drain motor separate from circ motor.
seems to have a high loop
no apparent check valve
Dishwasher: Won't drain
If water remains in the dishwasher after the cycle ends, check the kitchen sink drain to make sure it's not clogged. If there's no clog, try pressing the Cancel button; most dishwashers run the drain pump when the Cancel button is pressed.
If these tips don’t help, a broken drain pump, damaged check valve, clogged drain path or control failure (timer or electronic control) could be preventing the dishwasher from draining water. A clog in the upper pump assembly or chopper blade area can also prevent water from draining. Some dishwashers use the same pump for circulation and draining, so you may need to replace the pump assembly in that type of dishwasher.
Make sure that water drains through the kitchen sink drain because a clogged sink drain won’t allow water to drain from the dishwasher. If the kitchen sink drain is clear, check the drain hose for clog and clear the drain hose if it’s clogged. Our Dishwasher Not Draining Video shows how to check the drain hose.
The drain hose on many dishwashers includes a check valve that prevents water from backing up into the dishwasher sump through the drain hose. The check valve in some dishwashers is located in the upper sump assembly or next to the chopper blade assembly. If the check valve is damaged, water may initially drain out of the dishwasher while the drain pump runs but then flow back into the dishwasher after the drain pump stops. Examine the check valve and replace it if it’s damaged.
Water flows down to the drain pump through the upper sump assembly on some dishwashers. A clog in the upper pump assembly can prevent water from reaching the drain pump. Check the upper sump assembly for a clog and clear any debris that blocks drain water flow.
Some dishwashers have a chopper blade that shreds debris as the circulation pump runs. The chopper blade sometimes fails to break up large debris and some items such as jar labels and glass. When the chopper blade area gets clogged with debris, water may not reach the drain pump so the dishwasher won’t drain out the water. Check the chopper blade area and clear any debris from that area of the sump.
If the drain path is clear, a failed drain pump or bad control could be preventing the dishwasher from draining. If the drain pump doesn’t run or doesn’t pump out water when activated, replace the drain pump. If the timer or electronic control doesn’t activate the drain pump during the drain portion of the cycle, replace the control device.
Some dishwashers use the same pump to circulate water through the spray arms and drain the dishwasher. The pump runs one direction to move water through the spray arms and the opposite direction to drain the water. If the pump doesn’t run in the drain direction when activated, replace the pump assembly.
Repair the dishwasher upper circulation pump assembly
Some dishwashers have a portion of the circulation pump assembly that can be accessed and repaired from inside the dishwasher tub (from the top of the circulation pump assembly). A clog, a foreign object or a failed seal can prevent the water from flowing to the spray arms. A clog or failed check valve can prevent the dishwasher from draining. Remove the lower spray arm and the top of the sump to inspect the upper circulation pump when spray is weak or the dishwasher won’t drain. Clear any clogs and replace any damaged parts to restore water flow to the spray arms or drain pump.
