It’s no fun to have to deal with a broken or faulty pump of a GE dishwasher. Not only can it be time-consuming, but you’ll have to get your hands dirty inside of the appliance to fix it.
You may also need to spend money on parts that you don’t have or tools that you aren’t familiar with using in order to properly repair your dishwasher.
I also spent a lot of money unknowingly because I did not have prior knowledge.
After some knowledge and going through various posts on the internet, I was finally able to solve it.
All of this can be avoided if you do some research and learn how to diagnose the problem. Please keep reading to find out what it takes!
Table of Contents
ToggleClean Out the Chute
The main reason dishwashers are having drain problems is because there’s debris or grime building up in the drain line.
Run a pot of hot water down your sink. It’ll be faster than filling a bowl and waiting for it to heat up.
Then keep an eye on your dishwasher hose as you do. You should see some movement when you push down on it with your fingers.
If you can’t, there may be gunk clogging it, which is why running more hot water through it won’t solve your problem.
Water Inlet Valve Shutoff
In case you hear a high-pitched squeal when you open or close your dishwasher, chances are your water inlet valve shutoff is sticking.
If it’s making noise but doesn’t seem to be stuck, spray a little penetrating oil into it and wait for 30 minutes or so before turning on your machine again.
If that doesn’t work—and it most likely won’t—remove and replace it with a new one. You may also have to replace its companion: the pressure switch.
It tends to break after many years of use, so if yours hasn’t been replaced yet (the switch comes with most new washers), give that part of your dishwasher a look as well.
Motor and Gear Assembly Replacement
This part is generally easy to replace, but if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, it’s best to contact a professional.
If your dishwasher isn’t draining water from a wash cycle and you have confirmed that all of your connections are intact and that there are no leaks within your house, chances are good that you need to replace one or both of these parts.
However, because these items can vary in size and shape based on model and manufacturer, it’s best to follow any specific directions included with new components.
Once you have all of the pieces out, unscrew them from their previous location and connect them back into place with ease! Ensure that everything is secured properly before plugging back in your dishwasher for a test run.
Thermostat Replacement
A bad thermostat can be a big problem if your dishwasher isn’t draining properly. If you do notice that it’s not draining, first try to unclog any hoses or pipes with water running through them.
In case those don’t work, check under your sink for a dishwasher drain pump; if you have one, unplug it and turn off the power at your breaker box.
Then, clean off its blades and remove any food residue around it. You may need to replace it completely—or replace just its motor—but either way should get things working again.
Drain Pump Repair/Replacement
The drain pump is a critical component of your dishwasher. The pump provides water for both washing and rinsing. Without it, you have no way to remove soiled dishes and clean them; there’s no reason to put more money into an appliance that isn’t working correctly.
With proper maintenance, your dishwasher will run much more efficiently, and you won’t have to worry about costly repairs or replacements in a few years.
For optimal performance, follow these tips The best time to clean out your drain pump is when you are replacing its filter screen.
If you aren’t sure how often to replace it, check your owner’s manual or ask a professional for advice.
You can also try running some vinegar through a cycle with no dishes in order to loosen any clogs inside of the pump itself.
Check to see if there are any clogs by removing its cover plate (usually located on top) and looking inside with a flashlight.
If you find something lodged inside, use pliers to pull out whatever debris may be causing problems. Be careful not to damage anything while doing so!
Also read: Start GE Dishwasher With Dial Issue Solved
Also watch this video to fix this issue
Conclusion
Sometimes your dishwasher drain pump isn’t working because of clogs or mechanical issues, which are typically easier to fix than electrical problems.
Here are a few things you can do to get it working again: First, check for any debris in the pump chamber. If there’s a lot of dirt or small objects, remove them with tweezers (very carefully!) and then try starting up your dishwasher again.
If that doesn’t work, try cleaning out your filter—again, be careful when doing so since water may have splashed over onto hot surfaces! Finally, if these fixes don’t solve your problem then it might be an electrical issue and you should have someone come take a look at it.
You can also contact GE support if you are unable to solve the problem. In this case, contact them and ask them to solve the problem.