I have a 17 - 18 inch dishwasher and the water runs out before the wash cycle is over. If I have not used it for a while, when I open it there is water in the bottom. What am I doing wrong??

Remove the auto liquid , replace with water.
Start a washing cycle, wait two minutes till you hear the water filling inside. Open the door and pour a litre or so of Vinegar inside the machine. Let the rest of the cycle run.

This should clean out the inside of the machine if its not too bad. Otherwise you will have to find the "chemical sensor" and mechanically clean whatever is stopping it from sensing the water. It usually looks like two pencil ends about an inch apart.
If your machine looks "white" inside when its dry (from hard water) you might need a stronger cleaner than vinegar, or just try using two litres.

Common Problem

1. Confirm the wash water is hot
   1. Try heated wash(sani wash) if available
   2. Run hot water in sink to warm up before starting
   3. At least 120 degree Fahrenheit water temperature
      
2. Open door check wash arm position start washer for a minute
   1. Confirm wash arm has rotated
   2. Check for plugged spray tips at either end of wash arm.
   3. Use small tweezers to remove
   4. Check for rack and dishes interfering with arm rotation
3. Place cup in upper rack with opening up cycle washer.
   1. Confirm that cup quickly fills with water
   2. Not washing check water level in tub mim 1 1/2 inch
4. Discontinue use of rinse/dry liquid additive.
   1. Confirm rinse/dry additive not leaking from dispenser into tub
   2. Washer detergent contains sparkle additive and too much sparkle/rinses/dry additive will coat dishes
   3. Try alternative wash detergent that contains minimal rinse/dry additive and use without liquid rinse/dry additive.
5. It will take several wash cycles after the elimination of rinse/dry to purge the oily film from dishes and machine..
6. If success "joy" is achieved with no additives then cautiously add back wash detergent with additives. Additives are important to facilitate drying and protecting the glassware china from leaching. The leaching process permanently etches the surface of glassware leaving a cloudy appearance.

Start dishwasher. Stop after a minute or so. Check the water level in the tub. On a older model I would expect about 2 inches of water in the tub. About 1/2 inch or so below heater.

If water OK than I assume you can hear the pump running.

If pump running and enough water than I would assume a blocked wash arm.

• First rotate by hand and make sure that it doesn't bind or interfere with rack.
• Check carefully the holes at the ends of the arm looking for debris that collects. Seeds and such love to collect at the tips preventing the jet of water that provides the rotation force from escaping. Use small tweezers to grab debris and pull through hole
• Blocked water return screen. Look for clear plastic etc that covers the return of the water to the pump sump.
• Place small cups right side up in upper and lower rack. Cycle machine for a minute or so. Confirm cups are filling with water!!

If all checks OK than try running water at sink for several minutes to confirm water is very hot. Start cycle knowing inlet water to dishwasher is hot. Evaluate results.

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Hello

Ensure the Frigidaire dishwashing machine is fully connected to a power supply. Shut the dishwasher door firmly and select a wash cycle. Press "Start" to begin. Check that the "delay start" option was not selected.

2 Verify that dishwashing detergent is placed in the dispenser and choose a longer washing cycle for heavily soiled items. Do not overload the dishwasher, as this may prevent proper cleaning.

3 Check the household water pressure, which should be between 20 and 120 PSI (pounds per square inch). A water pressure gauge can be obtained at most home repair stores or hardware stores.

4 Turn on the hot water at the sink closest to the dishwasher prior to starting the dishwasher to raise the water temperature inside the dishwasher. Check the hot water temperature, which should be at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for proper cleaning.

5 Check the spray arms in the dishwasher and move dishes that may be blocking the water spray or preventing the spray arms from rotating properly.

Read more: Frigidaire Dishwasher Wash Cycle is Not Working ' eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7877923_frigidaire-wash-cycle-not-working.html#ixzz1Xow3qbbv

Verify that dishwashing detergent is placed in the dispenser and choose a longer washing cycle for heavily soiled items. Do not overload the dishwasher, as this may prevent proper cleaning.

Check the household water pressure, which should be between 20 and 120 PSI (pounds per square inch). A water pressure gauge can be obtained at most home repair stores or hardware stores.

Turn on the hot water at the sink closest to the dishwasher prior to starting the dishwasher to raise the water temperature inside the dishwasher. Check the hot water temperature, which should be at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for proper cleaning.

Check the spray arms in the dishwasher and move dishes that may be blocking the water spray or preventing the spray arms from rotating properly.

check the drain spigot under the sink to see if there is a blockage.also you can fit a check kit to the drain hose.you can get it from asko

sounds like your heating element is not working prtoperly or you are not washing in very hot water stop washer in middle of cycle and open it if steam come out hot steam be careful keep face away when you open itif not hot that could be the problem,A appliance serviceman once told me if water is hot enough and end of wash and rinse cycle not to run the dry cyvcle just open dryer a few inches and let the steam out Run hot water over a plate or a pot and set it in the drain tray in your sink notice how fast it dries itself while draining in the tray very hot water in a dish washer dopes the same good luck with this problem I hope my advice helps you oh yes one more thing always run the hot water till it get hot before you turn your dishwasher on

I lifted this off the tech sheet for your dishwasher, it explains your problem of long wash times.
Heater or temperature
sensor problem:
■ Open connection or
component in heater or
temperature sensor
circuit(s).
■ Open in heater or faulty
temperature sensor.
■ Faulty heater drive
circuit or temperature
sensor input on control

check for blockage starting at air gap and disposer.trace back and clean

Hi Dirty Dish gang.
After having 2 appliance repairmen here, I now have the latest scoop on our dishwasher problems, $200 later!
Los Angeles IS currently having hard water issues. Also, all the new cleaning gels etc. are actually a cause of our dishwasher problems.  
So, here is what we need to do:
1. Use Cascade POWDER detergent only.  Make sure is is just "plain" no "scented" or "complete"  or gel, etc. (I have tried a phosphate free powder and gel and this is a cause of our problem as well!) 2. Use Jet Dry in the dispenser (set it to a 2-3 opening) 3. Make sure water is at least 120 degrees 4. Only run dishwasher on "normal" setting.  All others just run it longer, hence causing more water stains. 5. Do not pre-wash dishes! You can knock of chunks with a "non" soapy brush, but don't rinse (the oils actually help to clean the dishes) 6.  Do not wash sponges in dishwasher.
Acid Wash: The repairman just gave my washer an Acid Wash today. It says it is an acid derived from lemon, I got mine from Carters appliance in Torrance, CA for about $19. I am to run a normal cycle with the above mentioned Cascade after this "acid cycle" is finished.
If you are still having problems:
Monthly maintenance: Glass Magic: Buy a box of Glass Magic (near the Cascade)  Use 1 Tbsb in main detergent compartment of dishwasher along with the Cascade, till washer starts working again. White Vinegar: You can run an empty dishwasher with white vinegar once a month.  Fill a bowl with 2 cups vinegar and place on bottom rack.  Then run as a normal cycle...this allows vinegar to disperse slowly.
So far it seems to be working.  Good luck.

It is very common that high eficiency, low water using dishwashers take longer to finish all cycles. The best way to "hurry" the washing is to make sure that the water heater is providing hot water of at least 120 degrees. But no hotter then 140 degrees.
If the dishwasher runs even longer, check to see is the dishwasher is actually connected to the cold water line. This dishwasher can be run from cold water but the water heating phase in the cycles will add much time ti the entire cycle.

This unit has a sensor that detects the detects the water clarity towards the end of the wash cycle. Rinsing the dishes may speed the load a little, but encourage not to go crazy on the rinsing because the dishwasher actually counts on the food particles to help clean the dishes.
Also, note that the final (third) blinking light means drying. You can simply open the door anytime after the final draining and power off the dishwasher, allowing the hot dishes to air dry.
Hope this helps. Please resply with your findings. Thanks!