Soap door wont open - Frigidaire FDBB1940D Dishwasher

Hi,

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

Dishwasher Repair Problem Detergent Cup does not Open

heatman101

Hi

Dishwashers use Bi-Metal strip to allow the dispenser to open/close. This strip when heat up causes the soap door spring to open up the dispenser. If this strip is not heated doesn't allow the door to open. The strip may not be getting 120V or maybe disconnected. Newer (plastic liner) Maytag dishwashers use a wax motor to open the soap dispenser. The plunger inside the wax motor slowly moves and pushes the plunger and door open. And, if this wax motor doesn't receive 120 volts, then it'll not work. Please check the voltage to the wax motor/Bi-metal strip; also inspect the connections to these. Hope this helps...

Daniel

TURN MACHINE ON TO FINISH CYCLE THEN RE WASH WITH SOAP ETCH,DOOR WILL NOT OPEN MID CYCLE SAFTY LATCH,YOU CAN TURN PROGRAM TO FINAL SPIN TO EMPTY MACHINE AND FINISH PROGRAM THEN DOOR WILL OPEN

The soap door doesn't open fully on that model, and usually flips fully open as you open the dishwasher door.
It relies on the top spray arm turning to 'wash' the soap out of the drawer - and that will be the problem.The spray arm isn't turning.
Check the spray arm for blocked jets at the very end - use a pin to clear them out, or replace them - check both spray arms. Make sure the spray arm rotates freely also.
Remember the dishwasher isn't a garbage disposal unit - remove food deposits from plates etc before loading the machine. Run a dishwasher cleaner through the machine now and then. Food like pasta, or fruit pips often get carried to the end of spray arms and block them.
If using a 30 min rapid wash program ONLY and dishwasher tablets, put the tab in the cutlery basket as it wont have time to dissolve fully if you put it in the dispenser.

The newer Whirlpool dishwashers have little slots in the top of the soap dispenser to allow water to seep in during the first water fill. This design allows the tablet to begin to dissolve during the first fill then be usefull when the soap door opens. In your case, I would check to see if the soap dish is opening at all. Perhaps one of the racks are not allowing clearance or the soap door itself is sticking closed.

Let the dishwasher fill, drain, and then fill again. Open the door of the dishwasher and see if the soap door is still closed and if so, there is your problem. Also, at this time, check the water temperature. It should be at least 120 degrees F for the soap to be effective.

Hope this helps, Ken

with new parts ...yes.

I have a 1 year old whirlpool that had this problem ... items in silverware compartment were blocking the soap door. when we opened the DW, the soap door was open, but could not open properly during the cycle due to kitchen utensils in the way ... took a while to figure this our as it was intermitent (both the problem ... and us putting tall stuff in front of the soap door). Our soap door needs 3.5" of free space in front of it ... I think it's a design flaw. Good luck.

I have a whirlpool that had this problem ... items in silverware compartment were blocking the soap door. when we opened the DW, the soap door was open, but could not open properly during the cycle due to kitchen utensils in the way ... took a while to figure this our as it was intermitent (both the problem ... and us putting tall stuff in front of the soap door). Our soap door needs 3.5" of free space in front of it ... I think it's a design flaw. Good luck.

There's an answer at: http://www.partselect.com/dishwasher+cup-wont-open+repair.htm.

Pretty in depth, but not a simple fix.

IT SEEMS YOU SOAP DOOR HAS A BAD SOLENOID ACUATOR OR RELAY