Whirlpool convertible dishwasher - no water inside

[lgerhardx]

Prior thread:

enough, I finally got around to pulling the motor off this thing. The label on the motor says "s37nxgf-240".

I hooked it up directly to a power strip plugged into 110VAC, and it just hummed. Actually, the shaft extended like it was trying to do something, but then it just sat there and hummed. Here's the kicker: on a whim, I grabbed the shaft and spun it...the thing started up and spun just fine!! I shut it back off and started it again while it was still spinning and it again did as it should. Even once or twice it started from a dead stop, but more often than not it simply sat there and hummed.

I also tried spinning the impeller by hand (I'm assuming that's what this is...it attaches to the end of the motor shaft). It was stiff. But, when I hooked the motor shaft back into it, I could rotate the motor shaft by hand and turn the impeller easier. So, I'm assuming that it might be a little stiff, but my difficulty with it was due at least in part to the awkwardness of getting a grip on it.

I've read elsewhere that sometimes dw motors get clogged with sand/ calcium/etc. Is there any way for me to open the motor up and lube it somehow? Do I need to buy a new one or is it possible to resurrect this one at all?

[lgerhardx]

Could it be the motor start capacitor? Can I replace that myself if so?

[lgerhardx]

Nevermind. :(

The only thing in the motor was an overload thing, and I didn't realize that until after I cut it off. Now that I put it back on (correctly observing the wires), it just hums. I try to help start it by spinning, but it just sits there. Time to order a replacement motor. :(

Anybody need a broken motor? :) I'll make you a good deal!

[Rudy]

Check the water overflow/shutoff "FLOAT"..often its a mushroom shaped 3" dia white plastic cone on the bottom of the interior. Its designed to float up as the unit fills with water..once at the desired level (like a toilet float) it shuts OFF the water.

IF it sticks in the UP position...NO WATER. If it's UP, give it a tap and see if it drops down

[lgerhardx]

The float does seem to move okay, and I can hear the thing click when I lift it.

In the past, some water would spurt up through the arm, but not enough to spin it or even make it telescope out properly. It would just gush then overflow out of the arm. So, I am assuming that my motor was the problem, since it evidently was not spinning at all and just sitting there humming. Fortunately, I never ran it long and stopped it as soon as I noticed the problem.

Thanks for your reply!