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Most brands use a tray to hold the solution with a siphon assembly that sucks the solution and water out via a siphon action. This requires enough extra water be added to the compartment to raise the fluid levels over the top of the siphon assembly and establish a siphon. Dirty or clogged siphon tubes are the most likely reason for this not to function. Also, the extra water may not be getting into the compartment. This could be a bad water valve or faulty detergent drawer cover, on some models.
Most
of the time this is a dispenser housing issue. Remove the dispenser tray from washer and make sure it is cleaned very well. In the more serious clogs, you may need to clean the hose from the dispenser to the drum.
Make
sure the detergent dispenser drawer is opening. This issue occurs due
to jammed soap dispenser. Dispenser Distribution System is located in
the top left corner of the washer. The system consists of a motor that
turns a cam gear. The Detergent Dispenser Assembly is located under the washer top. Begin by removing the washer top, console and front panel.
Separate
the water inlet and window washer tube from the boot. Pull the water
inlet tube from the outlet connector of the detergent dispenser. NOTE: When reinstalling the water inlet tube, wet the water inlet gasket on the detergent dispenser with
water only. Do not use any other lubricant. Align the tab on
the water inlet tube with the indentation on the dispenser connector and
slide the tube onto the detergent dispenser assembly.
Remove the screw securing the front of the detergent dispenser assembly to the top front frame member.
Disconnect
the vent tube from the detergent dispenser assembly. Remove the screw
securing the detergent dispenser assembly to the top left frame member.
Slide the assembly back slightly and lift the assembly out.
To remove the detergent dispenser motor assembly,disconnect the cam follower spring and lift the cam follower from the diverter cam and rotate the diverter cam clockwise to access the motor
mounting screws. Check for all the connections to the dispenser motor
or anything obstructing the dispenser drawer functioning.
Pull the diverter out and clean it, including the shaft, spring, etc.
The most common problem with the detergent doors on KitchenAid
dishwashers is that they either don't open during the cycle or open
only halfway. Before looking into more complicated repairs, make sure
that the door is able to open. Check the seal around the door and the
door latch for soap- and food-related gunk, and scrub it off if
present. Sometimes this can keep the detergent door from operating
properly. Consider switching detergents, as some liquids and
pouch-style dish detergents can gum up the detergent dispensers. Also,
make sure that there is nothing blocking the detergent door when the dishwasher
is loaded. Because of the location of the detergent door, a large item
such as a cookie sheet or a pan can prevent the door from opening. Run
the dishwasher through a cycle without anything placed in front of the
detergent dispenser and see if that solves the problem.
Broken Timer
KitchenAid dishwashers
rely on an internal timer to complete the wash cycle properly. When
this timer malfunctions, certain steps in the wash process (such as the
release of soap from the detergent dispenser) can be interrupted. If
the dishwasher detergent door is either not opening or appears to be
opening late in the cycle, this is likely the mechanical culprit. A
broken timer isn't something that's simple to replace without knowledge
of dishwasher repair, so it's best to consult a professional if you
suspect that this is the problem.
Malfunctioning Door Components
For the detergent door to function properly, all of its mechanical
components must be in working order. Older dishwashers' detergent doors
rely on a spring-loaded hinge to pop all the way open when the timer
gives the signal. If the door doesn't swing all the way open instantly
when it's manually released, the spring may need to be replaced for the
dispenser to operate properly. If the particular model is newer and
does not rely on a spring to open the door, chances are it either uses
a wax motor or a bi-metal switch to release the detergent door at the
appropriate time. If either of these components is dying, that can mean
that the detergent dispenser will not operate properly.
First make sure that nothing is blocking it.. when you load the dishwasher...next make sure your dishwasher cycle is NOT on rince and hold ( water spraying on a plate symbol) as this cycle will not open the despence door..
last you can remove the screws in the door check the vax motor and or check if you are getting power to the despencer ( no power replace control)
power to vax motor replace despencer motor
Hope it helps if Not let me know more about you problem..I can help
Most likely the solenoid that operates the lever on the detergent door is faulty. Only solution is to replace the whole dispenser, unfortunately. It is possible that the controller is not activating the dispenser but less likely.
I have the same problem and found the below on the GE website. It says to purge the detergent from the Smart Dispense. I am in the process of doing it now...we'll see if it works:
How to Purge Incorrect Liquid Detergent from the Bulk Dispenser
The purge routine operates the bulk dispenser pump continuously to drain the bulk dispenser tank when an incorrect liquid was poured in the tank. The process consists of setting up the dishwasher to run the purge mode, running the purge mode and then cleaning up the purged detergent.
Follow these steps carefully to have a successful purge run.
For Top Control Models:
Make sure Pre-wash, Added Heat and Heated Dry LEDs are off.
Press Heated Dry and Down Arrow buttons together for 3 seconds. All LEDs will illuminate.
Press Added Heat and Up Arrow buttons together for 3 seconds. The Anti-bacteria LED will illuminate
Press Start button one time
Select Normal and make sure Pre-wash, Added Heat and Heated Dry LEDs are off.
Press Start button one more time and dishwasher will run a complete cycle without the main motor running. Cycle is complete when the Clean light illuminates. This should take approximately 60 minutes.
Open door and wipe up excess detergent from the door and tub
Flush remaining detergent off by pouring water on the door and tub where there is detergent residue.
Remove SmartDispenser cap and fill tank with water and then replace cap.
Repeat Steps 1 through 9 one time.
Then, repeat Steps 1 through 6. When the Clean LED illuminates, the system is purged and ready to be refilled with the correct detergent.
Front Mount Controls (same as above except for the changes in the two below steps):
2. Press Heated Dry and Cookware together for 3 seconds. All LEDs illuminate.
3. Press Added Heat and Cookware together for 3 seconds. The Anti-bacterial LED illuminates.
The other end of the dispenser to outer drum hose only connects to the outer drum and if you remove the top cover of the machine, you will see it clearly. You can unclamp the hose from the bottom of the dispenser and feel inside the hose for any obstruction. Do not remove the hose from the outer drum. Pour some hot water down the hose and squeeze the hose from top to bottom to remove build up of detergent and softener on the inside walls of the hose.
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