GE Smartdispense Dishwashers Repair Guide
This page will discuss GE smartdispense dishwashers that aren’t working
properly. Some GE profile dishwashers have a smartdispense system. This is a
unique dishwasher detergent dispenser, that allows you to pour an entire jug of
liquid detergent into the dishwasher at once and it automatically dispenses
detergent into the dishwasher in the correct amount with each wash.
The
amount varies depending on the hardness of your water and how dirty your dishes
are. The soil sensor (turbidity sensor) determines how dirty your dishes are.
You or your installer must program how hard or soft your water is (see your
owners manual). There is a sensor that monitors the amount of detergent left in
the reservoir and a low detergent light will come on when it gets low. Note that
if you do not wish to use the smart dispenser system you can turn off the low
detergent light. On most models pressing the added heat button five times within
3 seconds does this. Do the same to turn it back on. If this doesn’t work or you
do not have a button that says added heat, see your owner’s manual.
GE Smartdispenser Dishwashers Clogged Dispenser
The most common
thing that will cause GE smartdispenser dishwashers to fail is that it gets
clogged. This is the flaw I see with this system. There is one “official” thing
that caused this to happen and one other thing that some of my customers have
said caused this. Mixing types (not brand) of detergent in the reservoir
will cause the dispenser is clog.
Some detergent is
made with enzymes and some is made with bleach. If you mix these two types of
detergent, the dispenser will clog. Don’t get this confused with brand because
detergent companies use enzymes and bleach. You must look at the label on the
back of the jug to determine what the detergent is made of.
I have seen
some of these smart dispensers clogged up and my customers swear that they did
not mix the two types of detergent. I have no reason to disbelieve them but GE
claims that it will not clog unless the two detergents are mixed. The only thing
is that each time this happens the customer had not used the dishwasher in a
while. So I believe that letting the dishwasher set for long periods of time
without using it will cause the smart dispenser to clog. Note that I have
nothing to back that up and GE says it will not cause it.
Unfortunately,
it is not just a matter of just cleaning it out. Well you can clean it out but
you have to completely remove the tank and get all the detergent out. Then you
may have to let it dry so that water won’t mix in with the detergent. I
recommend changing the reservoir rather than trying to clean it out for a few
reasons. Each time the reservoir is removed the retaining ring must be replaced.
It will be difficult to get the tank completely clean. The tool used to remove
the retaining ring, the retaining ring, the gasket and the detergent level
sensor all come with the tank. The part number for the tank used on GE
smartdispense dishwashers is WD35X10058
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GE Smartdispenser dishwasher Dispenser Pump Motor
It is not common for the smart dispenser pump motor to go bad on GE smartdispense dishwashers. but you can check the operation of it. The pump motor is activated during each pre-wash cycle for five seconds and during the main wash cycle for an amount of time depending on how dirty the dishes are and the hardness of the water (see opening paragraph).
The tube that carries the
detergent to the tub is run through the pump. The pump simply squeezes the tube
with three rollers forcing the detergent out like a tube of toothpaste. If you
suspect detergent isn’t being dispensed, remove the front of the dishwasher and
start the cycle. Watch the tube sometime during the pre-wash the pump will
activate for five seconds. You will not be able to see the pump rotate but you
will see the tube flexing. You can enter the dishwasher into the service mode
and turn the pump on manually. Instructions on how to do so should be on the
mini manual located under the dishwasher.
If the motor doesn’t activate,
check ohms across the motor and it should read around 875 ohms. If it is open or
way out of range replace it. If it checks ok ohms wise you will have to check
for voltage. You should get 120V for five seconds sometime during the pre-wash.
If you do not get voltage replace the control board and if you do but the pump
motor doesn’t run replace the pump motor. If the pump runs but detergent doesn’t
dispense, check to see if the tube is clogged (see section on clogged smart
dispenser).
GE Smartdispenser Dishwasher Detergent Level Sensor
When the detergent level gets low on GE smartdispense dishwashers, a low detergent light will come on. There is a detergent level sensor that turns on the light when the detergent gets low. If you fill the tank up and the light stays on the sensor could be bad. Same goes for the opposite if the detergent is empty and the light isn’t on the sensor could be bad.
The first thing you should
check is the wires. Remove the front of the dishwasher. Once done you should see
the tank. The wires should be taped to the side and the top of the tank. If the
wires are loose (not taped to the side of the tank) the signal from the sensor
could be compromised. This is due to the fact that the signal from the sensor is
DC current and can be interfered with by the AC current if ran next to or
parallel to AC wires. I wouldn’t think the wires would come loose but check them
before you replace any parts unnecessarily.
The way this works it is
hard to tell if the sensor is bad or the control is bad. What happens is the
control sends out a 5VDC pulse to the sensor and monitors the return voltage or
current flow. You can check for ohms across the sensor, the ohm reading will
vary depending on the amount of detergent but you should get a reading. I don’t
know how much the ohms will be so set your meter at the highest setting. If you
don’t get a reading, change the sensor. The sensor comes with the tank and
cannot be purchased separately. The part number for the tank used on GE
smartdispense dishwashers is WD35X10058
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On GE smartdispense dishwashers you do not have to use the smart dispense
system so if you do not wish to use the smart dispenser system you can turn off
the low detergent light. On most models pressing the added heat button five
times within 3 seconds does this. Do the same to turn it back on. IF this
doesn’t work or you do not have a button that says added heat see your owner’s
manual.
I hope this page helps you repair your dishwasher detergent
dispenser on GE smartdispense dishwashers.
If you do not have a GE
smartdispense dishwasher but are having problems with you dishwasher detergent
dispenser use this link for help on Dishwasher
Detergent Dispenser Problems
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