Soap still in large container on door at end of cycle. recently had center spinner arm and main console replaced twice. doesnt clean well. residue left in cups

Wild guess, by turning off and on you have oppened the soap dispenser before the cycle starts. So, set to the cycle you want then close the door. If it does not start at your chosen cycle, advance the dial untill a click and it should start.

Since you mention that your dishwasher has a dispenser has a flap that opens but detergent does not come out, the problem could be the wash water is not getting to it.

Can you confirm if during wash cycle the water is circulating especially through the top wash arm.

Keep a small container on the top rack and see if there is water collected in it at the end of cycle. Alternatively run the dishwasher with door open (you will have to find a way to enable the door switch inside the latch).

Please post a comment to confirm what you observe.

you will have to replace the cup / they do go bad . . dw will not clean well if you don't replace it as the dergt need to go in at the right time mm

the spray arm may be blocked see when door is open that it can spin and is any thing blocking the spray arm ,check if any food particles is in spray arm or tower check these areas out first write back if this dosnt work out.thanks

Try different detergent types--liquid instead of powder, capsules instead of liquid. Don't put large dishes near the door that might block spray. Check the spray holes in the spray arms for blocking.

Start the cycle, then after it fills with water, open the door. Move the wash arms so they all point directly to the front and put a mark on the ends with a magic marker. Close the door and let it run 10 seconds or so, and re-open the door. If any of the wash arms did not move, clean out the holes in the wash arms (seeds, candy wrappers, twist ties, bones, broken glass, etc.). You may also need to clean out the screen at the pump inlet, but usually the spray arm holes are the problem.

Hi, I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife alsocomplained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried invain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them inminutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if theheating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I wouldbuy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it isworking... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...
Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

heatman101

Asker's Testimonial " explanation very clear. will give it a go and seehowsimple it was. thanks Ronnie " - ronnieshomes

removed and disassembled inlet water valve - minature basket filter was clogged with white particulate which felt gritty.  cleaned and reassembled and reinstalled.  Works fine now.  Idiot repairman never mentioned a filter but wanted to replace entire valve at cost of 140 dollars including service call.   sears sux bigtime. And, from my experience with Fixya, so does your service since I never heard a thing since July EXCEPT for an offer to upgrade.  Thanks for nothing.

no this means that your bottom arm of the machine is not working correctly and the water pressure therefor is to low to get the soap out.
Clean lower arm (spinner) and all filters. You will see that will help the problem

check the wash arms to see if food has not cloged the holes stopping water getting through
if these are clean the machine may not have enough water entering machine
also check how you stack machine