Viking Dishwasher VDB450SS Unit appears to operate normally and washes the dishes. Afterwards, when opening the door to remove the dishes, the NORMAL WASH - ECONO WASH - LIGHT CHINA blue lights are flashing, and all other lights are off. Pressing the START button resets all lights to normal. Dishwasher cycles normally.

make sure you have selected the heated dry option. for the smell, add a 1/2 cup of white vinegar to wash cycle.

check that the drain pipe is not blocked or has a bend in it as this will stop water passing easily, remove and blow down pipe to make sure its clear. (wash out mouth afterwards) if this is fine then the pump must be weak or something is stopping its movement. if it is the pump you will need to remove it from washer and open the pump up by the 3 screws and remove the propeller and clean out the housing and pump parts, should be magnetic type and easy to fix. build up of food debris can limit the pump from moving.

Unless you know anything about replacing your soap dish, if is on warranty, I would call them to service it. It might be cheaper in the long-run.

Hi- Yes, you need replace the entire dispenser. Viking dishwashers are actually Askos on the inside. It's not too hard to replace if you are handy and can get the part from Viking directly. Unplug the unit or shut off the breaker and remove the front panel by removing the screws around the outside edge of the door. I believe the dispenser is held on with brackets (it's been awhile since i replaced one on an Asko or Viking). It should be pretty evident how to remove it once you have it opened up. If you are unsure at all call Viking and they can give you the number of a Tech. Good luck.

Maybe . . . remove the lower rack and invert it. Look for cracked or missing plastic coating, exposed, rusted & possibly "swollen" inner steel rod/wire. If found, remove the upper rack and look for more of the same. What you think is "soap scum" is probably rust and other iron compounds leached by the dish soap out of the rusted steel onto the dishes and the dishwasher interior. The following worked for me . . .

To clean the interior (with both racks removed), set to "No Heat" dry, then "Pot & Pan" wash and allow to fill. Open door, dump in a bottle of "Lime A-Way", close & latch door and allow to complete cycle. This should remove most rust and iron-sulphate deposits from interior. If not, scrub them with Lime A-Way and a ScotchBrite pad, then cycle again.

Racks must be replaced (Viking are very expensive, Asko, Bosch, or other lower racks may fit: check your neighbors' racks for fit), upper rack must be Viking unless you can exact-match the Asko or Bosch equivalent.

Possible fix: remove the loose plastic coating and flaking rust with a knife, ruff plastic coating with ScotchBrite, clean with rubbing alcohol, then treat metal/rust with "rust converter" (hardware or home imp store), wash with soapy water, rinse, then clean with rubbing alcohol, dry fully, coat with "high temp" (orange or yellow) silicone sealant (auto part store), covering exposed metal and a half inch or so over the plastic coating. Let set for a day or two.

A trip through the dishwasher for all your stained stainless, glasses and non-metallic coated or non-metallic decorated dishes with Lime A-Way as above (on new or "rebuilt" racks) should get the metallic scum and rust off them.

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?

Yes there is the Water Div valve, it diverts the water between the wash arms.

I have this same problem, plus the pre-wash soap dispenser doesn't open sometimes even though a service guy replaced that. Could he have replaced just one side and not the other? this dishwasher also has a new motor. sometimes it washes beautifully. but other times it does not. even if both dispensers opened.

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.

Before taking anything to bits, check you aren't just loading the machine in such a way that something (for us, it's usually a frying pan) is stopping the soap dispenser from springing open all the way. A.