The door would not shut. We checked all around and nothing was blocking the door from shutting. We determined the latch on the door was not releasing. I forced the door shut. The touchpad works...lights come on but unit will not operate. The release handle on the front just wiggles back and forth without effect. Lowes says it is one of three parts...none returnable. Any thoughts on what part and whether this is something average consumer can self fix? Thanks.

replace latch, will require some door disassembly. Check eBay for latches Around $150.00

Something must be holding in the switch where the door latch normally locks in. Or the little latch might be broken inside and keeps sending the signal that the door is shut. Check inside and see if anything is blocked in.

Hi....I think I can help you with this. I checked a troubleshooting site for Crosley dishwashers, and there could be a couple of reasons why the cycle stopped:
1. The thermal fuse shuts off power to the dishwasher if it overheats. If the thermal fuse blows, it will prevent the dishwasher from starting. To determine if the thermal fuse is defective, use a multimeter to test the fuse for continuity. If the thermal fuse does not have continuity, replace it.
2. The door switch prevents the dishwasher from running while the door is open. If the door switch is defective, the switch will prevent the dishwasher from running even when the door is closed. To determine if the door switch is at fault, use a multimeter to test the switch for continuity. If the switch does not have continuity, replace it.
3. The door latch ensures that the dishwasher door latches shut. If the door does not latch properly, the door switch might prevent the dishwasher from running. If the door latch is broken, replace it.
You can also find more related troubleshooting here:
http://www.repairclinic.com/RepairHelp/How-To-Fix-A-Dishwasher/31---/Dishwasher-won-t-start
You'll need the model number for your particular dishwasher.
I hope this has helped you.
2. 2

see this causes, and use the common sense. God bless you
When your dishwasher door has a problem, check these: Latch Springs Hinges Door seal Latch The latch on many dishwashers is adjustable. If your door is easy to close but difficult to latch, adjust the latch to let the door close more easily. If you can't see any way to adjust the latch, yours may be fixed in a certain position. Check for other reasons for the latching problem. If the latch has worn out in a way that makes it impossible for you to close the door properly, you probably need to replace the latch. Springs Your dishwasher has two springs that counterbalance the weight of the door. If either or both of these are broken, the door feels quite heavy and you need to replace both springs. Hinges The hinges are important to the door closing properly. If they're bent or deformed, you probably need to replace them. Once bent, only rarely can they be straightened well enough. Door seal If your dishwasher is new--or if you have just replaced a door seal--the door may be difficult to latch for a week or two. If the tightness persists, though, try adjusting the latch, if it's adjustable. If it's not adjustable, there's probably nothing you can do immediately. But try running the dishwasher on the highest heat cycle to help the seal conform to the door. Otherwise, the seal should compress over time.

Usually you can just push it back by opening the handle (pull as if you are opening the door) and pushing the latch back with a screwdriver.

is the door ajar light on sometimes also when driving? I had a similar problem with the light staying on. I determined that it was the passenger front door latch sticking. I opened the door, then took a screwdriver to push the latch shut on the door jamb. (Make the truck think the door is shut even though it is open). Then lubricate that jamb and pull the handle open to open the door. Keep doing this (closing with screwdriver and opening with handle) until the latch works freely. This took care of my light and door ajar problem.

Check the latch mechanism on the door. There is a piece of the latch that closes around the clasp on the door frame. sometimes this closes when the door is open and you can't shut the door. Take a screw driver and flip this latch piece open and close the door.

The door latch could be closed, in other words, the door thinks it shut into the striker. Take and hold the door handle open, like your trying to open the door, hold the handle out or up and at the same time open the latch, it may be stuck or closed...If that's not it, you may have to re-align the latch to the striker, the striker will come loose with a torx bit. Loosen it up, and move it around and re tighten, it's a trial and error deal, just keep trying different positions until if works right...

sounds like the door latch has triped while the door was open.the door is held closed when the latch grabs around the u shaped bracket you can see when door is open.make sure door is unlocked then with a screwdriver or even a pen stick it in the door latch and slide the latch over to reset it.

It means your door is not shutting or latching

Check for debris and nothing stopping it from shutting

If not replace door latch(some parts lists call it door switch)

its most likely not actuating so it wont advance to the next part of cycle.

if not latch could be bad control board, id try latch first is cheaper and more common