Dishwasher: Timer or thermostat problem?

[evaningam]

My dishwasher gets stuck in two specific places. This happens only when I request a hi-temp rinse / wash / dry. If I manually advance the timer, it continues on, but of course the dishes do not dry (no hi temp heat). So, there is certainly an issue with temperature.

I have checked out the timer and also checked the heating element (using a VOM meter). Both come clean. I an now presuming it might be a thermostat issue. Can anyone advise how to test if it is a thermostate issue, and to narrow down the problem? And f I have to change the thermostat, is there any gotchas? do I have to change a bunch of other components as well?

Thanks.
PS: I have a Kenmore QuietGuard 1 (587.16163400)

[JWWebster]

As our illustrious friend RM has stated in an earlier post if the heating element is open or the thermostat then the timer will not advance because we is wanting 180 degrees water before we coutinues on towards the sanitizing of your dishes madam. This is not just a dishwasher, it is a beautiful thang.

[Repair-man]

There's a tech sheet under the lower panel of the dishwasher that will explain how to check the thermostats. Basically, if the heater is working the thermostat will close on temp rise to 140 degrees. You can bypass this feature by shorting the thermostat leads temporarily to allow the timer to think the tub is hot.


I don't understand your technical jargon "they both come clean" in reference to checking the heater. What resistance reading did you get?

[evaningam]

Hi - thanks for the responses.
By "both come clean" I meant that nothing seems to be wrong with the timer or the heating element.

I did not find any tech sheets at the lower panel. There was only one in the top panel which had the cycle control specs. Do you know if any website with this tech sheet?

Since this post, I have read that there are multiple thermostats. I will be running cycles tonight to narrow it down to when the cycle hangs- at Hi Temp Rinse or Hi Temp Wash. Also, when I turn on the Temp Dry option, it does not work either.

Thanks for the help. Cheers.

[Repair-man]

What resistance reading did you get?

[evaningam]

Hi - I remember getting a + number approx., 30 ish.

BTW, I ran individual wash cycles within only Hi Temp Rinse and then again with Hi Temp Wash only. In both scenarios, the timer got stuck. But when neither option is used, the cycle completes without a problem. Also, the Heat Dry option does not work.

Does this help narrow down to which thermostat I need to replace?
Thanks.

[Repair-man]

Replace whichever thermostat shows zero continuity.

[RegUS_PatOff]

Yeah there is a tech sheet under the lower panel of the dishwasher...

not if someone removed the Tech Sheet ...