Soap dispenser doesn't open

Since you mention that your dishwasher has a dispenser has a flap that opens but detergent does not come out, the problem could be the wash water is not getting to it.

Can you confirm if during wash cycle the water is circulating especially through the top wash arm.

Keep a small container on the top rack and see if there is water collected in it at the end of cycle. Alternatively run the dishwasher with door open (you will have to find a way to enable the door switch inside the latch).

Please post a comment to confirm what you observe.

Hi,
Checkout this tip that I wrote about that problem...

Dishwasher Repair Problem Detergent Cup does not Open
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4225828-dishwasher_repair_problem_detergent_cup

Dishwasher Maintenance
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4319937-dishwasher_maintenance

heatman101

Does the washer heat the water during the hot cycle. If it does, your soap dispenser module in the door is faulty. To install, you need to pull power plug out first,then sit on a chair in front of the door and then open the door towards yourself. Once open unscrew those screws along the perimeter of the door to enable you to remove outer panel. Once off, you can view how to remove soap dispenser. If water does not get hot, check the heater element and/or the reset (over temperature switch). Note, top rotator must move freely as well to allow hot water dispersion which on some occasions activates the soap dish. On other occasions it uses a solenoid switch.

I bet your clumps of soap began with the beginning of the use of a different DW detergent powder.

Try this (trust me) Go buy a box of brand name Dishwasher powder (e.g. Electrosol or Cascade) Use it for two loads of dishes and report your results back here. OK?

Symptoms:
Dispenser lid is open. Caked powder at (what would be during normal operation) bottom edge of soap dispenser or caked powder fallen onto dishes or dishwasher bottom. There may be loose powder in rest of dispenser or spilled down inside door or onto dishes underneath dispenser.

Solution:
Keep the area around the soap dispenser lid clear when loading the top tray.

Explanation:
The soap dispenser needs to swing open during the wash cycle. In many dishwashers the top tray has an indentation as wide as the lid of the dispenser. This allows the top tray to be as large deep as possible while still allowing space for the dispenser lid to open. People often pack their dishwasher with things overhanging this gap.

During the wash cycle the catch will release but the overhanging cutlery or crockery prevents the lid from opening all but a few degrees. Some water will splash in but not enough to wash out the soap powder. The soap powder at the bottom of the dispenser will then cake.

When the front door is opened the spring loaded lid, which is partly open, will of course swing fully open and you'll be convinced that the lid opened normally during operation. If this is the problem then if you're very careful and open the door very slowly you can actually hear the lid flip open. Also, depending on when the lid opens, how far it opened during operation and how fast you open the door you may find soap powder spilled down to cover the dishes at the front or down the inside of the door. This happens when you first open the door and obviously there couldn't be loose powder there if the powder had emerged while there was water washing around. Seeing the lid open as you open the door is a lot harder but can be done on some machines.

Try this... Wipe out the soap dish with white vinegar and a soft cloth.. make sure you get everything off the edges of the door and look for any nicks, blemishes or deformation of the dispenser door to make sure it is not mechanically binding up when it is cycled open. If Ok.. then.. clean your drain filter.. then.. start a wash cycle using the hottest setting ( without any dishes) .. and after about 10 minutes or so.. stop the process and open the door and add in 2 cups of white vinegar.. Let it complete the wash cycle.. When complete..try running a dishless cycle on any setting with detergent ( use about 1/3 less than you usually use) and see if that dispense adequately. If that works, then the next time you load the washer. make sure you don't have anything up against or limiting the door from opening. Hope this helps..

Peace,
You need hands on service!

If you are you using a liquid soap or packets that will be the main problem.If your unit fills with water circulates the water and drains the water,and also heaters are working then you probally need to change to cascade powder soap.The film on the dishes is soap.The unit has so much build up in it that when it gets to the rinse cycle it is rinsing dishes with soapy water.You need to get 2 medium bowls fill both 2/3 up with white vinager,place one in upper rack and one in lower rack and run unit on longest cycle letting the vinager splash out during wash.do this with no soap and no dishes.Having soft water will allow you to use less soap.

Kqon, looks like your dispenser has a wax motor. I think the first thing you have to do is remove the inner door and inspect the soap dispensor assy. See if any of the moving parts are broken. This wax motor is 120V so you can run a cheater cord to it to see if it works, but be very careful when doing this. It will expand the plunger and open the flap. If the wax motor operates with 120V applied to it then you want to see if you have power coming from the timer. It will be the tan wire # 27 on the timer harness. You also want to make sure the spring and pin are in place on the dispenser flap. Your part number for the wax motor is 902899. Catriver.

water is getting past the gasket during the start up cycle. by the time the door opens, the water has caked up the soap. also, its not clear when in the cycle the door is opening.
try using liquid soap.
also, take a peek just after the machine has finished filling and starts washing to see if the door is opened on the soap disp.
good luck
mark