Dishwasher stopped working mid-cycle

[Kamal]

We have a GE dishwasher (GSD2200) with potscrubber function. It was installed by the builder 4-5 years ago.

We use it at least once daily if not more. Yesterday, it just stopped working mid-cycle. There are 2 "containers" for dishwashing liquid. One has dishwashing liquid for pre-wash while the other container has a lid that opens mid-cycle for a more complete wash. When the dishwasher stopped, the second container (with the lid) had just opened and I could even see the dishwashing liquid still in the dishwasher. The water was standing in the bottom of the appliance.

There was also a slight burning smell when the dishwasher stopped or maybe it was the smell of very hot water hitting some plastic containers we had. The dishwasher was filled to capacity. Though we make sure that crockery is arranged around the opening for the tower but maybe, just maybe that opening may have been blocked by our placement of crockery. Could blocking of the tower opening have caused that problem ?

I called GE and they asked me to trip the circuit breaker for 10 mins, re-set and then re-try. It didn't work. I called GE again and they asked me trip circuit breaker, turn the dishwasher knob twice and then put the circuit breaker "on" again and then try to run the appliance. That didn't work either.

Now the GE service center tells me that I can have one of their techs come in for $70. Then they will charge me another $70 to $150 for labor + $90 to $150 for the parts to fix the problem. So their service will cost me at least $230 and maybe even upto $370... and I would still be stuck with an old appliance.

Can anyone give me suggestions to see if the dishwasher is fixable or I just need to throw it away and buy a new one ?

Thanks,

K

[Kamal]

We have a GE dishwasher (GSD2200) with potscrubber function. It was installed by the builder 4-5 years ago.

We use it at least once daily if not more. Yesterday, it just stopped working mid-cycle. There are 2 "containers" for dishwashing liquid. One has dishwashing liquid for pre-wash while the other container has a lid that opens mid-cycle for a more complete wash. When the dishwasher stopped, the second container (with the lid) had just opened and I could even see the dishwashing liquid still in the dishwasher. The water was standing in the bottom of the appliance.

There was also a slight burning smell when the dishwasher stopped or maybe it was the smell of very hot water hitting some plastic containers we had. The dishwasher was filled to capacity. Though we make sure that crockery is arranged around the opening for the tower but maybe, just maybe that opening may have been blocked by our placement of crockery. Could blocking of the tower opening have caused that problem ?

I called GE and they asked me to trip the circuit breaker for 10 mins, re-set and then re-try. It didn't work. I called GE again and they asked me trip circuit breaker, turn the dishwasher knob twice and then put the circuit breaker "on" again and then try to run the appliance. That didn't work either.

Now the GE service center tells me that I can have one of their techs come in for $70. Then they will charge me another $70 to $150 for labor + $90 to $150 for the parts to fix the problem. So their service will cost me at least $230 and maybe even upto $370... and I would still be stuck with an old appliance.

Can anyone give me suggestions to see if the dishwasher is fixable or I just need to throw it away and buy a new one ?

Thanks,

K

[Childfree Scott]

Take off the access panel to the bottom of the unit and other front panels and look for a burnt wire. I had one on mine that burnt up (it was a ground wire). I soldered it back togather and my dishwasher is working just fine now.

Even if you end up replacing your dishwasher now, using it once/day for 4-5 years is a lot of usage and might be more equivalent to one that's much older...

[jeff]

Hi,

Burnt main power wire ( where the main power wire enters the d/w ), door switch(s), broken wire in the door ( esp where the door bends to open and close ), bad selector switch, timer.....these are some common trouble makers for going dead mid-cycle.

Probably not.

Good try!

A lot of guessing on prices and what parts -may- be needed!!

Most d/w's will last 10+ years....I'd check into seeing what is wrong with yours and what is required to repair it before replacing it....then you can make an educated decision.

jeff. Appliance Repair Aid

[Martik]