How To Clean A Dishwasher Motor?

You may run into an issue of your dishwasher not cleaning dishes well or hearing water coming in, but it won’t start. This may happen to any dishwasher brand or type, but such malfunctions usually occur with American brands. In this article, Jacob Dillard, an engineer at Appliance Repair Expert, will tell you how to clean your unit’s motor properly. Please only carry out this procedure if you are sure that your appliance can take in and drain water.

What Tools Will You Need?

This is an intermediate repair and requires no special tools other than bits, drills, screwdrivers, spanners and pliers. In addition, have an old towel or blanket ready to place under the dishwasher to avoid scratching the floor during the repair.

• Bits
• Drills
• Screwdrivers
• Wrenches
• Pliers

How To Remove The Dishwasher?

Remove the dishwasher from under the countertop by unscrewing the screws on the sides or top of the appliance. You should be able to pull the unit out from its spot quite easily unless the levelling legs or hoses may be in your way. You may need to lower the front or back legs with a wrench to pull out the unit. Sometimes, the water supply hose must be disconnected if it isn’t long enough.

Best Way To Clean The Motor In Your Dishwasher

Carefully place a blanket under the machine and lay it on its side to allow enough space to access the dishwasher from below. On some models, you may need to remove the bottom panel to access parts.

Once you have located the pump, remove it from its original position. On most models, it is not secured with screws but with a thread that can be twisted. Inspect the pump casing and locate the bracket rod that needs to be pressed to remove the motor. Usually, an arrow on the pump indicates the direction in which to move.

After removing the motor, disconnect it from the wiring harness and check for any debris or dirt. Clean it thoroughly. If you find a large accumulation of dirt, clean it off and reassemble the device to test it. If you don’t see any dirt, the problem may be inside the motor if you don’t find any dirt. Locate the screws on the motor and unscrew them.

Once inside, use paper towels and water to clean it inside and out as best you can. Once the motor is clean, screw it back on. Do this cleaning every couple of years.

If the problem persists after cleaning, it may be something else, so contact a technician from Appliance Repair Expert.

Author: Jacob Dillard

My name is Jacob Dillard, and I am the author of articles at Appliance Repair Expert. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by technology and spent much time reading different books and trying to repair my first CD player. Then, I graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Applied Science and Engineering. In a year, I got my first job as a technician at an appliance repair company. After years of practice and working with professionals, I decided it was time to share my knowledge and experience here at Appliance Repair Expert. I want to help you understand everything related to appliance repair, maintenance and installation in the simplest way possible. It will be fun, believe me!