Your float assembly is found inside the dishwasher's tub, on the bottom. The water that fills your dishwasher lifts the float, and when it reaches a certain level, it acts as a trigger for the float switch. The float triggers the float switch to shut off, thereby shutting off the flow of water into the dishwasher.
But if the float is broken or stuck, it may not allow your unit to fill with water at all. To check the float, you'll need to unplug your dishwasher and remove its lower rack in order to access the float assembly cover. Remove the cover and inspect the float by trying to move it up and down within the dishwasher.
If your float is moving freely, but your dishwasher is still overflowing, the float switch could be the problem. If the switch is faulty, it will have to be replaced. If your dishwasher is overflowing or leaking, please contact us, and we'll send one of our trusted technicians to inspect and fix your appliance.
A dishwasher's float switch will sit below the float assembly. So find your float assembly inside your dishwasher, and your switch will be located directly below it in the access area. It will likely be either on the left or the right hand side. There are going to be two wires connected to the float switch.
Attach the MultiMeter leads to the float switch wires. The Multimeter should be set to the Ohms. The MultiMeter should read zero when the float hangs in the down position. Lifting the float will change the zero to one.
The float in your dishwasher makes sure that there isn't too much water coming into the basin of your dishwasher. When water reaches the appropriate level, the float rises and stops the water intake valve from pumping more water into the basin. However, sometimes the float can get dirty with food particles.
The reason for water not going into your dishwasher could be that a float is stuck in the shut-off position, preventing water delivery. If that's the case, homeowners should call technicians to assess float assembly and replace the component if needed.
When it comes to the failure of this type of float switch, it generally comes down to certain common causes. These causes include the incorrect configuration of the switch, poor maintenance, using a float switch that is not designed for the purpose or using a float switch that is not properly rated for the application.
Unscrew the float switch where it connects to the cap. Save the screws just in case your replacement float switch doesn't come with any. Place the new float switch in the same position as the old float switch. Screw it back into place.
These old float switches didn't have many operations and needed to be replaced about every 3 years or so, making them expensive to keep up with. However, new float switch manufacturers are producing water level control technology that is getting rid of old float switches for good.
Bypass the circuit on the original float switch and use silicone sealant to thoroughly seal the housing. Loosely attach the replacement switch to the pump housing with a zip tie. Plug the switch into the outlet and plug the bypass plug into the switch.
Open the KitchenAid dishwasher door, and pull out the bottom dish rack. Grab the float with your fingers, and tip the float toward the rear of the dishwasher. Lift the float up as you continue tipping toward the rear of the dishwasher until it disengages from the overfill assembly body.
To reach the float switch, remove your dishwasher's lower access panel with a Phillips screwdriver. Once you've taken out the screws, lift off the panel and take out the sound dampening insulation. Beneath the panel on the right side, you'll find the float switch cover.
A possible cause for a KitchenAid dishwasher not draining is a defective drain pump. The drain pump forces the water through the drain hose. If you continue to find water in bottom of dishwasher, a failed pump may be the culprit. The pump is not repairable – if you have a defective pump it needs to be replaced.
To reset the dishwasher control panel, it needs to be disconnected from the power source for one minute. If your dishwasher is plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the unit for one minute and then plug the unit back in.