I recently found the upper spray arm in the bottom of the dishwasher after running it. I can't see any piece broken off of it but I also can't see any way to put it back on. I suspect some small piece broke off in a very clean break and I just can't see it. Is this fairly easy to purchase and reattach myself? I can see the holder for it screws in and out easily.

Doesn't appear broken. Such designs are often used as a spring clip, a spacer, a retainer or a device to provide a directional location.

Sorry I don't know how it would be assembled but as there are only a few parts there can only be a small number of combinations.

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...

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heatman101

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

It goes down into the lower wash tower / tube, the tabs that hold it in might be broken

I do not have a problem w/the upper arm not spinning. Rather, the upper arm keeps falling off of my frigidair dishwasher. The owner's manual suggests the upper arm is a single unit. However, the upper arm component is comprised of 3 parts. The parts are an arm that distributes the water, the base that screws to the top of the dishwasher, and a small plastic type washer that rides in the base and literally holds the arm to the base. The plastic washer has two small clips that tend to wear or contrast with age; thus letting the arm fall off on a very frequent basis.

Potentially, the small plastic washer piece may have broken in the base assembly and is not allowing the arm to turn. As water flows into the arm from a hole in the base; suggesting the plastic washer may be jammed with a foreign item seems less likely. The base unit screws to the top of the dishwasher and can be removed by hand (the base is a little tight). There are no mechanical pieces to my third (upper) arm; movement of the arm is accomplished with water flow.

You may wish to remove the arm assembly and check for a broken washer or a foreign item in the assembly. As a side note, I found that I can unscrew the base and remove the assembly without removing the top dish tray. The fit is a little tight but the tedium of pulling and reinstalling the top tray can be eliminated by unscrewing the assembly w/the tray slid forward for assembly access.

Hope all you have is a foreign item that is locking the washer.

POST MODEL NUMBER

The broken bottom arm is probably preventing any water / water under pressure to get to the upper arm.
After you replace the lower arm, you should have much better cleaning in the top shelf.
While you are in there replacing the lower arm, recommend you remove the filter under it and clean the filter and any debris you find. Be careful of broken glass!
Good Luck!

There is a screen that you can remove from the sump of the dishwasher to clean. Just twist it to the left and pull it out. I have some tips that you might want to check out if this does not resolve your problem.
<a href="http://tclaundryrepair.com/">St Paul Appliance Repair</a>

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


syte

only the top rack isnt getting clean?
there is a little plastic circle in the middle of the bottom of the upper spray arm. turn it counter clock wise to pull the upper spray arm from the upper rack. make sure that isnt clogged and the spray holes are not clogged. otherwise....

the piece that the bottem spray arm plugs into and runs along the back wall of the tank to the top is called a feed tube. pull the bottom spray arm out. now you can see the part of the feed tube that feeds the upper spray arm water. does it pop out freely and easily? if so then you need a new feed tube, if not then its most likely your not achieving the right water level or your impeller connected to your circulation pump(motor) is clogged not supplying enough water pressure to travel up the feed tube to spin the upper spray arm.