My dishwasher is a kenmore elite (roughly 5 years old). . I have checked the breaker and power seems to be going to the machine. What buttons do I push to get started?

SOURCE: Kenmore Elite Dishwasher Problem

The dishwasher should have a thermal fuse mounted to the control board behind the operator console. It is a small silver colored device attached to a white plactic bracket. In some model dishwashers the wrong gage wiring was used causing the wires to heat up and trip the thermal fuse. There was no apparent risk of fire or anything like that, but the thermal fuses didn't tolerate the heat differential too well. A fix for the problem was to purchase a thermal fuse replacement kit (found at most appliance repair stores) that had thicker wires. The part number for the thermal fuse kit is 959376 and the price is $16.85. You can find it at repairclinic.com. Order on line and have the part shipped directly to you. Now...to access the control board perform the following:

1. Turn off the main breaker to the dishwasher. This is important. Even though the dishwasher is not running, the control board still has live voltages present.
2. Open dishwasher door and remove the top screws that hold the console in place. You shouldn't have to remove the lower screws unless you plan on removing the entire door panel.
3. The control panel should pull off from the front enough to where you can access the control board. There is a thermal fuse mounted on the board with two wire leads going to it. The fuse is silver in color and mounted to a plastic bracket which is mounted to the control board.
4. Cut the wires on the old fuse and splice the new fuse kit to it. Leave plenty of wire to accommodate. There will be instructions included with your replacement kit. Ensure you follow the direction thoroughly and tighten the wire lug screws securely.

NOTE: Do not attempt to reuse the existing wires by simply unplugging the old fuse and replacing it with the new one (been there). The fuse will eventually blow again. Follow the instructions provided and you can't go wrong.

If you have any further quesitons, or if you run into trouble during your repairs, let me know. Good luck to you.

PS If you do not wish to order on line, take the part number I provided you to any major appliance repair shop and they SHOULD have the part available. This is a known problem and a common fail item.

SOURCE: Won't Power on!! Help its starting to smell bad

will not start

SOURCE: Kenmore Elite wont power on

Door switch. If the washer thinks the door is open, it won't run.

SOURCE: Kenmore Elite Dishwasher Problem

I had this same problem so I took the front panel off to access the thermal fuse.  What I found instead was that food had become lodged in the door latch which was keeping the door safety switch from operating properly.  I took a thin screwdriver and removed the food from the cavity.  Since you did not have the problem in your first five years the cavity just might be the problem since that is about the amount of time it took me to get too much food stuck in mine as well. This solution took five seconds and requires no disassembly.

SOURCE: Brand new kenmore elite dishwasher won't start, does nothing.

May be a wire off motor compacitor. You can't see it from the front. The compacitor is facing the back of the dishwasher. You may have to un-install it to check or use a mirror and flashlight. It's located behind the motor on the left side looking from the front of the machine.