The Virtual Repairman's Appliance Help

troymichcpl · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

My dishwasher is emitting a constant beep/tone, even after resetting the circuit breaker multiple times. No control panel lights are lit and all buttons are unresponsive. Owners manual is useless for diagnosing the issue. Anyone have any clues as to what the issue might be?

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject: bad control

The tech sheet does not have a mention of this because it is a non-typical failure. The control board may have failed. The model you provided is a not a genuine model number so I can't speculate on the correct part. I do offer the GE Dishwasher Repair Guide on CD ROM for this series if you intend to do much repair on it in the future.

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troymichcpl · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

Sorry, I added an extra digit. The correct model # is PDW9880J00SS

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject: model

OK, so now you likely need a WD21X10187 control module to fix the problem. It's mounted in between the door panels.

Here's the GE techsheet on your model. It shows how to test the control and other components.

troymichcpl · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

Thank you so much, but the tech sheet you linked to does not seem to be for me model (mine is a PDW9880J00SS). The tech sheet you references is for 8900, 9700, and 9900 series models per the cover page. Is it the same? I don't want to order the wrong part from you and want to make sure I understand how to intall the part before I order it.

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:35 am Post subject: tech sheet

The free tech sheet I offered you was for instructional purposes only, since it shows how to open and service similar models. The part number I provided you for the control however, was determined by your exact model number and is 100% correct. If you didn't glean any information from it, I am sorry. You can always call our distributors with your model number or go to the parts lookup and type it in yourself to see a blowup of your exact model. There are hundreds of similar model numbers that all break down the same way, just with different part numbers for the internal controls.

The CD ROM shows how to do everything associated with repairs on this series of dishwashers, including videos of the service procedures. Doesn't get much more helpful that that!

troymichcpl · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 13 Apr 2008 Posts: 4

After replacing the control module on my GE model PDW9880J00SS dishwasher, it is STILL emitting a constant tone from the control module itself. This tone continues even when both ribbons from the keyad / display are disconnnted. In fact, the tone begins once the two wire connector (black & white) is connected to the control module. Any thoughts on what could be wrong if it's obviously not the control module or keypad / display? Any help would be greatly appreciated as I can't afford to pay for a service call that will likely end-up costing me $300.

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:36 am Post subject: bad control?

It would not be the first time someone has gotten a bad control from a parts distributor...once in awhile it happens. Since you notice the noise without connecting the ribbon, we know the control panel buttons are OK. What is the voltage measured between the black and the white wires going to the harness on the control?

The manual sheet mentions the smart dispenser as having a sensor on it as well. Have you checked it to see if it is clogged or otherwise not operational?
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jhamiltonfmly · Apprentice DIYer Joined: 21 Jan 2009 Posts: 4

my dishwasher has the same constant beep. I also replaced the control module, but it did not help. did you find out problem?

Virtual Repairman · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:12 pm Post subject: sensor

Well I looked at the tech sheet and it points to a dirty or bad turbidity sensor. This is a disc-shaped device mounted on the right of the pump which monitors the dirtiness of the wash water. Depending on how dirty the water gets, this sensor will increase or decrease the wash time needed to do the load..

My understanding is that the sensor is likely bad. In the tech sheet I provided above, you will find a reference to the Factory Test mode. This will point out if the sensor is the problem. Follow the steps to enter the service mode.

Turbidity Sensor-

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