665.16292401 Wash cycle stops and red wash light flashes

Priscilla V February 14, 2012

I understand how important it is to have a Dishwasher that is working properly since dirty dishes do gather quickly. While you are waiting for a detailed reply from an expert I have taken the time to research on the website and have came across a few links that are similar to your issue,which is you like I have attached below. Hope the is helpful!

Lyle W EXPERT February 15, 2012

That problem with the cycle stopping could be caused by a failure in the door latch assembly. The first image below shows a wiring diagram for your dishwasher. The third image shows access information for the door latch assembly. I recommend that you shut off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher and access the micro-switches in that door latch assembly. Check for continuity through those switches when they are in the closed position. If one or both switches are bad, then the defective components will need to be replaced. You can also check the mechanical parts of that door latch assembly. There is a possibility that you will need to replace that entire latch assembly. You can order parts from the Sears PartsDirect website.

This type of intermittent failure may be difficult to diagnose and repair. If that door latch assembly and the switches appear to be okay, you could have a wiring failure or a problem with that control board in the console that is causing this problem.

Reply with additional details if you need more help diagnosing and repairing that failure.

I provided the details of the diagnostic test cycle in the second image below. That information should help you test the components. If you need more help with those tests, let us know.

If you get to the point where you need to have a service technician examine the dishwasher and complete these repairs, you can schedule service through this link: Sears Home Services .

Pete February 20, 2012

Thank you so much. I appreciate the help and will let you know how it goes.

Pete February 20, 2012

The switch was the culprit. Once taking the door apart I was able to adjust the switch and now the cycle is not stopping. That takes care of problem one, but I am still having problems getting the dishes in the top rack clean. I ran the diagnostic cycle, but was not able to confirm the proper function of the pressure switch in interval 4 because I was not sure what the soaking/sensing LED is. Can anyone explain what I should see on the control panel when entering interval 4 if the pressure switch is tripped by the pressure of the initial drain pump out? Is this possible related to the issue with the dishes in the top rack not getting clean?

Lyle W EXPERT February 21, 2012

Since the control panel on your model does not have a sensing light, you will not be able to check the condition of that pressure switch in the diagnostic cycle. That pressure switch will not normally cause a problem with cleaning on the top rack. A problem with that pressure switch would normally cause the dishwasher to drain and refill frequently during the cycle. If it is not doing that, then the pressure switch is probably okay. If the dishwasher is draining and refilling during that cycle, then you could have a problem with that pressure switch. If you want to disable that pressure switch function, you could disconnect one or both wires from that component. The first image below shows how to access that pressure switch. Tape the ends of those wires to keep them from shorting out. Move them out of the way and see if the dishwasher works normally. If the pressure switch is not causing your problems, you could have a clog or foreign object in the chopper blade area of the sump that would cause problems with spray pressure in the upper spray arm. You can follow the steps in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th images to access the chopper blade area of the sump. (Continued below)

Lyle W EXPERT February 21, 2012

If you find no problems in that sump area, then you could have a problem with the turbo wash system that is preventing the upper spray arm from getting water. The images below provide technical information and testing procedures for that system. Be sure that you shut off the house circuit breaker for the dishwasher when accessing internal components. The information in those images will help you check that system if necessary. The diagnostic test procedure will activate that wax motor for testing. If you need more help diagnosing this upper rack spray problem, reply with additional details and we will assist you further.

Lyle W EXPERT February 21, 2012

Here are the final images.

Pete February 21, 2012

Thank you again for the quick reply and technical information. I cleaned out the sump and chopper blade area. Even if that wasn't causing any issues, there was a lot of random stuff hanging out in the sump just in front of the chopper blade. I took everything apart, rinsed everything and sucked up the debris with a shop vacuum. The sump area is totally clear now. Next I tested the elbow joint using magnets as directed in the testing procedure for the turbo wash system. I could here the steel balls move freely so it does not appear that they are bound or stuck in any way that may block water from getting to the upper spray arm. Then I tested the wax motor using a VOM as instructed, but found that I had no continuity in the circuit. Did I miss a step? I turned off power, removed the control panel, unplugged the pin connectors and measure the resistance across the two wires (blue/black & violet). I am running a load now to see who they come out, but I am curious about testing the wax motor.

Pete February 21, 2012

I forgot to mention it, but as I was disassembling the sump assembly, I noticed that I do not have a foreign object protector in place. We bought the dishwasher used and have been using it for about a year, but are we going to break something or damage the pump if we don't replace that part?

Pete February 22, 2012

UPDATE: Ok so not so hot news. The dishes are much cleaner, but the washer didn't drain. I must have put the check valve in wrong. Is that possible? Any ideas why the dishwasher didn't drain?