To test a Whirlpool dishwasher drain pump, first turn off the power and water. Remove the lower access panel, locate the pump under the sump, and check for impeller blockages. Then, use a multimeter set to ohms to test the pump’s electrical terminals for continuity and resistance.
If the drain pump motor is not working, the dishwasher won't drain. To determine if the drain pump is defective, check the pump motor for continuity using a multimeter. If the motor does not have continuity, or if is getting power but won't run, replace the drain pump.
Common drain pump failure symptoms include: Incomplete cycles: Have you recently checked a wash load only to discover a full reservoir or soaked clothes? These issues indicate incomplete cycles, a hallmark of a failing drain pump. Stinky smells: You might detect rotten or decay odors wafting from your washing machine.
To check a faulty drain pump in an appliance like a washing machine or dishwasher, first isolate power and access the pump. Inspect and clear the filter for clogs. Check the impeller for physical damage and test its mechanical and electrical resistance with a multimeter.
To do this, set your multimeter to 200 ohms. Then place the two multimeter probes onto the drain pump's tabs from which you removed the electrical connections. If your drain pump is working properly, the multimeter should show a reading of between 160 and 260.
If a more complicated problem such as a failed drain pump or defective electronic control board is preventing the dishwasher from draining, then you'll need to consider replacing it if your dishwasher is older than 7 years and the repair will cost more than ½ the price of installing a new dishwasher.
Press "Heated Dry," "Normal," "Heated Dry," "Normal" within three seconds of the first pressed button. Now close the door, this should reset your dishwasher.
There may be a few reasons why your dishwasher won't drain. The most common source of clogs often comes from a blockage in the dishwasher's filter. Or, you may have an issue with your dishwasher's air gap, drain valve, drain hose or even your garbage disposal, causing your dishwasher to clog.
Signs That Your Dishwasher Needs a New Pump
More often than not, the real troublemaker is a faltering dishwasher drain pump. When a dishwasher pump failure strikes, water backs up, bringing funky smells, sluggish drainage, and even potential damage to your machine.
Some of these signs include:
To force a dishwasher to drain, press and hold the Cancel/Drain or Reset button for 3 to 5 seconds. If your model doesn't have a specific button, simply restart the cycle. Most dishwashers will automatically run a 1 to 2-minute drain cycle before taking in fresh water.
Pump failure symptoms depend on the specific type of pump (like water vs. fuel). Common signs across most automotive pumps include engine overheating, sputtering or power loss, fluid leaks, loud whining or grinding noises, and a check engine light or total failure to start.
Issues like leaks, poor drainage, unclean dishes, foul odors and overall appliance operation, though infrequent, can be the most common problems with a dishwasher that isn't operating properly. In some cases, you can resolve these issues with a little elbow grease and the help of your product manual.
Whirlpool dishwashers do not have a dedicated physical "reset" button. Instead, you can reset the control board by pressing and holding the Start button for 3 seconds, or by performing a power reset by turning off the circuit breaker or unplugging the unit for 1 minute.
To put most Whirlpool dishwashers into diagnostic mode: press any 3 keys in a 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 sequence. Pause for no more than one second between presses. All LEDs will light up, and the unit will run a 15–23 minute test cycle to check components and display error codes.
On average, you can expect a quality, professionally installed sump pump to last for approximately 7 to 10 years.
The average cost to fix a pump is around $150, with a range of $100 to $350. To troubleshoot, check for a clogged filter or faulty motor.
Plumbers can fix dishwashers in all states of disrepair, whether they're not draining or making sounds during a wash cycle. In particular, you'll want to call a plumber if: Water continues pooling at the bottom despite troubleshooting. The drain pump or motor is malfunctioning.
To test a drain pump with a multimeter, perform a Resistance (Ohms) test to check for internal coil faults and a Continuity test to verify there are no broken electrical connections.
The most common dishwasher fault is clogged or poor drainage. This occurs when food debris, grease, or foreign objects (like broken glass or food particles) block the primary drain filter, the drain hose, or the garbage disposal connection, leaving dirty, standing water at the bottom of the unit.
To check a dishwasher pump, first turn off the power and water. Inspect the filter and pump for debris, clear the drain hose, and test the pump’s electrical continuity with a multimeter. If the motor is seized, humming loudly, or has no electrical continuity, it usually requires replacement.