Kitchenaid Dishwasher door wont latch

Hi Peggy, could be bad door latch. The door latch keeps the door closed and the water inside while the dishwasher is operating. The door latch is connected to a switch, which will not allow the dishwasher to start unless the door is properly closed.

Best,
Dave

Start by checking door latch.

If you replaced the door latch did you replace the striker? Those are the only 2things that keep it closed.

May be this is the reasons.

a) May be your door latch is opening due to pressure inside the dishwasher. The door latch opens and the dishwasher will stop. Quite common problem on KITCHENAID. KitchenAid door is a heavier door compared to sister product WHIRLPOOL. If door latch problem then has to change the door lock along with the top latch.

It is possible the door latch is faulty or the springs at base of dishwasher are soft and need adjusting. the springs keep the door in position. refer this site for parts.

techbuster

• Rank: Guru
• Rating: 92%, 2877 Votes

1. Crack open door
2. Within 3 seconds push Hi-Temp Scrub, Heat Dry, Hi-Temp Scrub, Heat Dry
3. Close and latch door
4. Press Cance

Try the above steps and also check the video in link given below to know detailed explantion on what the light means

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv7xOaucH7I

I had this exact same story with my new Whirlpool dishwasher. My daughter fell on the open dishwasher door and afterwards it wouldn't latch closed. After researching online, I learned that 90% of the time it's bent door hinges. At $$130 each, $260 total, I didn't want to replace the hinges. So I removed the hinges, took them downstairs to my shop, put them in the vise and straightened them back with a hammer. Just took a few good, solid hits on each hinge and they were straight again. I installed them back onto the dishwasher and it worked like a charm! Door latches just fine.

when you latch the door it closes the circuit.
you may have to open the casing of the door to access the switch. it may be stuck or defective.

Start my using a bubble level to make sure the unit is squarely mounted. Even small amounts of offset or tilt in the unit can eventually cause the latching mechanism to fail to work properly.

You want to make sure that the dishwasher is level and secure first of all. Then I would look into the door latch assy. Sounds to me that you are not making all the latch switches when closing normally. When you are slamming it, you are making the switches. The heating element runs through the neutral side of switches, therefor if the switch is broken or the latch is not making, no heating of the water. This results in a default or very long wash time. Check this out first....Catriver..post back.