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Valerie Posted on Dec 07, 2017
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Soap dispenser does not open during washing - Dishwashers

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Ernest

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  • Posted on Dec 07, 2017
Ernest
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Dishwashers have a soap dispenser located on the inside of the door. When the timer cycle calls for the soap to be emptied into the dishwasher, it either sends electricity to a bi-metal switch that opens it, or it mechanically opens the soap dish. On many dishwashers, a plastic actuator arm mechanically links the timer to the detergent cup. When the timer reaches the proper time in the cycle, the timer activates a lever that opens the detergent cup. If the linkage is broken or defective, the cup stays closed after you've closed it. Check the link and repair or replace it, as necessary.

The detergent cup itself can become clogged with old dried detergent that prevents it from opening. Sometimes just cleaning the cup takes care of the problem. If not, you probably need to replace the entire cup assembly.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 878 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 16, 2008

SOURCE: soap dispenser door doesn't open during cycle of my Maytag dishwasher

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.

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Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Dec 13, 2008

SOURCE: Dishwasher soap dispenser won't open during cycle

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.

Anonymous

  • 187 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 14, 2009

SOURCE: soap dispenser does not open during wash cycle

  • Hi,


    please try this...
    imer:
            On mechanical set ups the timer is attached to the detergent cup by an actuator arm. This arm is usually plastic, and if it is broken or otherwise defective then the detergent cup wont be opened. Check the linkage to make sure it is functioning correctly.
    Bi-metal switch or wax motor:
            The bi-metal switch is simply a very precise device that warps, bends, or otherwise deforms when power is supplied to it. The timer operates the bi-metal switch, which inside the dishwasher door. Then the switch is supplied with power and it is working properly, the bi-metal switch deforms away from the latch holding the detergent cup closed and the cup opens dumping the detergent into the washer.
            Some dishwashers have this switch wired through the motor power feed or the heating element. If they are defective then the detergent door will not operate correctly. If the switch itself is defective then you will need to replace it. Another type of mechanism is a wax motor. Wax motors are sealed units filled with wax and found in newer dishwashers and work by heating the wax and forcing up a piston which in turn mechanically opens the detergent cup door. This type of device is also controlled by the timer.
     
    Detergent cup:
            Sometimes the detergent cup becomes built up with old detergent that prevents it from opening correctly. It's usually a simple fix to clean this out. If cleaning it is impossible then you may need to replace the cup assembly.

    please rate my suggestion..

Anonymous

  • 2 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 07, 2009

SOURCE: Dishwasher soap dispenser sticks

Your soap is clotting because there isn't enough water being sprayed around inside.  The water spray washes the soap out of the dish, if all is working well.  My machine had the same problem.  I had sufficient water level, but the spray head wasn't spinning very well.  I found the end-most hole in the spray bar to be plugged.  It is the end hole that provides a jet that makes the head spin.  I cleaned a bunch of debris out of the hole and the mchine started working and cleaning like it was new.  That was quite an axccomplishment since the machine is 15 years old.

Mukesh Kumar

  • 3230 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 08, 2010

SOURCE: soap dispenser does not open during wash

Hi there,

Well you can please follow the below steps -
1. Remove any dishes in the dishwasher. Unhook the dishwasher's dish trays or racks from their tracks, and set aside. Empty the soap dispenser if it contains unused soap that failed to dispense. Use a wet rag to wipe down the interior of the dishwasher, as well as the inside of the dispenser.
 
2. Close the dispenser, and shut the dishwasher door. Turn the dishwasher on to a manual setting, then stop it and open the appliance. Check to see if the dispenser is open. If it is, continue to Step 2. If the dispenser is closed, skip to Step 4.

3. Switch dishwasher soap. Some dishwasher dispensers have difficulty with dry or liquid dishwashing soap, depending on the make and model of your dishwasher. Incompatibilities typically result in the dispenser sticking shut, which explains why the dispenser opens when empty. Switch to liquid soap if you are using dry powder soap, or vice versa.

4. Check the dishwasher soap dispenser's spring. The spring is located behind the dispenser top's hinge. Consult your dishwasher's original manufacturer's manual or user guide to find a replacement spring. Pop the old spring out with a screwdriver, and replace with a new spring. This should resolve any issues related to the dispenser failing to open.
Please post comments if you need more help or information..........

Good Luck!!

Thanks

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Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

My soap dispenser is not opening during the wash cycle,so the there is no soap being dispensed during the wash. This has always worked before, then one day it just stopped opening. What's the problem?

Hi,
There are three common problems that cause the Soap Dispenser or Cup not toopen. I have a tip that will explain these problems in detail....

Dishwasher Repair Problem Detergent Cup does not Open

heatman101
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Soap dispenser will not open during was cycle.

Probably a faulty solenoid on the dispenser. Not replacable new dispenser needed
Jan 20, 2010 • Dishwashers
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My soap dispensar inside does not open during wash

its just a bad (failed ) dispenser. replace it . this should correct problem . mm
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My whirlpool dishwasher soap dispenser is apparently not opening during cleaning. I find dirty dishes and clumps of soap in the hopper. Whirlpool quiet partner II

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?


Apr 17, 2009 • Dishwashers
1helpful
2answers

Dishwasher problem

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.
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Soap door won't open during wash cycle

its either the dispenser or the timer/pcb.
Mar 01, 2008 • Dishwashers
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Where's the soap going?

Clean the dispenser water hose ,stuck by liquid dried soup./ the hose going to washer was open during washing time so all soap loaded was gone /
During water refill if nothing water pass to soap dispenser the soap will remain intact / but in washing time all soap will directly washout dispose to drain hose without to clean clothes.
10helpful
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Dishwasher soap dispenser won't open during cycle

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.
Oct 26, 2007 • Dishwashers
1helpful
2answers

GE Monogram DIshwasher

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.
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