12 components coveredField manual · Dishwasher
Whirlpool / KitchenAid / Maytag dishwasher: field service manual
Covers: Whirlpool-built 24 in built-in dishwashers sold under Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana and JennAir, including third-rack KitchenAid/Whirlpool models and older units with a hard-food disposer. Platforms differ by era; always pull the tech sheet from the envelope behind the toe kick.
The largest US dishwasher family. Older units (roughly pre-2011) used a self-cleaning filter with a hard-food disposer (chopper) at the pump; most current units use a manual-clean two-piece filter (upper cylinder and lower screen) and are quieter but need regular filter cleaning. They use an exposed or tub-mounted heating element for wash heat and heated dry, a pump-and-motor assembly on a central sump, a separate drain pump, an OWI (optical water indicator) soil sensor and a float switch in the base. Codes are shown as F#E# on current models.
Safety first
- Power off at the breaker before opening the toe kick or door panels.
- Water off before disconnecting the inlet valve.
- Watch for glass in the sump.
- Live-voltage checks at loads during the service cycle are caution steps; keep hands clear of terminals.
- Get help to pull and lay down the unit.
How it works
Start: the drain pump runs briefly, then the inlet valve fills to a level set by time and/or a float switch. Whirlpool asks for a hot line at 20-120 psi delivering about 120 °F at the dishwasher.
Wash: the wash motor drives the circulation pump in the sump and sends water to the lower arm, the mid arm and the upper spray/third-rack spray. Many current models use a diverter to alternate flow between zones; check the parts diagram for your model.
Heating: a heating element in the bottom of the tub (or under it on some platforms) raises water temperature while the thermistor reports to the control. Temperature holds can lengthen the cycle when supply water is cool. The element is protected by a hi-limit thermostat/thermal fuse on many models.
Soil sensing: the OWI sensor in the sump reads water clarity. The control uses it to decide how many fills and rinses to run; a dirty lens or a leaky drain check valve that lets dirty water back in can confuse it. Whirlpool groups thermistor/OWI faults under F3E2.
Drain: the drain pump is a separate small pump mounted on the sump; it pushes water through a check valve to the hose, air gap or disposer. Long drain sets F9E1; drain motor faults set F9E2.
Dry: heated-dry models run the element during dry with a vent opening on some models; many newer ones add a fan. Rinse aid is still needed.
Flood protection: a float in the tub (and on some models a base switch) stops the fill if the level gets too high or water reaches the base; codes F6E4 and F8E4 relate to it.
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Always confirm values against the tech sheet for the exact model.
OnCall Tech is a reference tool for trained technicians and can make mistakes. Always disconnect power and confirm with the manufacturer's documentation before you work. © 2026 OnCall Tech. Original content; not a reproduction of any manufacturer document.Generic part photos (not of this brand): Large stainless refrigerator set flush between kitchen cabinets by Alex Qian, Pexels License
