The computer motherboard failed on the 2.5 year old stainless SEARS KENMORE dishwasher.  After the repairman attempted to replace it twice to no avail, he informed us that this was a problem he had been encountering more and more and that the computer motherboards are frequently discontinued and that new motherboards aren't compatible with even slightly older models.  His rueful advice - buy another dishwasher.

So, I checked with Sears and they had indeed discontinued the motherboard with no replacement options.  When I complained, I was told 'Sorry' and then directed to my nearest Sears outlet to purchase a brand new dishwasher.  Thanks Sears!

So now, we have a $700+, 2.5 year old stainless steel dishwasher that would work perfectly if it wasn't for the poor quality computer parts that the manufacturer chose to put into them and then not support. 

Has anyone else been encountering this problem?
Any suggestions on what to do about it besides buying another new dishwasher and praying that it lasts more than 2.5 years?

wow -
I wonder what they tell folk who bought the 5 YEAR EXTENDED warrantee?

Yet, again, we have an example of why RETURN policies trump virtually all other measures of reliability and  performance.

see my other post in washers and dryers about return policies.

Or check COSTCO and SAMS CLUB for yourself...

I have a 9-year old Maytag that is in the fire hazard recall. It is one of the last models with a mechanical dial, not a circuit board.

I've been following this forum for several months, trying to decide whether to get it fixed (free) or buy a new one and get a $75 rebate (only on Maytag, Whirlpool, and KitchenAid).

So far I've learned that both options are bad:
1. The repair process often destroys other components, and it's difficult to get the parts.
2. Newer dishwasher components are very unreliable. (Seems to hold for many things these days.)

I will probably buy a new one, but the cheapest model I can find that still qualifies for the $75 rebate.

I am also very tempted to simply throw away the one I have, add storage shelves in the open area, and do my dishes by hand.

Bob

Are you disappointed that the 9 year old device didn't last longer?

or

Are you concerned that some replacement won't last as long?

What would you consider to be a reasonable life for a dishwasher?

I would call Whirlpool since they are the one that built your dishwasher. See what they tell you about the obsolete part.

800-253-1301---Whirlpool

First, the 9-year old dishwasher still works fine. It has been recalled by Maytag due to a possible fire hazard.

Second, I only use the dishwasher 2 - 3 times a week. My previous dishwasher lasted 23 years.

Given the light use, I was expecting the current dishwasher to last another few years. I have almost concluded that it probably does not have $75 (the rebate amount) of life left in it. But from the horror stories I'm reading about the newer devices, I'm not sure that spending $500+ for a new dishwasher will give me a device that will last longer than repairing my current one.

On another note, I just read where the original poster in this thread learned how to easily repair his/her dishwasher that had stopped working. Although the repair process was obscure, it's good to know that it's possible.

Bob

I would start with the FREE repair.

I don't see why they should "destroy" other components, but if they do, you should have them fix those as well.

worste case, you will buy a new dishwasher

After 9 years the current dishwasher is showing some signs of age, even with its light usage, so I don't know how much longer it will last. And it's a bit noisy. (We have an open floor plan.)

The "free" repair is in lieu of the $75 rebate; I cannot get both. So if I get the repair and the dishwasher dies in a short period of time, a new one effectively costs $75 more. On the other hand, the rebate only applies to Maytag, Whirlpool, and KitchenAid.

When I started my search, I was looking forward to getting a new dishwasher that would be quieter and that I would not have to worry about for another 5 - 10 years. Then I started reading about all the problems people are having with newer models. Hence, my dilemma.

Bob

well, I'm going to go out on a limb -
This maytag:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100607412&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100607412&ci_src=14110944&cm_mmc=1hd.com2froogle-_-product_feed-_-D29X-_-100607412
http://maytag.com/catalog/product.jsp?src=Dishwashers&cat=3&prod=1494


Has many nice features including the 3 level rack system and nylon racks.

Maytag's assymetrical loading is good and it will be much quieter than your 9 year old model.


We have a similar but cheaper version with vinyl instead of nylon racks and with only 2 racks.


It also will be much more energy  efficient than your 9 year old model.

We run it only on the heavy sanize cycle with kirkland powder or cascade powder as recommended by CR and it cleans well.

Best of luck.

Phil,

Thanks for the suggestion.

I like the rack design of Maytags, but CR's 2003 - 2007 data suggests that they are less reliable than several other brands. Of the (historically) more reliable brands, only the Whirlpool is eligible for the $75 rebate (from the recall).

Bob

well history is but a poor predictor of the future.

the brands' owners, designs and suppliers change frequently.

consider COSTCO for their return policy and extra year of warrantee.

what's this about a rebate or a recall on Whirlpool dishwashers?  How do I find out which ones are involved?  I shouldn't be having such trouble with a 3 year old dishwasher.

 

Small comfort in the accumulated misery of us who believed the Consumer Reports test results.  I bought a CR recommended Whirlpool dishwasher in 2005.  This week-end, it got stuck in the 'Automatic Sensing' Mode of Clean: it blinks 7 times, pauses, then blinks another 7 whether the door is unlocked or not.

It's driving me batty, because you cannot clear that light.  CANCEL is the only button that works, so I know that the pump is working fine cause I can hear it, and the timing light decrements from 2 down to 0, as it clears the selection that I have chosen (every one of them) in vain.

Now Sears Service says it will be there within a 4 hour window between 8 and 12, as if I and everybody else can stay home for work for 4 hours!!!!  It staggers the mind.

I went INTO the Sears store here, after 4 hours of the automated Torture Machine aka digital voice directions on their SERVICE/REPAIR line.  It usually ended with a broken connection, but consistently the machine couldn't understand me.  (I'm Southern.)

The salesman had little more luck.  I've found a Mom n Pop outfit that will charge me $75 to walk in the door, and yet the saleman told me that it sounded like the computer card was bad, which will cost $400 to replace.  Yikes.  If I can get by with less than that, much less, I'll never punch the 'Automatic Sensing' button again, I promise!!!!

Sorry to take so long to answer.

"what's this about a rebate or a recall on Whirlpool dishwashers?  How do I find out which ones are involved? "

The recall is on Maytags. Now that Whirlpool owns Maytag (or the other way), the rebate of $75 is available on Maytag, Whirlpool, and Kitchenaide.

"automated Torture Machine aka digital voice directions on their SERVICE/REPAIR line" is how the corporations get US to do THEIR work for them. After all, how else would you expect them to be able to hire a CEO at a multi-million dollar salary with a big bonus even if he/she runs the company bankrupt? Sorry for the rant, but I'm getting very tired of buying junk while these CEOs become more and more wealthy. Like I said in another post, I'm thinking of tearing out my dishwasher, building shelves in the space, and doing dishes by hand.

Bob

I have a Kenmore 665 -- about 5 years old. Two major repairs, including mother board. We toyed with the idea of scrapping it when it broke the second time a year ago. Sears has been servicing it. In the last year it has been getting progressively louder and this morning, it did the initial drain and stopped. Happy Thanksgiving Sears. You lost a customer thanks to your crappy foreign suppliers. I'm sure that finding an alternative will be a challenge.

While 9 years seems a reasonable "lifespan" for an appliance, my father's dishwasher (I don't remember the brand) is at least 25 years old.  I purchased a very inexpensive Kenmore portable about 10 years ago and converted it to a built in when we built a new house - never had a problem. 

My mother-in-law, however, always buys supposedly top-of-the-line dishwashers, but seems to have to replace them every 5 years or so.

The computer controls look nice, but I still prefer dials.  On most appliance, simple is better - there are just less things to go wrong.

 

Hi Alice I have some free teck advice , I Am a a repair (Woman )and i  did work for sears, your have a sensor problim . The sensor is bad it thinks the water is dirty or the wATER IS NOT HOT ENOUGH  Trust me sears can fix your problim or there are lots of X sears  Technictions  out there . Check your phone book, Wirllpool gives schools to Independent repair people also.Call sombody with experience  Linda

Linda Again  You could Cut off the power tothe dishwasher at the braker wait 3 min and the turn it back on somtimes the processor on the Bord is stuck this might solve the problim . LINDA

Linda  Female Tech for 22 Years. I would have demanded to speak to the service Manager in that area .you may have some results there.But if you bought  the extended warrantee they would have to replace your dishwasher with one of equal Value. It use to be you could call the Sears Tower  I dont know who you would contact now. Go to the internet type in appliance  recalls that will give you several sights . You can check i always check for my customers when it is a situation like yours  Hope this helps LINDA

I really would not recommend a Maytag dishwasher. We had our house built in 2.5 years ago. We upgraded all the appliances  for an extra 2000.00.....but within 1 year we started having problems with the dishwasher and the microwave( both maytags) We have had it repaired 2 x- both times had the motherboard replaced.....we have tried tripping the circuit many times .......now finally it just wont run.

We are heading out tonight to buy one of the recommended models from CR

Hello. My only piece of advice is stay far far away from Kenmore.
I have a Kenmore elite tall tube that is about 4 yrs old. In the last 8 months I have replace the circuit board twice, which cost me about 400.00 - 2 boards plus service calls and now the machine has just stopped!- I will never buy Kenmore again!