I just got a kitchen aid dishwasher model KDTE254ESS2. Put plates in and the spray arm hits the plates And these are regular plates! Help!

Sounds like your not using a rinse aid. Fill the dispenser with jet dry. Not only it keeps dishes spot free but it help to dry them as well.

Arm operates(turns) by water pressure. If it does not turn no water is going to the top spray arm. make sure the setting washer is on does not preclude the top spray arm from operating(read manual). If not check arm by spinning by hand to make sure it is free. If arm is free and it still does not turn when DW is running than there is a restriction in the tubing to the upper spray arm or the check ball or solenoid are not operating correctly.

You need to hold the center spindle with a pair of pliers and turn it while lifting up. This engages the spindle into the threads of the spray arm. A couple of turns will tighten it up.

Hi,

I have an older dishwasher also and recently my wife also complained about it not cleaning right... so me being the man I am tried in vain to clean the things... Bought new spray arms online and installed them in minutes...now the thing works like new... However I have also found that if the heating element goes bad then that also can mess things up bad... So I would buy new spray arms, and also check out the heating element to make sure it is working... Here is a tip that will help you with the online buying...

Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

How to Buy Appliance Parts Online

A bad heating element causes many problems in dishwashers...

Dishwasher Problems The Heating Element not Working

Dishwasher Maintenance

heatman101

Hi,
When my wife started complaining about her dishwasher not getting the top rack clean this is what I found and I wrote a tip about it...

Dishwasher Spray Arms not Spinning

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4817172-dishwasher_spray_arms_not_spinning

heatman101

The soap door doesn't open fully on that model, and usually flips fully open as you open the dishwasher door.
It relies on the top spray arm turning to 'wash' the soap out of the drawer - and that will be the problem.The spray arm isn't turning.
Check the spray arm for blocked jets at the very end - use a pin to clear them out, or replace them - check both spray arms. Make sure the spray arm rotates freely also.
Remember the dishwasher isn't a garbage disposal unit - remove food deposits from plates etc before loading the machine. Run a dishwasher cleaner through the machine now and then. Food like pasta, or fruit pips often get carried to the end of spray arms and block them.
If using a 30 min rapid wash program ONLY and dishwasher tablets, put the tab in the cutlery basket as it wont have time to dissolve fully if you put it in the dispenser.

After checking all sprayer arms for clearance, and checking heating element and discharge pump, the problem was solved by replacing the small sprayer arm at the top of the washer. This small arm had popped off some time ago - obviously the water pressure was excessive for the small and unimpressive fastener. Luckily we had saved this piece, which I refastened with a strong aluminum non-corroding small bolt. Presto - now the water distribution is back to design specs, with sufficient water coming out under pressure from the mid level arm. Lesson: always look for the simplest cause first with the simplest solution. TCA

I'm not sure if that replacemetn part would work, but I know you can get cheap stainless panels and faux stainless options at applianceart.com. They have colors, textures, seasonal, designs, and stainless steel. You can choose between faux stainless (as seen on HGTV and the Today show) or regular stainless metal. check out www.applianceart.com

replace the top spray arm and it should work ok again

possible ball valve problem