Whirlpool dishwasher draining problem

[davelc32]

My Whirlpool dishwasher Model DU5004XM0 will sometimes drain and sometimes won't. It will sometimes just shut off when it hits the drain cycle. I've checked the drain hose and it is open(water shoots through full force when it does work) and have replaced the timer. It seems to get hot AT TIMES when it hits the drain cycle. Is there a relay that could be bad or could the wire connections underneath be corroded?

[Dan O.]

Symptom(s) clarification needed

Whirlpool dishwasher Model DU5004XM0 will sometimes drain and sometimes won't.

Is the motor running when it should be draining but isn't?

If the motor IS running but the machine is just not draining, the 'check valve' (see the following link) the drain hose attaches to at the pump is a common part to cause intermittent draining problems.

LINK > Whirlpool DU5004XM0 Drain Check Valve

If the motor is NOT running when it should be draining, someone will need to look into why.

It will sometimes just shut off when it hits the drain cycle.

Even progression of the timer stops before the end of the cycle??

If so, there shouldn't be much that could cause that, maybe a defective timer or other total power interruption like might be caused by a door switch or door latch malfunction. Someone would need to check the machine's wiring diagram to see what components are in the circuit to the timer's motor and inspect each, along with the corresponding wiring.

Is there a relay that could be bad

Relays (besides the motor starting relay) are usually only found on electronically controlled models. Yours uses a mechanical timer which uses no other relays.

If just the motor wasn't running the motor starting relay might be a possibility but it would only affect the motor's wash/drain operation, nothing else on the dishwasher. (BTW. The same motor relay is used for both wash and drain so if either is working it is less likely to be a concern.)

or could the wire connections underneath be corroded?

That is a possibility (although probably least likely). Anything in the power circuit to the component(s) not operational could be suspect.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[davelc32]

Whirlpool diswasher not draining

The motor does not run through the drain cycle but the timer does progress to the next cycle. This seems to happen at all of the different drain stops on the timer. Once it passes the drain cycle the diswasher continues working. Occasionally it will start to drain then just quit(motor not running). Thanks for info so far.

[Dan O.]

Only motor n/w

.
The same motor is used for both wash and drain on your model. It turns one way for wash and the opposite for drain. If the motor is just not running during the drain, the drain direction winding of the motor may be faulty. That would require replacement of the motor (or whole pump and motor) to correct.

LINK > Whirlpool DU5004XM0 Pump Motor

LINK > Whirlpool DU5004XM0 Pump and Motor Asm.

The only other possibilities I can think of is a problem in the drain function of the timer (unlikely if the timer has been replaced and the same symptoms are present with both old and new) or maybe a problem in the wiring from the timer to the motor for just the drain function.

Basically, if the motor is getting power it should be running. If it WAS getting power but NOT running, the problem would be in the motor. It the motor was NOT getting power, the power supply would have to be traced to find where the stoppage was occurring.

Occasionally it will start to drain then [the motor] just quit running.

The motor may be cutting out on its internal overload protector. That could be due to a problem in the motor.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[davelc32]

I replaced the motor relay and it seems to be working now.Will know for sure after a few more loads.

[Dan O.]

I replaced the motor relay and it seems to be working now. Will know for sure after a few more loads.

I'm very surprised since the same one is used for both the wash and drain functions of the motor. A failure of it should affect both (which was not your original complaint).

Let us know how you make out. Good luck!

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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[davelc32]

So far so good with the draining problem. Any idea why the detergent door won't open all the time?

[Dan O.]

Any idea why the detergent door won't open all the time?

Not without actual investigation. Maybe the door is physically binding at times? Any signs of deformation or caked up soap residue around it? Maybe its spring is weak and doesn't open it occasionally for whatever reason?

Maybe the release bimetal (see the following link) is intermittently malfunctioning? Maybe the timer isn't always powering the bimetal?

LINK > DU5004XM0 Detergent Cup Bi-Metal Release

LINK > Glossary of Terms: Bimetal

Maybe something (rack, glass, plate, etc.) is blocking the soap door from opening at times?

Those could all be possibilities which will likely need looking into to try to determine the cause in your case. The cause of intermittent problems are however the hardest to pinpoint. Sometimes an appliance just has to be used until the problem becomes consistent before the fault can be isolated.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site
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