Dishwasher turns on, doesn't fill, goes through dry cycle then dries dirty dishes

I have worked with Sears on a similiar symptom on my unit. I was using solid tablets in the soap dispenser. After running a wash everything was luke warm and dirty. After repeating a few test I found out my soap dispenser door was not opening properly. Sear confirmed it with their one of their better techs.

The problem with door in my case is that the assy is plastic and has poor tolerances. The front doors on these units are lightweight (cheaper) and do not remain plumb which causes the soap assy to see torqing by the door frame and cover.

If your out of warranty you can try to replace to soap assy or loosen the door panel hardware and try to make sure the soap door freely flips open manually and electrically.

It aint pretty, but until its fixed mix your detergent with a half gallon of hot tap water and pour into the tank before closing the door to start a load. The unit will not overfill as the float switch will work normally.

The backstory is: These newer models are not as robust as units 10 years ago. The goal to meet energy star qualifications of the EPA has forced these manufacturers to use less elec. to heat water in the unit. Your starting water temp is a function of several things; the distance from the water heater, the temp outside, and the setting on your water heater. Most replacement units going into older homes have a problem getting water temps of 135 degrees, which what Sears says is required for these units to clean well.

So you have a couple of choices to get there; 1. Let you sink hot water run until the temp is at it's max before starting a load, 2. install a localized water heater near the unit, 3. raise the temp on your water heater and use more electricity than the unit saves, or
4. disolve you detergent in hot water and pour it in before starting a load.

Choice no. 4 is what we have been doing and we do get a better wash quality. Ive been told by a factory person that even if my door opened properly, that unless the water temp is high enough, the phosphates in the soap just dont do their job and soap residue just builds up in the tank over time.

These units are fine, IF you can satisfy everything the factory requires of the installer and its not easy to realize water temp of 130+ degrees in alot of homes.

If your under extended warranty, Sears will replace the marginal door with another marginal door.

Hope this helps. Take care.