dishwasher drain solenoid melting. causes?

mark_s...@ev1.net

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Aug 17, 2006, 3:21:27 PM8/17/06

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hi all. does anyone know if there are 'common' causes for a dishwasher
drain solenoid melting? ge model gsd2000g00ww. the plastic casing melts
and once cooled down the metal plunger inside can't move, therefore
doesn't drain.

it's about 2 1/2 years old. first failed 2 months ago, failed again
this weekend. easy to replace but now i'm wondering if there's
something upstream of the part causing it to fail. found several
websites saying it's a common problem but nothing i found mentioned a
solution other than replacing the part. any thoughts appreciated.
thanks.

Speedy Jim

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Aug 17, 2006, 8:44:34 PM8/17/06

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mark_s...@ev1.net wrote:

Should only overheat if the plunger doesn't seat fully.

I suspect this is a solenoid design flaw.
Get a good appliance parts house to suggest a good alternative
(even generic) replacement.

Jim

Art Todesco

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Aug 17, 2006, 9:09:46 PM8/17/06

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Many solenoids in dishwashers are
intermittent duty only. On my KitchenAid,
the timer only allows the drain to work
for 1 minute. If it is longer, i.e. the
timer
hangs up, the solenoid will burn/melt.
In my 1st KA, many years ago, this happened.
Yet it didn't seem to happen again. I
was warned by the KA people, at that
time a very customer service oriented
company, that once it happens, it may
happen again. I actually designed a
little board that electronically
interrupted power
to the solenoid after about 70 seconds.
It never burned out again.

Speedy Jim

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Aug 17, 2006, 9:49:42 PM8/17/06

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Art Todesco wrote:

<SNIP>

>
> Many solenoids in dishwashers are intermittent duty only. On my
> KitchenAid,
> the timer only allows the drain to work for 1 minute. If it is longer,
> i.e. the timer
> hangs up, the solenoid will burn/melt. In my 1st KA, many years ago,
> this happened.
> Yet it didn't seem to happen again. I was warned by the KA people, at that
> time a very customer service oriented company, that once it happens, it may
> happen again. I actually designed a little board that electronically
> interrupted power
> to the solenoid after about 70 seconds. It never burned out again.

LOL!
A man after my own heart!

You're right about the intermittent duty on the drain;
I missed that.
Jim

mark_s...@ev1.net

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Aug 17, 2006, 10:08:38 PM8/17/06

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i wish i had your ability to make my own board. any way my timer's bad?
it's not much more than the solenoid if i ever have to replace it again
but i'd hate to replace it if it isn't a possible cause. much more of
this and it'll be more cost effective to buy a new dishwasher. any way
for me to know (by sight/sound) how long the timer/solenoid is running?
thanks everyone for your thoughts.

frank1492

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Aug 17, 2006, 10:16:05 PM8/17/06

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If you listen carefully, most solenoids make a distinct hum or buzz
when activated, at least mine do. In one of my washers, the solenoid
stays on for a least two minutes during each water intake cycle and
I've never had to replace it.
Frank

Art Todesco

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Aug 18, 2006, 12:54:00 AM8/18/06

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Actually, before I built the "timer
board" I put an audible "buzzer" across
the solenoid. I think it was a 110 to 6
volt transformer and a Sonalert.
It was real annoying, however, it gave
feedback that the timer was not
stuck.