dissolve better in hot water. And don't buy in bulk. Detergents are most effective in the first two weeks. After that, they decrease in potency.

Alternatively, your dishwasher's detergent cup could be defective in some way. It is possible that it is gunked up full of built up detergent, and a thorough cleaning may be enough to get it working again. If that doesn't do the trick, you probably need to replace the entire detergent cup assembly. If your cup isn't even opening, please see our section My dishwasher detergent cup won't open.

The problem is most likely that there is still water residue at the bottom of your machine. If the machine is not fully drained it picks up some of the residue and sprays that onto the dishes during the final rinse, leaving an unhealthy and unsightly film on everything.
Remove the bottom strainers plates and make sure that the outlet pipe is not kinked, that there is nothing obstructing the pipe or the pump or selector valve. If possible back flush through the outlet pipe and try draining the machine once more before using it again.

Hi,

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...

Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

Dishwasher Residue and Film on Dishes

heatman101

Asker

I have the same problem. We cleaned the dishwasher out because the grit was coming from the dishwasher...however, we still have dirt/grit in our dishes, but a lot less. How do we get rid of this all together?

Hi and welcome to FixYa. I am Kelly.

Dirty dishes post cycle are a sign of draining problems however this is a list of what it could be.

1. A partially clogged drain
2. The timer motor is not functioning properly
3. A broken or worn pump impeller

Here is what you need to do:

Check your entire drain system. Start at the final outlet and work your way backward to the motor pump connection on the dishwasher.

Suspected areas are.

a. The sink connection outlet is clogged (this can be inside a garbage disposal.

b. The air-gap is clogged in the very top part of the air-gap (Usually located on the back of the sink and is around 3 inches tall) Remove the cover, unscrew the top nut and check under the horse shoe bend inside the plastic top for obstructions. Clean as needed)

c. There is debris on top of the the motor pump housing blocking the inlet drain. (This would be inside the housing of the lower wash arm on the very bottom)

d. The motor pump outlet drain port is partially blocked. (only accessable from the motor pump exit hole after drain hose removal.)

A partially blocked inlet tub drain to the motor pump would also explain why the lower part of the dishes are not getting clean. Additionally you would have spotted dishes post cycle.

When the drain is partially blocked some models use the float level switch in the tub to control the advancement of the timer. If the water does not drain the motor pump continues to run and run and the cycle does not advance until the tub is drained and the float switch senses same. i.e extended cycle

One more thing to check is the lower wash arm holes for debris or obstructions.

Thanks for using FixYa.

Kelly

DISHES SHOULD BE FREE OF LOOSE OR DRIED FOOD AS THE PUMP WILL NOT RELIABLY PUMP ALL LOOSE DEBRIS OR FOOD THAT IS INTRODUCED, CHECK FOR DEBRIS IN BOTTOM AND REMOVE.

That "grit" you are referring to is actually coming from your detergent. It is part of the cleaning enzymes that assist in scrubbing your dishes. If it is ending up on your dishes, you are on the right track. You need to check the main wash pump and clean as necessary to ensure there are no obstructions on the sump area. The drain pump inlet is also in this area and should additionally be checked for debris. If you could please post back with a model number, I may be able to give you further guidance on how to disassemble the spray arm so you can access this area.

run a load without dishes and see if it drains properly if not your drain hose is pluged or its not draining properly