I little puff of smoke came from my Kitchen Aid Dishwasher Model 8531654 and now is not working. The lights are on but it never cycles through.

This is most likely a faulty sensor. This sensor is usually located inside the dishwasher and can be replaced relatively easily. If you have used the rinse aid recently, you can try running a cycle with it enabled to see if it makes a difference. You may need to manually re-calibrate the sensor according to the instructions stated in your user manual.

Most all dishwashers are controlled by the wall switch close to the sink. This switch is often shut off accidentally because it looks like a light switch. Be sure this switch stays on.

Actually, if you look closely at that Low Rinse button or emblem, you will see a little lock symbol above the words "Low Rinse", and I'll bet THAT light is the one that is on. Basically, you have the control lock (or child-lock) turned on. To turn it off, you have to press and hold the Sanitize button for 3 to 5 seconds until that light goes off. Now your dishwasher will work!

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The lock lever on the unit --- that is shaped like a U --- if you have it ---may be bent a little. You can move it to the correct position - usually down a little --and your door will stay closed

I have had this problem. Mine didn't work for over a week and by the time the repair man came over to 'replace the board' it suddenly worked. The guy told me that if you use ANY type of liquid dishwashing soap (for your sink) and any residue/bubble is on the dishes, it can cause your dishwasher to break. I have no idea why but I've been really careful to make sure I wasn't using dish soap prior to putting them in the washer.

I've had 3 service calls on this dishwasher since I purchased it 3 years ago. I'm having similar service issues with my Kitchen Aid Fridge. And of course no help from Kitchen Aid.

Hi,


The clean light usually will blink due to a failure to heat the water properly. This dishwasher looks for a temperature rise of the water during a heating cycle if it fails to see this rise for multiple cycles it may shut down and blink the clean light.
There are a few things to check before resetting the control.

-The unit not being level so both door switches do not make contact
-
The sump plugged up so water is not pumping across the heater (see sump clean out below)


- Not enough water filling the dishwasher


- The heat element is not working


To reset the control use this key dance within 5 seconds press:HEATED DRY, NORMAL, HEATED DRY, NORMAL
This will cause you to enter the diagnosis cycle once this is finished or you hit cancel the control should be unlocked and ready to use.


Thank you !

To invoke the diagnostic cycle, perform the following key presses in less than 6 seconds while in standby.

Heated Dry -> Normal -> Heated Dry -> Normal

Invoking the diagnostic cycle clears all status and last run information from memory and restores defaults. It also forces the next cycle to be a sensor calibration cycle. (quoted from service diagnostic cycle notes in troubleshooting guide)

Hi bluepanther,

I'm Harvey the Master Plumber.

Your problem is: You have a Kitchen Aid Dishwasher that has a light on saying CONTROL LOCK,of which when on you can't do any wash cycles.You tried doing canel out,but no help.What can you do to get off so can use unit?? Is there a reset button underneath that will reset unit.you are very mechanical and can pull unit apart if needed....Thanks Scott

Should not be nessessary. The lock is for keeping playfull little hands from getting into trouble. You must have inadvertently activated it. Try pressing and holding the "heated dry" button. This should deactivate the lock after about six seconds. This same procedure will reactivate it should you feel the need.

Feel free contact me again!
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Thank you,
Harvey your Master Plumber

I ran into this same problem. Cutting the power didnt reset it.

After power reset, mine had the normal led blinking. If I pressed cancel, then the cancel and china button leds would start blinking too.

I pulled out the trouble shooting guide (from behind the baseboard kick panel under the dishwasher door). It that if the dishwasher wont run and button LEDs are blinking there is a short circuit in the keypad. It gave a keypad diagnostic sequence which I followed. (disconnect keypad and try to initiate the diagnostic cycle without the keypad by disconecting the yellow leads to OWI sensor twice in less than 6 seconds.

I could hear the diagnostic cycle start, so the problem is a bad keypad. Will order a new one tomorrow and let you know if it works.

On mine the "normal" light was the one that was flashing; after a cycling of the breaker switch in the electrical main panel and closing the washer door, it went to a 2 minute rinse before shutdown.