We have a Frigidaire dishwasher model #FDB634RF bought new. It was used for a not very long period of time but developed problems due to well water with high lime content. now with good cleaning products available it is ready for use again. The problem is the top spray arm that refuses to rotate. I have taken the arm out and thoroughly cleaned it of deposits checked the supply line from the pump and checked the sump for any obstruction. The arm turns freely by hand but water just pours out the holes without turning. I took out everything in the sump and found no obstruction anywhere. However I am baffled about the ball valve in the sump.this ball rests on a track sloping to the outlet to the upper spray arm. I don't understand the purpose of this ball and it seems it would prevent water going to the upper spray arm. I am at a complete loss to determine the problem. please help!

If it is full of course it won't take any more. look for a belt off the water pump.

Two things to consider....clean water or dirty water?

Clean water usually indicates the fill valve is not shutting off all the way and the fill valve is "weeping" water in all the time = new fill valve time!!

Dirty water usually is not a dishwasher problem but more of a plumbing issue. Often the sink drain that carries the sinks water outside is not fast enough and some of this sink water is backing up into the drain hose and filling up the dishwasher through the drain hose. The drain from the sink to outside needs attention as this type of a problem indicates a slow house drain for that sink.

The dishwasher drain line should be clamped to the top underneath part of the counter before entering the sink drain plumbing, this may help the water from coming back inside the dishwasher.

Try using the soap tablets instead. The frigidaire units use a small cylinder to actuate
the soap dispenser and if just a little too much soap is used the latch will bind and not
release. Alternatively, make sure the dispenser is only about half to 2/3 full if you need to
use powder detergent. This is a common problem with the frigidaire/ whirlpool/galax/kenmore
models. Hope this is useful.

Hi,
Here is a tip that I wrote that will help you with your dishwasher not drainingproblem...

Dishwasher Problems - Water will not drain out

heatman101

Hi,

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...

Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

Dishwasher Residue and Film on Dishes

heatman101

Asker's Testimonial "explanation very clear. will give it a go and see how simple it was. thanks Ronnie " - ronnieshomes

turn off power to frig or unplug and let it defrost, if water drips inside and no water drips in the pan on top of the compressor after defrost then the drain line that goes to the pan is clogged. also sometimes the pan itself develops a leak, but that will be self evident. If this resolves problem for a period of time and problem returns then probably defrost timer

If there is not enough water, the dishes would not get cleaned. This could be caused by a partially closed water shut-off valve (located under the sink), or a faulty dishwasher water valve (located at the bottom of the dishwasher, behind the kick panel, on either side).

Also, There is usually two, sometimes three spray arms in a dishwasher. Make sure there is no debris blocking the holes inside each spray arm.

**Water temperature Note***

To get the best results, the water has to be at 120 degrees Fahrenheit when entering the dishwasher.

Concerning the Film.(Disregard if this is not an issue)

This problem occurs due to excessive calcium build up inside the dishwasher. Try cleaning you dishwasher using a dishwasher cleaner. There are a few out there, Try Dishwasher Magic.

They weren't lyin', with the new improved energy effeciency and cleaning units they using more "soaking" times to losen food particles to use less water and clean better. And that they deffinitly do versus old units and they save more energy by doing this also. On some makes and models theywill have cycles that still use less time but also will then use some more water during this cycle. My SEARS store "blue crew" did research and found out this cycle for me.

Check to make sure you heating element has not failed. Dishwashers of today heat the water periodically through out the cycle and if the element has failed. The heating delay light is the indicator that tells you that it is trying to heat the water.

Wow, I am just wondering is the water inside the dishwasher warm or hot? Or is it cold? IF it is cold it could be that the unit is trying to heat the water usually to 120 degrees.If it is hooked up to a cold water valve from your house this could be the problem. Or it is the heating element,.