Ge Nautilus Dishwasher Not Draining

[nutherblond]

Hey I got the model number, it's GSD2615F00AA. A few weeks ago my dishwasher did not drain some of the time. Sometimes I could dial the selector knob to the area where draining would normally occur and give it a second try and that would work. Now, it isn't draining at all.

So far I have checked the sump area in the interior floor for any obstructions. I have disconnected the drain hose in the basement and nothing drained out... until I manually lifted the armature link assy from the solenoid. I removed the solenoid and got 35.1 reading with the meter set at 200ohm. I did not remove the motor/pump but did disconnect all wiring including the ground wire and got 10.1 reading,again the meter was set at 200ohm. As for the timer/switch, I have not checked it and do not know where or how. (I just bought my first digital multimeter last night. I have repaired other electric appliances in the past, but I was always sure which part was at fault before replacement. I've been lucky or the problem has been specific enough.)

OK, you know what I have done so far and if you use the links below you will know what parts are used on my dishwasher. It's a cheapy and isn't very complicated, but when it was working it saved my lower back from being static in front of the sink. If any of you will be so kind and wise to point me in the right direction, I would be ever so appreciative. If you suspect that I did not use the meter properly, please advise in simple terms and I will give it another go.

http://www.myapstore.com/Omega/Dispatcher?REQUEST=ACCESSORY

Part Results

[Dan O.]

nothing drained out... until I manually lifted the armature link assy from the solenoid.

At which time it did drain I assume?

The solenoid should pull in (close up) when powered to activate the linkage to drain. Assuming the linkage is still connected, either the solenoid may be defective and not able to pull in or it may not be getting the 120 volts needed to operate. Someone will need to determine which.

The following links might be helpful?

LINK > How do I test a solenoid?

LINK > GE GSD2615F00AA Drain Solenoid Kit

...with the meter set at 200ohm.

The testing of most things should be usually done on the 1 ohm (Rx1) scale unless known for certain the component has a higher resistance and needs the added sensitivity. In most cases on appliances only testing for continuity (see the following link) is required not the actual resistance measurement.

LINK > How do I test for continuity?

I just bought my first digital multimeter last night.

I personally would prefer using a cheap $5 analog multimeter from Radio Shack over a digital one for most testing.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[nutherblond]

At which time it did drain I assume?

Dan O., you assume correctly. BTW, I manually pulled the armature down, rather than lifted. Laying on the floor working sideways must have directionally challenged me.

Today, I put everything back together and tried running it with the lower front panel off to see if the solenoid would function on it's own and if the motor was turning. Now the tub is filling with water for about five to ten seconds, the spray arm assy. isn't working, the motor is turning, the solenoid is snapping the armature down, and the water (what little there is) is now draining. I also poured a few gallons of water in the tub a few times. Each time it drained. Could this indicate a timer problem?

[Dan O.]

the tub is filling with water for about five to ten seconds

It should fill for longer than that.

the spray arm assy. isn't working

If there's not enough water in the machine, no it wouldn't.

Someone will need to look into what is stopping the filll. Is power to the water valve stopping prematurely or is the valve failing to stay open while still being powered??

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[nutherblond]

At first, it was not draining. Now it is. The solenoid is snapping the armature down. The motor is turning. Now the water is not running enough. All this is within 2 days. The dishwasher has multi-symptoms. Could these things be caused by a faulty timer? Does the timer control the water flow?

[Dan O.]

Yes the timer is responsible for all functions of a dishwasher and could stop any of them as could a problem in the unit's wiring. There could also be a problem in each of those components separately/individually or in the case of filling, the float and/or float switch and just be a coincidence they are acting up at approximately the same time.

LINK > GE GSD2615F00AA Control Timer

It however is not usually recommended to just replace parts without first determining for certain (or as near as may be possible) if they actually are the cause first. Incorrect guesses can cause the cost of an appliance repair to get out of hand quickly.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

[nutherblond]

Before the dishwasher stopped draining, I had one of the heating elements to go out in the water heater. I just kind of noticed after some time that I was running out of hot water a little too often. Could the cooler temp cause a built up of 'gunk'?

Before doing anything with the dishwasher I got out as much water as I could and poured in a few quarts of vinegar and that stood for about a week. Do you suppose that when I pulled out the dishwasher and manipulated the drain hose that I might have dislodged some 'gunk'? I also mopped up a lot of white chalky stuff from the sump area in the interior after draining. I guess this could have been partially dissolved calcium from the vinegar.

Now for more...I just tried running another test cycle with the door open and the water is running about 45 seconds (guessing, I did a silent second count in my head). What I did discover is that the water is just draining out as it is running. After unplugging, I poured in a few pitchers of water in the tub and it was draining out one pitcher before I could get the next pitcher filled.

To get the dishwasher pulled out of the cubby, I had to cut the drain hose and pull it through the floor. I lost about two inches off the length of the drain hose. Could the shorter drain hose cause the instant drainage? What other things can cause instant drainage? If I can get it to keep water in the tub, I think I got a functioning dishwasher in the house again and I'm not talking about my left and right hands.

[Dan O.]

It's all in the details

Could the cooler temp cause a built up of 'gunk'?

Too cold of water would likely prevent detergent from dissolving properly but I very much doubt that would affect any part of the fill or drain functions, just cleaning performance.

Do you suppose that when I manipulated the drain hose that I might have dislodged some 'gunk'?

Maybe but as I stated, I very much doubt any gunk would affect any part of the fill and drain functions... unless it was so large it totally blocked off the drain hose in which case the dishwasher wouldn't likely drain at all.

the water is [filling for] about 45 seconds

It always helps (if not being absolutely necessary) to provide accurate information when requesting assistance.

I had to cut the drain hose and pull it through the floor.

Directly down through the floor without first routing it up to the underside of the counter top??

Could the shorter drain hose cause the instant drainage?

Improper installation of the drain hose could certainly cause premature draining (see the following link), not necessarily its length.

LINK > My washer doesn't seem to be able to hold water. What's the problem?


BTW. It probably would have been a good idea to mention the previous service/alterations in your first message since at least some of your problem now appears to have started immediately after that.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~