Is your Detergent Dispenser Door Not Opening?
Detergent tends to build up over time and you may find that one day the detergent dispenser door won’t open. The detergent acts like glue, sealing the cup. Your dishwasher’s detergent dispenser door is located on the inside panel of your dishwasher’s door. The best minor repair method is with a sponge and a bucket of warm water, and clean the detergent dispenser inside and out. If this doesn’t fix your problem, read on.
Let’s understand how detergent dispensers work. The detergent is placed in the dispenser and the spring-loaded door is pushed shut to lock. This keeps the detergent dry until later in the cycle. As the cycle progresses, a component will unlock, trigger the spring, allowing the door to open and the detergent to be released.
Not all dishwashers use the same components to open the detergent dispenser door. Depending on your dishwasher the components in this process may include:
-Timer and bi-metal switch.
-Timer and wax motor.
-Timer and magnetic coil.
The timer is responsible for the length of time your dishwasher runs each cycle. The timer sends an electrical current to each component at a specific time and for a determined length of time. When the timer indicates it’s ready for the detergent dispenser door to open, it will send a current to a bi-metal switch, coil, or a wax motor, causing the release of the door.
A bi-metal switch is an electrical component located behind the dishwasher detergent cup. This switch consists of two types of flexible metals bonded together to form one strip. An electrical current is sent to the bi-metal switch, heating the strip. Since the metals expand at different rates, the strip will bend. This action will open the detergent dispenser door. A defective bi-metal switch won’t expand enough to signal the release of the door and the switch will have to be replaced.
Many dishwasher manufacturers have replaced the bi-metal switch with a wax motor. There’s actually wax inside this small motor. The timer sends a current and the wax inside heats up. As the wax heats up it expands and pushes on a piston. The pressure from the piston releases the spring and opens the detergent dispenser door. If there’s anything wrong with the wax motor, you may have problems with your dishwasher releasing the detergent.
If your dishwasher doesn’t have a bi-metal switch or a wax motor, the timer sends the current to a magnetic coil, that also serves as an actuator. The magnetic coil activates a lever to release the door. If the lever or coil is broken or damaged in some way, it will not release the door.
Contact Burleigh Appliances today for a prompt and affordable service, and we will test your bi-metal switch, wax motor or coil. If one of these components aren’t the source of the problem, maybe it is your timer. You may need to replace it. Take care of your dishwasher and it will take care of you.
