How to tell if a drain pump is bad on a dishwasher?

Author: Arnulfo Crona  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Finally, to be sure your drain pump is working properly, you can test it with a multimeter on the two terminals. Your multimeter should show a reading of about 200 ohms for a working drain pump.

How do I know if my dishwasher drain pump is bad?

However, while gravity does a bit of the work, the water is forced down the drain using pressure from a drain pump. This means if you open your dishwasher after a cycle and find standing water still in the bottom, it could mean that your drain pump has gone faulty.

How do I know if my dishwasher needs a new pump?

If you find water pooling across the bottom of the tub area or leaking onto the floor when you open the dishwasher door, then the drain pump motor could be malfunctioning and you will need a dishwasher pump replacement.

What are the symptoms of bad drain pump?

Disruptive noises: When your washing machine makes loud, thumping sounds during the drainage phase, it might indicate that the pump has a clog or can't effectively empty the water. No washer movement: Washing machines spin and jerk quickly to loosen dirt on fabrics.

Can a dishwasher pump burn out?

Dishwasher Drain Pump Issues

The motor of the drain pump can burn out or malfunction, leading to drainage issues. The impeller inside the pump can also be blocked or damaged, preventing water from being pumped out.

✨ HOW TO CHECK A DISHWASHER DRAIN MOTOR - That’s Not Working ✨

What does a bad dishwasher drain pump sound like?

Grinding or buzzing noise

You can hear your dishwasher grind or buzz when it forces water down the drain. If the sound is very loud, check your pump impeller. To do this, you will need to remove the lower basket, spray arm and filter unit.

Is it expensive to replace a dishwasher pump?

Pump - The pump is responsible for circulating water throughout the dishwasher. If it fails, your dishes won't be cleaned properly. 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.

How to test if a washer drain pump is bad?

First, set your multimeter to the 2k setting, which stands for 2 kiloohms. Then place the two multimeter prongs into the socket in which the electrical connection was connected. If your drain pump is working properly, the multimeter should show a reading between 160 ohms to 260 ohms (with about 5% leeway).

What is the life expectancy of a drain pump?

While you can probably expect to get 8-12 years out of the average pump, there are any number of factors which will have an effect on the lifespan of your sump pump; from the sturdiness and build quality to how often it's turned on.

Why is my dishwasher not draining but no blockage?

Reasons why your dishwasher might not be draining

We recommend checking the filter first, because that's quite easy to solve yourself. If the filter isn't blocked, the other potential reasons are: A blockage in the dishwasher's drain hose. Debris in the dishwasher's drain pump.

How long do dishwasher drain pumps last?

While that may seem like a lot, keep in mind that a lot of these pumps come with a guaranteed lifespan of around two decades. That's more than your dishwasher will last you. However, there is something else you ought to consider before you replace the pump. Check the general health of the appliance first.

How do I know if I need a new dishwasher pump?

Water will not pump into the dishwasher.

Dishwashers have sensors and water pumps they use to let the computer inside them know when to pump water in and pump it out. If this sensor is dirty, has become stuck, or has broken, it needs to be repaired. If the pump has failed, it also needs to be replaced.

How do I know if my dishwasher drain hose is clogged?

Signs Of A Clogged Dishwasher Drain Hose
  1. Odd Gurgling Sounds.
  2. Water Is Backed Up.
  3. Slow Drainage.
  4. Dishes Are Dirty.
  5. Standing Water.
  6. Preventing Dishwasher Clogs.
  7. First Class Plumbing With Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric.

How do you diagnose a dishwasher problem?

How to Diagnose Dishwasher Problems
  1. Overloading By putting too many dishes in each load, you may cause the machine to leak. ...
  2. Faulty Door Seal Check the plastic seal around the door of your dishwasher. ...
  3. Excessive Detergent Check your detergent tray. ...
  4. Faulty pipe connections Check the pipes in the back of your machine.

What causes drain pump to go bad?

As drain pump is an electronic device and runs with the help of a motor, therefore: The impeller of the pump can undergo mechanical failure due to clogging. The pump seal can cause it to fail. The engine of the washer pump is experiencing electronic loss.

How much is a drain pump repair?

Washing machine pump repair costs $150 to $350 on average to replace the drain pump. A new pump for a washing machine costs $20 to $100 for the part alone. The drain pump removes water from the tub during the drain cycle. A broken drain pump causes leaks, drain blockage, or loud noises.

What happens when a condensate pump fails?

It will be efficiently pumping moisture from your condensate recovery system. However, once it stops working the way it is supposed to, it can cause many problems. If the water overflows, it leads to big messes and can damage the surrounding areas. A faulty condensate pump will often cause a back-up of excess water.

How can I test my dishwasher drain pump?

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.

Will a bad drain pump cause a washer to not spin?

Your washing machine may fail to run the spin cycle because it cannot drain the water out of the drum. In this case, the problem likely is a result of a clogged or faulty drain pump.

How do I know if my washer fluid pump is bad?

If you activate the windshield washer and don't hear the pump's distinct sound, then the pump is either broken or not receiving any power. This can be due to faulty wiring or other electrical issues.

Is my dishwasher drain pump bad?

Finally, to be sure your drain pump is working properly, you can test it with a multimeter on the two terminals. Your multimeter should show a reading of about 200 ohms for a working drain pump.

What is the most expensive part of a dishwasher?

The control board or electronic control unit is typically the most expensive part in a dishwasher. It manages all the dishwasher's functions, such as the wash cycles, water temperature, and the timing of the washing and drying processes.

How long should a dishwasher last?

However, dishwashers don't last forever. The life expectancy of a dishwasher is about 10 years, according to manufacturers surveyed by Consumer Reports.

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