Dishes are always dirty, maybe even dirtier after running dishwasher. has hot water, lower arm moves.

If the dishwasher won't clean dishes, check the lower wash arm assembly. If the lower wash arm isn't getting water, all of the dishes in the lower rack will come out dirty. Check to be sure the lower wash arm assembly spins freely. Also check to be sure the little holes in the lower wash arm aren't clogged or blocked.

Maybe this blog will help.
http://on-timeappliance.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-dishwasher-is-not-cleaning-as-well.html
Leave a comment and let me know or if you need further information.
On-Time Appliance

Hello

Water Inlet Valve

A dishwasher's water inlet valve is its most common part to fail. When your dishes are not being fully cleaned, quite often a faulty water inlet valve is to blame. Test your dishwasher's water inlet valve, and if it is no longer functioning as it should, you will have to replace it.

Upper or Lower Spray Arm


Your dishwasher has a lower spray arm. It may also have an upper spray arm at the top of the dishwasher. These spray arms are designed to shoot high pressure, high temperature water at your dishes. It is possible that the holes of the spray arms, where the water comes out, are blocked with debris, affecting wash quality. You should inspect your dishwasher's spray arms regularly. Clean out the spray arms as need be.

Heating Element

Water temperature is a key element in achieving clean dishes. A dishwasher's heating element is not designed to heat the water that enters it. Rather, the heating element is designed to maintain the heat of the water that enters the dishwasher. Its a good idea to run the hot water in your sink for a couple of minutes before you run the dishwasher. Just to make sure the water is nice and hot before it enters the dishwasher. If the water is unable to stay hot, it can adversely affect your dishwasher's cleaning ability.


Filter/Drain Grate

There is a filter in your dishwasher. Its function is to keep large particles of food and foreign objects away from the pump. Many of the newly-manufactured dishwashers have self-cleaning filters, and routine cleaning isn't a concern. However, some other dishw ashers need to have the filter removed and cleaned regularly. If the filter or grate is clogged or blocked with debris, it may interfere with the normal functioning of your dishwasher. Consult your owner's manual for specific directions for removing your dishwasher's filter and cleaning it.

Detergent or Detergent Cup

It could just be that you aren't using enough soap to completely wash your dishes. Your dishwasher may be designed to dispense soap at two different times during the wash cycle. If you don't fill all of the detergent cups, then the diswasher will lose a cleaning cycle. Also, if you use a gel-type detergent, try switching to a powered kind. Powders tend to dissolve better in hot water. And don't buy in bulk. Detergents are most effective in the first two weeks. After that, they decrease in potency.

Alternatively, your dishwasher's detergent cup could be defective in some way. It is possible that it is gunked up full of built up detergent, and a thorough cleaning may be enough to get it working again. If that doesn't do the trick, you probably need to replace the entire detergent cup assembly. If your cup isn't even opening, please see our section My dishwasher detergent cup won't open.

Supply water temperature should be above 120 degrees F for effective cleaning. Run hot water from your kitchen sink (your dishwasher should be tapped off the hot water line near your sink faucet) right before you start a dishwashing cycle to make sure it's as hot as it can be when the dishwasher begins filling. Also, during the wash cycle the heating elements at the bottom of the tub may turn on and warm the water further even if you select a "No Heat Dry" option causing a noticeable shot of steam to escape if you open the door during a cycle.
Note: I recently had a problem with our dishwasher (Frigidaire FDB834RFS0) causing dishes to come out dirty and the detergent dispenser to be left with undissolved detergent. Our problem happened to be caused by a partially clogged strainer in the water supply valve. (I would imagine Whirlpool most likely has some kind of filter/strainer in its water valve as well.) When the supply valve was commanded to open for some time, I noticed the water level in the tub would barely be visible below the lower spray arm. After cleaning out the strainer (required removing and disassembling the water supply valve) the water level was noticeably higher -- almost at the bottom of the float or about an inch below the heating elements. Our dishes and the detergent dispenser are now clean.
If your water supply is ok, I would next check to make sure your spray arms do not have any plugged holes and that they rotate freely. Also, use a good quality detergent and a rinse aid. We prefer liquid Cascade and Jet Dry. We have had problems with old, stale, or really thick liquid detergents and by getting a fresh jug have solved the dirty dish dilemma.
Make sure to clean out the filter basket at the bottom of the basin below the lower spray arm occasionally as it can clog and cause the pump to starve due to lack of water. If the pump can't get a supply of water to pump to the spray arms and nozzles, your dishes will not get sprayed evenly and you will end up with them being poorly cleaned.
Hope this helps you out...good luck!

hello,

If your dishes are coming out of the dishwasher covered by a removable dirty film, your water may not be hot enough, or you could be using an inferior brand of automatic dishwashing detergent. If you have tested your hot water and find it is between 140 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, consider how long it takes for the hot water to reach the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. If the hot water has to travel a long distance to reach the dishwasher, chances are the water filling the dishwasher starts out cold. To alleviate this problem, run the hot water nearest to your dishwasher until the water coming out is hot. This will guarantee the water filling the dishwasher is as hot as it should be to properly clean dirty dishes.

To remove this type of film from dirty dishes, after running the dishes through a basic rinse cycle, set a bowl filled with a cup or two of white vinegar on the lowest rack of the dishwasher. Remove any metal pans or utensils, and with the vinegar on the bottom rack, wash the dishes as usual. Dirty dishes that were once covered in film should come out squeaky clean

thanks.

hello,

If your dishes are coming out of the dishwasher covered by a removable dirty film, your water may not be hot enough, or you could be using an inferior brand of automatic dishwashing detergent. If you have tested your hot water and find it is between 140 degrees and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, consider how long it takes for the hot water to reach the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. If the hot water has to travel a long distance to reach the dishwasher, chances are the water filling the dishwasher starts out cold. To alleviate this problem, run the hot water nearest to your dishwasher until the water coming out is hot. This will guarantee the water filling the dishwasher is as hot as it should be to properly clean dirty dishes.

To remove this type of film from dirty dishes, after running the dishes through a basic rinse cycle, set a bowl filled with a cup or two of white vinegar on the lowest rack of the dishwasher. Remove any metal pans or utensils, and with the vinegar on the bottom rack, wash the dishes as usual. Dirty dishes that were once covered in film should come out squeaky clean
hope this help?
thanks.

Remove all dishes and throw two cups of vinegar into your machine then run the complete pot scrubber cycle with the hottest water you can.

Always run the hot water into the sink until it is totally hot before you run your dishwasher.

Hi!!! 10 years is alot for a dishwasher..You could have a plugged drain pump.Check your drain pump.All make sure that the water inside your dish water is hot inside it should read over 100 plus..Good luck..

Hello,
Welcome to fixya,

You said, you have a whirlpool quiet partner dishwasher that is not getting even light food residue off the dishes. Cycles seem to be running and progressing normally, tho you do not think the water is spraying from the arms with adequate force.


I have the same machine.
And I notice if I leave the dishes in the sink rather than rinsing them off and putting them directly into the dishwasher, (Like My Wife says to do). That sometimes I have the same problem.
So I bought Jet Dry, and filled the holder. It's a small sometimes clear plastic knob that unscrews out above the soap dish.Fill it once a month!
Do you put the detergent in both cups or only the closed one?
1. If the load is not real dirty you should only have to fill the one with the door that closes.
If it is real dirty then both. To always use both is a waste of money!
2. If your hot water heater is far from your dishwasher, let the hot water tap run a minute till it comes out hot, before starting the dishwasher.
3.If the dishes or pans are very dirty and or baked on use hi temp scower and heavy or potscruber for those loads.

I use heavy wash and hot temp scower if the stuff is relly messy or dryed on.
And for baked on HI- temp scower and pot scruber which sprays harder.

You will have to experiment a little to see what works for you.
You will find it washeing good after you find what works for your families dish habits!

If you have any more questions let me know!!!

Please remember to leave me a solved before you leave the site.
Thank You for using us!
Huuum

there is a new product out called the dishwasher filtration system. it actually filters the water going into your dishes. the dishes look dirty because your water has a lot of calcium and magnesium in it making them appear cloudy or dirty. the dishwasher filter reduces those minerals and my dishes look perfect now. no more dirty and grimy looking dishes. i also dont waste time washing them by hand before and after the dishwasher. hahaha you can get it at www.dishwasherfilter.com. use code DFMTEN and you will get 10% off. it fits right under your sink and is very affordable. you will be glad you bought this product. thanks