Dishwasher My LG dishwasher has a strong burning smell that seems to be originating from the control panel (strongest when just finished). It works perfectly fine, and is not one of the products that have been recalled. Do i need to call an technician, and more importantly is it safe to continue using this machine?

the main control board is fried from what you've described, you will need to dismantle it and remove the board (there will likely be visible signs of damage if there was a burning smell) relatively easy and cheap to replace

Hi friend, thank you for your post!

I understand that your Frigidaire dishwasher is giving off an electric burning smell and you are seeing smoke coming out of the door vent. It could possibly be an issue with your control panel or door vent, both have electrical components inside of them. Since it could be either one of these underlying issues I would recommend having a technician come out to your home and diagnose and repair the dishwasher. Hope this helps. -Matt

Had the same issue with a 903sa. Strong burning smell. Continued to run for a while then just died. Opened the control panel (4 screws holding the plastic part at the top of the door on - open the door to access).

Mains feed into the controller was totally fried. Case was all melted. Very nasty. There was nothing obvious on the Board other than a mains resistor that looked like it had been pretty hot at some stage. The three pin mains connector (at least I think it was 3 pins) was just a big, charred bit of goop.

test this steps and fix it. God bless you

Thermal Fuse

If the dishwasher won't start the thermal fuse might have blown. The thermal fuse helps to prevent damage to the dishwasher by turning off power so that it doesn't overheat. Once blown, the thermal fuse will have to be replaced for the dishwasher to work. The thermal fuse is usually located in the control panel on the control board or mounted to the bottom of the tank behind the lower panel. The thermal fuse can be checked for continuity.


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Door Switch

The door switch, or switches, are sometimes called interlock switches. The door switch prevents the dishwasher from running while the door is open. If the dishwasher won't start, the switch or switches might be defective. To access the door switches, remove the control panel or inside door panel - depending on the model. They can be tested for continuity.


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Door Latch

If the dishwasher does not start, the door latch assembly might be defective. These are normally made of plastic and cannot be repaired. If the door won't latch and the door latch is broken, replace it.


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Main Control Board

The main control board provides power to nearly every component of the dishwasher. If the dishwasher won't start the main control board might be defective. You should first check for more common parts. Many times control boards are replaced unnecessarily because the problem was not diagnosed properly.


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Touchpad and Control Panel

If the touchpad is defective, the control board might not get the signal for the selections made. If the dishwasher won't start and the display doesn't seem to change properly when the buttons are pressed, the touchpad might need to be replaced. On some models the touchpad and control panel are sold together and will need to be replaced at the same time.


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Touchpad

If the touchpad is defective, the control board might not get the signal for the selections made. If the dishwasher won't start and the display doesn't seem to change properly when the buttons are pressed, the touchpad might need to be replaced.


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Timer

The timer allows power to flow to the proper parts at the proper times. If the dishwasher won't start, the timer might be defective. Keep in mind that timers are often misdiagnosed as the cause of a problem. Check other components first before replacing the timer.

Certainly could be a pinched wire in the door panel. I would remove the panel and see if anything is pinched or being interfered with like the rinse dispenser solenoid.

Dave

Hello,

one or more components is burnt on the board of the unit. Or there might be a bridge of wire which is causing the smell....

Hello,

it could be the motor depending on where it's coming. You can remove the lower panel, there are only two screws that hold it on. Look under their and inspect the motor.

Another part that could cause this issue is the mother board. The board is located behind the control panel. Remove the screws around the door frame to loosen and remove the control panel.

On most of these you also have to remove the plastic shielding that cover the control board. To do so remove the three or four screws that mount the board down.

Often these control boards will burn and create a smell like this.

Let me know.

The motor may be burned out or there may be another electrical issue which would also cause the symptoms you describe. Call around and try to get an estimate, and at the same time look at new ones on sale.............one question is how secure will u feel with that maching......now that it has acted up like this.

This may be the smell of Varnish used in motor winding. When we turn on the machine it gets heated a little bit resulting in a burning electrical smell.

Ron, is this a dishwasher or clothes washer? If a dishwasher, check the wire nuts in the junction box. If there isn't a melted wire nut from a loose connection. Then you have to pull the outer door panel, then you can pull the control panel assy. This will require a t20 torx bit.