Soap dish does not open during normal cycle on my maytag dishwash

Hi,
Checkout this tip that I wrote about that problem...

Dishwasher Repair Problem Detergent Cup does not Open
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4225828-dishwasher_repair_problem_detergent_cup

Dishwasher Maintenance
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4319937-dishwasher_maintenance

heatman101

I bet your clumps of soap began with the beginning of the use of a different DW detergent powder.

Try this (trust me) Go buy a box of brand name Dishwasher powder (e.g. Electrosol or Cascade) Use it for two loads of dishes and report your results back here. OK?

I have this same problem, plus the pre-wash soap dispenser doesn't open sometimes even though a service guy replaced that. Could he have replaced just one side and not the other? this dishwasher also has a new motor. sometimes it washes beautifully. but other times it does not. even if both dispensers opened.

2 things will lead to soap not dissolving, first is cold water, so make sure you have hot enough water. second and more likely is the dispenser is not opening at the proper time , instead fully opens at end of cycle during the dry cycle never even getting wet, and washing dishes with no soap, id replace the dispenser or make sure your not stacking items in front of dispenser hindering the opening. also powder is best, tabs and gelpack put undo stress on the dispenser door not always allowing full operation...

Symptoms:
Dispenser lid is open. Caked powder at (what would be during normal operation) bottom edge of soap dispenser or caked powder fallen onto dishes or dishwasher bottom. There may be loose powder in rest of dispenser or spilled down inside door or onto dishes underneath dispenser.

Solution:
Keep the area around the soap dispenser lid clear when loading the top tray.

Explanation:
The soap dispenser needs to swing open during the wash cycle. In many dishwashers the top tray has an indentation as wide as the lid of the dispenser. This allows the top tray to be as large deep as possible while still allowing space for the dispenser lid to open. People often pack their dishwasher with things overhanging this gap.

During the wash cycle the catch will release but the overhanging cutlery or crockery prevents the lid from opening all but a few degrees. Some water will splash in but not enough to wash out the soap powder. The soap powder at the bottom of the dispenser will then cake.

When the front door is opened the spring loaded lid, which is partly open, will of course swing fully open and you'll be convinced that the lid opened normally during operation. If this is the problem then if you're very careful and open the door very slowly you can actually hear the lid flip open. Also, depending on when the lid opens, how far it opened during operation and how fast you open the door you may find soap powder spilled down to cover the dishes at the front or down the inside of the door. This happens when you first open the door and obviously there couldn't be loose powder there if the powder had emerged while there was water washing around. Seeing the lid open as you open the door is a lot harder but can be done on some machines.

Peace,
You need hands on service!

If you are you using a liquid soap or packets that will be the main problem.If your unit fills with water circulates the water and drains the water,and also heaters are working then you probally need to change to cascade powder soap.The film on the dishes is soap.The unit has so much build up in it that when it gets to the rinse cycle it is rinsing dishes with soapy water.You need to get 2 medium bowls fill both 2/3 up with white vinager,place one in upper rack and one in lower rack and run unit on longest cycle letting the vinager splash out during wash.do this with no soap and no dishes.Having soft water will allow you to use less soap.

Kqon, looks like your dispenser has a wax motor. I think the first thing you have to do is remove the inner door and inspect the soap dispensor assy. See if any of the moving parts are broken. This wax motor is 120V so you can run a cheater cord to it to see if it works, but be very careful when doing this. It will expand the plunger and open the flap. If the wax motor operates with 120V applied to it then you want to see if you have power coming from the timer. It will be the tan wire # 27 on the timer harness. You also want to make sure the spring and pin are in place on the dispenser flap. Your part number for the wax motor is 902899. Catriver.

I had the same problem with my GE Adora. The dishes were getting cloudy and the soap dispenser would not open. Turns out the hard water deposits were causing the soap dispenser to stick shut. I purchased and used Dishwasher Magic which is a dishwasher cleaner designed to remove limescale, rust and buildup. I used as directed and now my dishes are sparkling and the soap dispenser pops right open.

Before taking anything to bits, check you aren't just loading the machine in such a way that something (for us, it's usually a frying pan) is stopping the soap dispenser from springing open all the way. A.