Asko D3120 Dishwasher - Not draining

[testguyct]

I have an Asko D3120 dishwasher that is not draining properly.   There were lots of suds in the dishwasher, and the water was overflowing onto the floor.  The dishwasher is approximately 8 years old.  I removed the kickplate and accessed the catch basin area, and found that the water overflowed into the catch basin.  I dried that water all up with towels.  I removed the drain pump and tested it by applying 120VAC across the terminals, and the impeller turned, so I am assuming that the drain pump is good.  Also, it appears that the drain hose is clear.  The garbage disposal where the drain hose empties is clear, as well as the in-line check valve on the drain hose.  My question is where do I look next ?  I removed a small switch (I believe that this is the float switch, part number 8073835) and I attempted to test the switch to make sure that it is working properly.  The part is labeled ZIPPY, with a part number of VMN-06.  It has 3 terminals labeled NO, NC, and C. When I applied 120VAC to the C terminal, I measured 120VAC at the NC lead.  I am wondering if this switch is the problem, or should I look elsewhere.  Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[jumptrout51]

Someone used the wrong soap in your dishwasher. This caused a suds lock.
Set the dw for drain and run it.
When the cycle stops pour in cold water and run it again.
Do this as many times as necessary to clear out the suds.
Cold water kills suds.

[bigbuck]

they could use a cap full of cooking oil, this will kill suds quickly.

[testguyct]

Thanks for your replies.  I put everything back together, and attempted to run the dishwasher, but when I pressed the Start button, the drain pump runs for several seconds (as usual) but the dishwasher never advances to the next stage - the water never starts spraying, and the status indicator that indicates what stage of the wash cycle is active goes back to all LEDs off.  Now I am wondering if it's the control PCB ?

[JWWebster]

Put some water in there and see if it washes you might just have a bad water valve.

[testguyct]

I pulled the water inlet valve (part number 3290019) and put 120 VAC across it, and it hums and vibrates, so I think that's working.  Also, the particle filter screen on the inlet valve is clear.  Next I have to check the inlet flow sensor.

[jumptrout51]

Quote "I removed a small switch (I believe that this is the float switch, part number 8073835) and I attempted to test the switch to make sure that it is working properly"
Did you re-hook this switch and any other wires you removed?

[testguyct]

Yes I reconnected all wires.  The flow meter (FM) connected directly to the inlet valve measures as an open circuit; I don't know if that is correct or not.  The schematic diagram that I found online doesn't exactly match my dishwasher model - some of the connections are labeled differently.  The model I have is the D3120, and DW20.1 is the "Type" stamped on the label located on the right-hand side of the door edge.

[testguyct]

I put everything back together and put some water in the tub.  I started the dishwasher, and the water in the tub pumped out, but the cycle never continued.  After about a minute, the status indicator went back to the beginning - as if the cycle was reset.

[testguyct]

OK - I give up for today.  I used the procedure documented in this manual: http://www.servicesaver.net/Asko_Archive/asps%20dokument/Servicemanualer/Disk/Service%20Manual%20DW20%20EN.pdf (see section for the DW20.1) to activate the Service Menu, and change the water intake setting to Time-controlled water intake, instead of Volume-controlled water intake (regulated via the flow sensor).  I added about a liter of water to the tub, then started the dishwasher.  The dishwasher went through the drain cycle to empty the tub, then it went to the wash cycle after a long pause.  However, there was a "shooshing" sound as if the water was being sprayed inside the tub, but the water was only trickling out of the bottom spray arm, and the dishes in the washer never even got wet.  At this point, my best guess is the water inlet valve is bad, even though it seems to power up when 120VAC is applied to it.

[testguyct]

The link to the manual in the above post might not work. Manual is attached.

[testguyct]

Well, I replaced the inlet valve / flow sensor, and the problem is still there - the inlet valve never lets water into the machine.  I already put too many hours into troubleshooting it.  Time to cut my losses.  To the dump she goes ...