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Hi everyone,
We have a Whirlpool dishwasher, model number DWF417, which we purchased from Ikea a little over two years ago.
Recently, it has started with a strange problem – when the wash cycle is nearing completion, it fails to drain and appears to be trying and failing to initiate the drain cycle. It starts, whirrs for a second or two, bleeps a couple of times and stops. Approximately 20 seconds or so later, this repeats.
Opening the door and switching off the machine followed by starting any new wash cycle starts by draining, so I know there’s no problem with the drainage flow. For good measure, I detached the hoses and checked them, removed the filter and cleaned every thing that looked even slightly mucky. To no avail.
I am convinced that the problem is electronic, rather than mechanical, as the draining clearly works if the ‘stuck’ cycle is interrupted and a new cycle started.
Can anyone advise?
Many thanks,
John
Re: Whirlpool DWF417 (Ikea model) not draining – can you hel
If it is actually faulting, the power lamp should be flashing in a pattern – ie 1-2-3-4-pause-repeat. This is an error code, which would offer us some guidance.
Regards,
Penguin45.Re: Whirlpool DWF417 (Ikea model) not draining – can you hel
OK, I’ve started it again and here’s what is happening:
WHen the problem occurs, there are two beeps followed by a gap (equal to the space that two beeps would take) and a final beep. So, that’s
Beep beep (pause) (pause) Beep
…and the final beep might sound a little shorter to my ears, but that could be me imagining it.
Each ‘beep sequence’ is followed by twelve flashes of the lamp, with the thirteenth flash coinciding with the next set of beeps.
Also, at roughly the same time as the first beep, there is a click noise, followed by some water noise (but not draining noises) – more like the sound of the water being sloshed around inside.
I’m certain it’s not a blockage thing as I mentioned before – stopping and then starting a new programme will cause the dishwasher to drain. Unless I’m missing something here…??
Hopefully this helps you diagnose things. I’m a bit stumped as to what to try next.
Many thanks,
John
Re: Whirlpool DWF417 (Ikea model) not draining – can you hel
Sorry, meant to add that it’s the second indicator that’s flashing 12/13 times. According to the instructions that’s an ‘overfill’ situation – but why is it happening and how do I cure it?
Re: Whirlpool DWF417 (Ikea model) not draining – can you hel
Further question:
There’s a small plastic piece, crescent shaped with a vertical piece, which sits on top of a smaller vertical piece, just to the side of the filter mechanism. This is easily removed, revealing a pipe which connects to a hose. The smaller vertical piece, which is moulded to the same part as the filter mechanism housing, appears to have a hose connected to it below (though I can’t easily see).
What is the purpose of this mechanism, and how does it work? Should it move freely up and down, or should it be pressed firmly into place (with the top part pressed down onto the lower part).
When I do this, it appears to stick, and I am wondering whether this might be the cause of the problem? Or am I barking up the wrong tree?
I’d contact a UKWG repairer, but there are none in my area 🙁
John
Re: Whirlpool DWF417 (Ikea model) not draining – can you hel
Will you pop up the 12nc number, please – starts 85……
It’s a beauty this one – there are three versions of the machine; one is made by Bosch, the others by SMEG. Yes, I know it’s got a Whirlpool badge on it!
Thanks,
Penguin45.Re: Whirlpool DWF417 (Ikea model) not draining – can you hel
Right, you have the SMEG slimline machine, which means that most of what we’ve said so far is not applicable to your appliance. Our response to date has been for the “pukka” Whirlpool appliances. Sorry.
That said, this is the sort of problem we have to deal with every day – what are we actually repairing today?
I would suggest…. The drain pump itself may be worn and require a new motor unit. They don’t always want to go first time. The soap dispenser is a known weak spot on these appliances – dodgy solenoids, poor wiring and water ingress can make the computer do weird things.
Based on your initial post, I fear that you are correct, the computer board may well be playing up. Given that it’s £100+, perhaps pro help may be the best way to go.
Regards,
Penguin45.Re: Whirlpool DWF417 (Ikea model) not draining – can you hel
Thanks. One thing I did do was to completely empty the unit of water (as much as I could do, using cups and rags). I also tilted it onto its side, and some more water came out. I then checked all the electrical connections that I could reach underneath (without removing the base, which I reckoned was a bit fiddly). I then re-assembled all the bits, and reconnected to power and pipes.
We ran a single wash through just to test and it appeared to go all of the way, no problem.
So, I may have cured the problem (perhaps only temporarily) – I shall report back once we’ve enough dishes for a proper trial.
Fingers crossed!
Sadly I was wrong and the problem persists. We are now going to try various cycles with dirty dishes to see if the ‘workaround’ is going to be able to do the job.
Anyone any further ideas what could be wrong?
Re: Whirlpool DWF417 (Ikea model) not draining – can you hel
Have you actually stripped and checked the drain pump? This should offer some guidance:
http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/modules.p … ge&pid=160Penguin45.
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