The spray arm under the top rack of the dishwasher is not moving when the dishwasher is running ... so nothing is getting clean. Can you help?
When you say the dishwasher is running do you mean that the pump is operating? If the pump is not pumping water the arm will not spin. Is there a bottom arm and is it spinning? If it spins then the pump is working. The upper arm will not spin if it is blocked by hitting a large dish or utensil. There should be some sort of tube or tower (some are collapsible) in the center of the lower rack that shoots water into the bottom of the spin arm above. Is it missing, blocked or clogged?
Make sure there is nothing inside the tower that would block water flow. Does the upper arm move freely when you spin it by hand? Can you see if there is anything clogging it? Is there anything sticking down from the upper rack that would stop it? Try extending the tower and use some tape to keep it in the extended position and see if the upper arm spins then. If it does not there may be something keeping the pump from developing full pressure. Is there a filter in the bottom of the tub that can be cleaned? BTW how are you determining that the upper arm is not spinning when the DW is empty--opening the door? Now that I have your model number I will check the documentation to see what else could be causing the problem.
I did not see anything else in the manual to suggest why the arm is not spinning. Does the sensor light come on during the Normal or Pots cycles. It just needs to be on for a short while. It does not stay on for the entire cycle. If it is flashing (possibly accompanied by beeping) the sensor needs service. I do not know if that affects water pressure from the pump. The manual says that the DW will continue to work--it just does not adjust the number of prewash cycles automatically. Without having your answers to the previous set of questions I am thinking that the arm is jammed on its bearing or that the tower is not extending fully. Let me know what you find. Thanks.
Here are some other things to try:
When you check by hand to make sure the arm is spinning push up on it at the center (the way the water from the tower does) to make sure the arm is not sticking or hitting the rack. Do this with the rack pushed into the DW.
With both racks pushed into the DW extend the tower and make sure the hole at the top is lining up with the opening in the arm.
(BTW you don't have to do the "tape the tower" thing I suggested earlier because you said that you could see that the tower was extending/collapsing OK).
Here is a way to find out if the arm is rotating when the door is closed:
Suspend a spoon on a piece of string tied to the end of the arm. (If the arm tapers too much to keep the string in place tie it through one of the spray holes or use a rubber band or tape to help keep it in place.) Make the string long enough for the spoon to hit the side of the DW but not so long as to get caught in the lower rack. Position the arm so the spoon is near one of the corners to start. Run a cycle (Quick Rinse will do) and listen to hear if the spoon is hitting the side in a regular pattern (clunk, clunk, clunk, etc.). If it is then the arm is rotating.
If the arm rotates and the dishes are still not getting clean check to make sure the Sensing light is coming on during the Normal or Pots cycles. If not then the automatic feature that determines how much washing should take place is not working.
If the sensor is working and the arm is rotating then you may need to pre rinse any especially dirty loads or not overload the DW with dishes (See manual.) Also consider whether the detergent or rinsing agent you are (or are not) using could be adding to the problem.
If you can give this solution the highest rating (Problem Solved) I would appreciate it. Thanks..
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How do you get to the motor to try and free it up
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The pump is operating, the bottom arm is spinning; the upper arm does not spin at all. The collapsible tower may or may not be extending all the way when the dishwasher is running; I can't see through the solid door. The lower tower is not missing, blocked, or clogged. I just ran the dishwasher completely empty to see if it would spin ... and it's not. Any ideas?
There is nothing inside the tower that can block water flow, as far as I can see. I did take a screwdriver & wiggle it around in there; it didn't catch on anything.
Nothing is sticking down from the upper rack. I will try the tape option next ... but it will have to wait until the inside of the dishwasher is dry. :)
There is a filter in the bottom; I'll go ahead and clean it (again, once the dishwasher is dry) - there is not any gunk on there visible to the naked eye, though.
I am opening the door mid-cycle, and water is coming out of the lower arm, and the tower is collapsing as I open the door, but the upper arm remains in the same spot it was when I last closed the door (I have done this multiple times, changing the position of the arms, etc.) I have removed the arm in question, checked it for clogs, etc ... but (again) there is nothing visible clogging it.
Thank you SO much for taking the time to help me with this. :)
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