How to Repair a Dishwasher Soap Dispenser
If your dishwasher is not doing an effective job cleaning the dishes, troubleshoot the soap dispenser before moving on to any major repairs. You may be able to fix the problem by replacing one or two small parts in the dispenser assembly. Check your owner's manual or the dishwasher manufacturer's website to make sure you only use replacement parts that are compatible with your make and model. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Remove all dishes and racks from the inside of the dishwasher. Wipe any accumulated soap or other debris off the dispenser and door gasket. Make sure the dispenser door can close without hitting any obstructions.
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Inspect the door latch and the corresponding slot on the dishwasher if your soap dispenser will not close. If either piece is broken, you will have to replace the entire soap dispenser assembly, since most dishwasher manufacturers do not sell replacement dispenser doors separately.
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Close the dispenser door without putting any soap inside. Shut and lock the dishwasher door, then run a short wash cycle. When the dishwasher finishes the cycle, open the door and look at the soap dispenser.
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Examine the spring behind the top hinge of the soap dispenser if the door remains closed after a wash cycle. Use a screwdriver to pry out the old spring if it is broken or stretched out. Insert the proper replacement spring for your dishwasher's make and model, then run another wash cycle to re-test the dispenser door.
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Replace the gasket if soap leaks out of the dispenser door when it is closed. The exact method for removing the gasket depends on your dishwasher's make and model, but most gaskets can be pried out with the end of a flat-head screwdriver.
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Consult your owner's manual to see if the dishwasher has a troubleshooting mode. Some dishwashers allow you to activate the soap dispenser from this mode to determine whether the problem is caused by a physical defect in the door or a failure in the control board. If the door does not open when activated, the board is defective and should be replaced.
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Use an ohm meter to test the wax motor or bi-metal switch if you cannot find a physical problem with the soap dispenser door. Older dishwashers use a bi-metal switch to activate the dispenser door, while newer models generally have a wax motor. Replace the motor if the reading on the ohm meter falls outside of the recommended range listed in your owner's manual.
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Tips & Warnings
Turn off the circuit breaker for the kitchen before replacing any of your dishwasher's defective parts.
References
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