DIY & Home Improvement

irisblue

(34,265 posts) Mon Sep 11, 2017, 03:20 PM Sep 2017

detergent dispenser in 13 yr old Kenmore dishwasher isn't opening

during every wash cycle. It has failed 3 times in the last 10 days. I have used a wet cloth to dissolve the clumped powder, then used a toothbrush around the hatches that lock the dispenser shut. It is draining properly & both arms are moving with water.
I will be googling for the any vids on fixing this, however has anyone had this issue?

6 replies

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detergent dispenser in 13 yr old Kenmore dishwasher isn't opening (Original Post) irisblue Sep 2017 OP

No, but do you need to do anything? LisaM Sep 2017 #1

This. Nt Lilyhoney Sep 2017 #3

you have more patience than i do with appliances.. samnsara Sep 2017 #2

I always found Sears repair service to be useless flyingfysh Sep 2017 #4

I washed the dispenser off with vinegar, then ran a short cycle. irisblue Sep 2017 #5

We replaced ours. Relatively easy if you can run a screw driver. Hassin Bin Sober Sep 2017 #6

LisaM

(28,601 posts)

1. No, but do you need to do anything?

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Mon Sep 11, 2017, 03:23 PM

Sep 2017

Can't you just throw in one of those dishwasher pods? The outside just melts and you don't really need a dispenser.

Lilyhoney

(1,987 posts)

3. This. Nt

Reply to LisaM (Reply #1)

Mon Sep 11, 2017, 03:34 PM

Sep 2017

samnsara

(18,282 posts)

2. you have more patience than i do with appliances..

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Mon Sep 11, 2017, 03:26 PM

Sep 2017

.. I would be all for buying a new one...look at the Samsung's! My 7 yr old Kenmore fridge went out. Sears said they could look at it 'in a week'.. then what? order parts? I needed a fridge. Ordered one from Lowes..the Samsung Family Hub with the built in tv and all the rest. I LOVE IT...now I want to replace all my relatively-newish appliances with Samsung so I can control them all with my phone. Talk about lazeeeeee but I'm worth it. ( cuz imma princess lol)

otherwise just throw in a pod. I have never used my dispenser ever.

flyingfysh

(1,990 posts)

4. I always found Sears repair service to be useless

Reply to samnsara (Reply #2)

Mon Sep 11, 2017, 03:58 PM

Sep 2017

Even if it is covered by their "warranty", it often took a week or two to get an appointment. And even then, the guy was often unable to repair it. But they keep trying to peddle their service contracts.
My next dishwasher was from Lowe's. The one time I had a problem, their guy arrived within a day. We also got a LG stove from Lowe's, it is the best stove we ever had.

No wonder Sears is going bankrupt.

irisblue

(34,265 posts)

5. I washed the dispenser off with vinegar, then ran a short cycle.

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Mon Sep 11, 2017, 05:40 PM

Sep 2017

One video showed me how to get @ the spring that controls the opening of the dispenser. Since I can get @ the spring while seated, that's the next thing to try.::sigh::

Hassin Bin Sober

(26,693 posts)

6. We replaced ours. Relatively easy if you can run a screw driver.

Reply to irisblue (Original post)

Tue Sep 12, 2017, 02:26 AM

Sep 2017

A second set of hands always helps

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