The clean light flashes clean, seven times. I can reset the machine, but the problem persists. How do I determine if it is the heating element?

see this causes and fix it. God bless you
Drain Pump If lights are flashing on the control panel, the drain pump might not be working properly. For two-wire drain pump motors check them for continuity using an Ohm meter. If it's defective YOU'LL need to replace it. Drain pumps are not repairable.

Heating Element If lights are flashing on the control panel, the heating element might have burned out. The heating element heats the water up to operating temperature. After a set amount of time if the temperature isn't reached a light on the control panel might start flashing. The heating element can be checked for continuity with an Ohm meter.

Heating Element Assembly If lights are flashing on the control panel, the heating element assembly might have burned out. The heating element assembly heats the water up to operating temperature. After a set amount of time if the temperature isn't reached a light on the control panel might start flashing. The heating element assembly can be checked for continuity with an Ohm meter.

Touchpad and Control Panel If the lights are flashing on the display the entire touchpad and control panel assembly might be defective. If the display works but the dishwasher functions are all out of synch, or some of the buttons don't respond properly the entire touchpad and control panel might need to be replaced.

Touchpad If the display lights are flickering for no reason, the touchpad might need to be replaced. Sometimes when the touchpad is defective the display lights are flashing randomly.

Check Fault Codes If the display lights are flashing and there is an error code in the display window, check the Error Codes guide on our website to determine which component has failed or is failing

Hello & Welcome to FixYa

Clean light is reset by pressing two buttons in sequence 3-4 times, to reset your kenmore press these buttons in sequence:

High temp wash-heated dry-high temp wash-heated dry

Please get back to me if you have any other questions.

Kevin

Check the themistor in the control panel. Radio Shack sells these for about $1.30 each. I replaced the one in my dishwasher three years ago and have had no issues since.

If the clean light flashes 7 times, pauses, then repeats...

When the dishwasher doesn't sense a water temperature increase, it stops working and locks the functions (clean light flashes 7 times, all buttons are non responsive). It does this as a safety in case the element is broken and feeding electrical current into the water.

To resolve this you will have to reset the console. Do this by closing the door and press these buttons in sequence...

-high temp wash
-heated dry
-high temp wash
-heated dry

...all the lights will turn on briefly and the machine will start a diagnostic cycle. You can press cancel or let the diagnostic cyle finish (1-2 minutes).
You should now be able to run the dishwasher as normal.

If the issue returns, you could have a problem with the heating circuit (ie. element, thermostat or wiring).
It rarely happens but it could also be the door switch not engaging properly when the door is closed (slightly bend the door latch down making sure it doesn't hit the door when you close it).

Good luck!

f the clean light flashes 7 times, pauses, then repeats...

When the dishwasher doesn't sense a water temperature increase, it will stop working and lock the functions (clean light flashes 7 times, all buttons are non responsive). It does this as a safety in case the element is broken and feeding electrical current into the water. Check the element for damage (burnt/shorted).

To clear the flashing light you will have to reset the console. Do this by closing the door and press these buttons in sequence...

-high temp wash
-heated dry
-high temp wash
-heated dry

...all the lights will turn on briefly and the machine will start a diagnostic cycle. You can press cancel or let the diagnostic cycle finish (1-2 minutes).
You should now be able to run the dishwasher as normal.

If the issue returns, you could have a problem with the heating circuit (ie. element, thermostat or wiring). It rarely happens but it could also be the door switch not engaging properly when the door is closed (slightly bend the door latch down making sure it doesn't hit the door when you close it).

If the clean light flashes 7 times, pauses, then repeats...

When the dishwasher doesn't sense a water temperature increase, it will stop working and lock the functions (clean light flashes 7 times, all buttons are non responsive). It does this as a safety in case the element is broken and feeding electrical current into the water.

To resolve this you will have to reset the console. Do this by closing the door and press these buttons in sequence...

-high temp wash
-heated dry
-high temp wash
-heated dry

...all the lights will turn on briefly and the machine will start a diagnostic cycle. You can press cancel or let the diagnostic cycle finish (1-2 minutes).
You should now be able to run the dishwasher as normal.

If the issue returns, you could have a problem with the heating circuit (ie. element, thermostat or wiring). It rarely happens but it could also be the door switch not engaging properly when the door is closed (slightly bend the door latch down making sure it doesn't hit the door when you close it).

The cleam light blinking means that the unit was not able to reach a proper heated wash cycle. Either your heating element failed orthe actual sump/pump motor system has failed. Check the element in the botton and see if it looks broken anywhere. If you can see a broken spot, you will k now that is the trouble.

Good Luck!

On Whirlpool and Kitchenaids the flashing clean light means that there is a problem with the heating element circuit and probably the element itself. You can try to reset the machine by clicking the sanirinse and heat dry buttons back and forth a couple of times. All of the lights will come on and it will reset itself. If the machine keeps going to the flashing clean light then replace the heating element and reset the machine again. 

reset the dishwasher by touching heated dry and normal let it run through that cycle then through a normal cycle got the error blink again. Reset dishwasher by touching heated dry and normal, ran the test cycle, next ran a normal cycle but turned off the heated dry. This allowed the dishwasher to run through a complete cycle did not get the error blink and confirmed that the heating element was out.

There was a problem with the heating cycle , the seven flashes indicates the temp never reached the setting. You can try running a service cycle that will reset the control, then try running a normal cycle if it stops agin will have to find the part causing the trouble believe they actually came out with a revised heating element on this. to run service cycle press heated dry , normal, heated dry, normal within six sec then the d/w should step through a service cycle.