SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

[markrobson]

Hi wondered if anyone could help diagnose a problem I have. Happened before going away over the weekend so it’s depressing coming home to the problem. Maybe coincidence but the salt was filled up the day it didn’t work. Basically it’s not circulating water / washing. I tried the various cycles and it will take water in, pump water out and heat water. On wash cycles you hear the pump pumping out first (sure it’s got noisier as years go by!) then there is a hum for a while then a gurgling sound. If opened the water is getting warm and dishwasher gets hot and steamy by end of longer cycles but nothing is washed and you can’t hear the water being sprayed around or see any sign of it if opened though the tablet releases. Have seen E3 error on the display indicating not heating water but presume it’s possibly a red herring. Got it outside now with bottom cover off and nothing obvious to see, flood float clicks, not dripping with water (odd tiny seepage probably from tipping over) Looking for advice on things I can test or that are likely to have failed given the symptoms. It’s probably 9 years old so might be considered an uneconomic repair if it’s the motor but all stainless panels undinted so seems a shame to loose it therefore seeing if it’s savable. Look forward to anyone’s input – thanks, Mark

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

Wondered if there is a temperature sensor that maybe switches on the circulation pump as the waters getting hot and the error code E3 means water not being heated, perhaps it’s a faulty sensor/switch??? Any experts out there like to take a stab it this for me please? Thanks, Mark

[lee8]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

The hint, it’s a biggy is the comment “you can’t hear the water being pumped around”. I’d suggest checking the pump that does that, as opposed the drainage one.

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

Thanks for the response Lee8. I’ll be looking at it again over the weekend and test the motor resistance when I’ve looked my meter out. Just trying to pick up as many hints and tips as possible to try out as many things as possible while i’m at it and have the time. Currently training up our 7 year old about washing up plates by hand, so old skool! Mark

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

Resistance of the circulation motor came in at 49.1 ohms, while its got some Im still unsure of what it should be in the region of? Anyone? Thanks.

[lee8]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

Assuming it’s label states 240 volts, 13 amps using ohms law it should have a resistance of 18 ohms. If you got access to a label on the motor it’s easy to work out resistance using the voltage and amp or wattage.

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

Thanks Lee8,
it’s italian make Bonferraro, label isnt great but it lists 220-240v and I think says Amp=0.7 and the following: VL=400 W=150 so if W=150 is watts then that is 384ohms using an online calculator and if that is 0.7amps its 342 ohms, similar numbers, are these reasonable numbers to be applicable to a circulation pump? I suppose if I had a bunch of them to try I could answer it myself! I only put the meter across the two main connections going in, they do in turn go off into a number of connections in differing colours but I didn’t check them.

[lee8]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

The smaller the wires on the windings/coils the higher the resistance.

[Dansta]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

Seized or blocked wash motor/ faulty start capacitor for wash motor.

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

So perhaps the motors okay but I should try to get it out (as i can’t get to the start capacitor in situ) and test that for resistance which will hopefully have details printed on it to work out the resistance? Unless they are all usually the same and someone knows what I should expect or if there is another test? Seriously tempted to buy one off ebay for £20 from someone having a replacement kitchen fitted! Ah but where’s the challenge in that.

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

I managed to get the capacitor off, visually fine. Attached ohmeter after discharging it with a light bulb. Then attached voltmeter and got a small showing of discharge from about 0.5v so it would appear to be working. I suppose next is try to get the motor out and somehow see if it spins if I can manage to get the plastic pump type housing off. Anyone with anything else to suggest please do as helps always appreciated.

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

I ‘flashed’ the motor – basically connected mains power directly to the motor via a lead made using a computer power lead with the end snipped off and insulated blue spade connectors fitted. Switched power on and off but it still hums which tells me the recirculating motor is not turning so not pumping. I don’t think the capacitor/starter is at fault from the test on that but because the motor hums it suggests the motor wants to start so I’ll probably try a capacitor/starter for the sake of £10 or thereabouts. I poked a screwdriver into the impeller housing inlet and turned the impeller okay so it’s not seized or stuck. At £200 a motor it’s not worth it if this doesn’t fix it, there was a whole one on ebay for spares but the motor had already gone! Hope this little exercise helps someone else diagnose theirs. Mark

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

Well I visited a local firm that sell and repair white goods. Took in my capacitor and asked for another 6uf one. Old chap came out the back to confirm an 8uf was what they had and would do the job, when I asked so does it mean they store more energy being an 8 he didn’t know, I wasn’t convincved but anyway I bought it, fitted it and bingo it worked! Jobs a good un as they say. However I’ve now read up on capacitors and more than a 10{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} difference can have an effect on power consumption, okay that not ideal but it can also lead to the motor failing prematurely as it’s overloading the windings with more power than it requires. SO I’ve ordered an original one which I’m hoping will be identical and will fit it and put the other in a drawer as a spare to get me out of jail another day. Lesson learnt is capacitors for what they cost are worth changing when a motor is humming as for what it costs it’s worth a try! Mark

[jimjury]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

Hi Mark,

I have exactly the same symptoms as you so am going to follow your suggestion and replace the capacitor.

Could someone be so kind as to send me a link to the type that you ordered please?

Also is it easy to find the offending item? I presume I need to tip the machine backwards and take the bottom off??

Many thanks

James

[markrobson]

Re: SMEG DWF614SS dishwasher not washing

I laid it on it’s back (used a sack truck with towels on it) and it’s tucked away underneath I think next to or on the motor, you’ll see it, not difficult to fit. Take it off and go to a local appliance repair shop asking for a similar item or look or contact ukwhitegoods here or google online for a smeg capacitor for your model of dishwasher

[Author]

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