Bosch dishwasher SGS55C02GB/01 lower arm not spinning

[digitaldug]

Problem as per title. I have checked that the arm is not blocked, have cleaned all components internally and have replaced the heater/valve assembly for a new one from Bosch, but lower arm still doesn’t spin (although water comes out of the arm). The top arm spins fine. I noticed in the heater I removed that one outlet disc was mostly open while the other (presumably for the lower arm) was only partially open. This may explain why the lower arm is not spinning but some water comes out of it (the pressure is insufficient because the valve isn’t opening fully thus restricting the flow. My understanding is that as one valve opens fully, the other should fully close, and this cycles at @ one minute intervals). Does anyone know what might be going wrong? Is whatever controls the valves malfunctioning (possibly a logic board)? Is there a way to test the valves are working properly in the heater (just in case the new unit is faulty, and also to see if the old one was)? Also I’m wondering if the machine has to be reset after replacing the heater; if so, what combination of buttons do you press for this specific machine?

There is a button for upper rack only which lights when it’s pressed, but the lower arm doesn’t spin even when that light is out.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If it’s likely to cost much more to fix, I’ll reluctantly have to get a new one. Just can’t do without one though; I’d forgotten how awful washing up by hand is!

[electrofix]

the diverter valve is driven by a motor from the timer
I would take the timer apart and look for damage

is the part you changed 00497124 if yes was it used ?

Dave

[digitaldug]

Hi Dave,

Many thanks for replying. The part changed was 00497124, and the replacement part was a new genuine Bosch part.
How difficult is it to take the timer apart?
Is it possible to test the motor on the heater unit, in case that’s faulty?

Thanks

Neil

[electrofix]

take the timer out , unplug all the wires and the box has plastic latches holding it closed. Carefully unlatch these and open the box and inspect the board for damage
if the motor is running it will be ok unless there is debris in the impellor

Dave

[digitaldug]

I’ve taken the timer out and examined the wiring to it and the circuit boards and can’t see anything untoward (like dry solder joints, blown capacitors). Put it back together and turned it in to wash, but no change.
I’m still wondering if the motor for the diverter valve is not running. The water is not switching from the top arm to the bottom, most water is coming out from the top and spinning that arm and at the same time some is coming out through the bottom but not with enough force to spin the lower arm.

[electrofix]

does sound like it
since you have had this unit out check the electrical connection is secure and in properly, check the wires that go from this sw back to the timer looking for damage or breaks

Dave

[digitaldug]

Have checked the wires, can’t find any breaks in continuity or loose connections. So I’m not sure what to do now. I’m guessing it could be either a faulty control panel or the heater unit. Problem is that I can’t justify paying near £100 for a new control panel on top of the cost of the heater, so I think I’ll have to cut my losses and stump up for a new dishwasher.
Many thanks, Dave, in trying to get to the bottom of this problem.

I really appreciated your help.

[electrofix]

just to let you know the new bosch system is not a patch on this old one. if you do go for a bosch unit make sure its got an all metal tub. the cheap ones have a plastic floor and its nothing but trouble

Dave

[digitaldug]

That’s progress, I guess! I was going to order an SMS25AW00G but this does have a plastic floor. What sort of trouble does this cause? Do you have any recommendations, Dave, whether Bosch or any other manufacturer? I was thinking Bosch because the one we have has lasted well, and we have a Siemens washing machine which is even older and, touch wood, has been completely trouble free (just needed brushes a few year’s ago). I just want something that’s reliable but not too expensive.

[electrofix]

well bosch and siemens are the same machine really just different cases this includes Neff as well

we have had a lot of problems of leaking where the plastic base joins the metal sides. they have tried various things but its not 100{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d}.
so you either go for one further up the range with a metal base, Go upmarket and get a miele or go down market and get a Beko

went to 2 dishwashers last week, A bosch machine about 7 years old with a motor unit gone because the heater had failed ( heater and motor is one unit these days) and a Siemans machine over 25 years old with a failed on off switch. I fixed them both but the older Siemans was a lot cheaper and a lot better built

Dave

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