Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: excessive moisture

  1. #1

    excessive moisture

    Model Number: KUDSO3CTSS3
    Brand: KitchenAid
    Age: 1-5 years

    My dishwasher is emitting excessive moisture out the vent at the top of the door during drying cycle. The moisture accumulates under the countertop and drips down the front of the dishwasher. this has just started have never noticed it in the past. Why so much moisture (steam?)

  2. #2
    Admin/Technician Doc Ryan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    4,230
    There is a vent in the door that opens at the end of the cycle to release the steam. If it is open during the cycle, then you could have something blocking it, the vent could be broken, or the control board could be bad. You will need to shut off the power to the dishwasher, take the door apart, and inspect the vent. The vent is #5 in the attached diagram. Let me know what you find.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails ventdiagram.jpg  
    Ryan

    PartsDr.com
    - Discount Appliance Parts & Accessories


    Please help keep our repair forum FREE by purchasing your replacement parts from our online store. Thank you for your support.

    Check out our Repair Videos on Youtube

    "Like" Parts Dr on Facebook


    Follow Parts Dr on Twitter

  3. #3
    The motor has a resistance of about 1200 Ohms. The diaphram seal on the motor is in the open position. Is it normally closed or open? I cannot seem to move the seal in or out. Is the motor stuck on?

  4. #4
    Admin/Technician Doc Ryan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    4,230
    I don't think the ohm reading is going to tell you whether or not it is functioning correctly. The wax motor on the vent works differently than a normal motor. The wax motor pushes out a plunger as power is applied to it and the wax inside heats up, and when no power is being applied to it, the wax cools off and the plunger should return to its normal position.

    This is the vent for your model:

    Vent Assembly - 8572611
    Ryan

    PartsDr.com
    - Discount Appliance Parts & Accessories


    Please help keep our repair forum FREE by purchasing your replacement parts from our online store. Thank you for your support.

    Check out our Repair Videos on Youtube

    "Like" Parts Dr on Facebook


    Follow Parts Dr on Twitter

  5. #5
    Admin/Technician Doc Ryan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    4,230
    Update: I took a look at one of the vents. It has two rubber pieces, a larger one in the center that is on a spring. That one should be normally closed, and you should be able to push that open, and it should close on its own. The smaller rubber seal part on the wax motor should be open about 1/8", and then the wax motor should close that when power is applied to it. I will try to post up a pic later.
    Ryan

    PartsDr.com
    - Discount Appliance Parts & Accessories


    Please help keep our repair forum FREE by purchasing your replacement parts from our online store. Thank you for your support.

    Check out our Repair Videos on Youtube

    "Like" Parts Dr on Facebook


    Follow Parts Dr on Twitter

  6. #6
    I understand what you are saying. My vent is exactly as you said. How can I tell if the wax motor is closing the vent. When during the cycle is the vent open and closed.
    I think the vent should be open when in the dry cycle. I checked mine in the clean cycle and it looks like it is open and moisture is building up. Do the wax motors go bad. It would be difficult to check to see if it getting power during the clean cycle. Is it worth replacing to see if it fixes it.
    Last edited by bobtam; 10-29-2012 at 06:51 PM.

  7. #7
    Admin/Technician Doc Ryan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    4,230
    You will need to grab the service sheet behind the bottom panel of the dishwasher. It should have an area that says what parts are activated during which parts of the cycles. You should also be able to put the dishwasher into a test mode. That will probably be the easiest way to see if the vent it working properly.

    Here is a pic of the vent. I put a light in the bottom of it, so you can see how far the vent is open on the wax motor.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails vent.jpg  
    Ryan

    PartsDr.com
    - Discount Appliance Parts & Accessories


    Please help keep our repair forum FREE by purchasing your replacement parts from our online store. Thank you for your support.

    Check out our Repair Videos on Youtube

    "Like" Parts Dr on Facebook


    Follow Parts Dr on Twitter

  8. #8
    Admin/Technician Doc Ryan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    4,230
    And to answer your other questions. Yes, wax motors can fail. And it's up to you if you think it is worth fixing or not. I would say replacing the vent is much cheaper than buying a new dishwasher.
    Ryan

    PartsDr.com
    - Discount Appliance Parts & Accessories


    Please help keep our repair forum FREE by purchasing your replacement parts from our online store. Thank you for your support.

    Check out our Repair Videos on Youtube

    "Like" Parts Dr on Facebook


    Follow Parts Dr on Twitter

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •