Mcclary dishwasher soap dispenser won't shut - Hotpoint 18 in. DC27 Slim-Line Built-in Dishwasher

If the dishwasher's turn dial isn't on off the door will not shut. Try turning the dial to off on the front of the washer.

Only two reasons this may happen. One is the dispenser is just bad (most likely) or that the timer is somehow malfunctioning and sending power to the soap dispenser all the time (least likely) You will usually know if its the second because the dispenser will get really warm after the dishwasher had been on for a few minutes.

Most likely it's a corroded door catch or a bad solenoid. Hopefully it's not the main control board. You'll need a repair manual or technician. A work around would be to use detergent tablets in the compartment

Hi,
There are three common problems that cause the Soap Dispenser or Cup not toopen. I have a tip that will explain these problems in detail....

Dishwasher Repair Problem Detergent Cup does not Open

heatman101

Yes you put the dishwasher soap in the soap dispenser. Then you close the lid to it. then shut the door and start the dishwasher.

make sure that the you let the hot water run for 2-3 min to make sure it is hot going into machine or it will not break down the soap.if the dispenser is opening then it is a tempproblem. let me know if my assistance was any help with a 4 thumbs up post

Hi there,

Well you can please follow the below steps -
1. Remove any dishes in the dishwasher. Unhook the dishwasher's dish trays or racks from their tracks, and set aside. Empty the soap dispenser if it contains unused soap that failed to dispense. Use a wet rag to wipe down the interior of the dishwasher, as well as the inside of the dispenser.
 
2. Close the dispenser, and shut the dishwasher door. Turn the dishwasher on to a manual setting, then stop it and open the appliance. Check to see if the dispenser is open. If it is, continue to Step 2. If the dispenser is closed, skip to Step 4.

3. Switch dishwasher soap. Some dishwasher dispensers have difficulty with dry or liquid dishwashing soap, depending on the make and model of your dishwasher. Incompatibilities typically result in the dispenser sticking shut, which explains why the dispenser opens when empty. Switch to liquid soap if you are using dry powder soap, or vice versa.

4. Check the dishwasher soap dispenser's spring. The spring is located behind the dispenser top's hinge. Consult your dishwasher's original manufacturer's manual or user guide to find a replacement spring. Pop the old spring out with a screwdriver, and replace with a new spring. This should resolve any issues related to the dispenser failing to open.
Please post comments if you need more help or information..........

Good Luck!!

Thanks

Not a solution but exactly the same problem. I should have sent the machine back (I bought mine about 2008 too) but by now, 2010, the machine is a complete waste of time and money. The soap dispenser fails to open every time, wasting money, water and my patience because I then have to hand wash after all. will try the suggested oil trick, but it was obviously a bad design to start with.

These rely on mechanical timers and springs on the soap dispenser. They get a bit gunked up after a while. Don't prewash and run the the dishwasher for a few cycles with the dispenser open (put the soap tablet in the cutlery basket). If you listen to the machine you may be able to hear the click when the dispenser should open which at least tells you that it should be working

I had the same problem with my GE Adora. The dishes were getting cloudy and the soap dispenser would not open. Turns out the hard water deposits were causing the soap dispenser to stick shut. I purchased and used Dishwasher Magic which is a dishwasher cleaner designed to remove limescale, rust and buildup. I used as directed and now my dishes are sparkling and the soap dispenser pops right open.