Plumbing issue or Appliance issue???

[albertGQ]

So my dishwasher doesn't drain anymore. So the water just sits there.
The kitchen sink still drains as usual

Does this mean that it is a problem with the dishwasher and I need to get a new one?
Or is this still a plumbing issue and something got caught in the pipes?

[Hockeyguy15]

Dishwasher problem for sure. My parents had this issue a while back and they ended up getting a new one.

Edit: I think it was a dead pump...Theirs was older so instead of fixing it they went for new.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Dishwasher problem for sure. My parents had this issue a while back and they ended up getting a new one.

Thanks. You sound pretty sure about that.
What do you think is the issue? Is it an easy fix or will I have to get a brand new one?

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

So my dishwasher doesn't drain anymore. So the water just sits there.
The kitchen sink still drains as usual

Does this mean that it is a problem with the dishwasher and I need to get a new one?
Or is this still a plumbing issue and something got caught in the pipes?

Could your dishwasher drain be plugged? I also think the hose for the drain has to be higher than where it hooks into the kitchen sink. Maybe the hose fell below?

[Madman]

Check the bottom of the dishwasher for anything clogging it up.

Not all dishwashers grind things up in the bottom.

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Thanks. You sound pretty sure about that.
What do you think is the issue? Is it an easy fix or will I have to get a brand new one?

Pump is relatively easy to fix .... if it is easy to get at. On mine, I just had to take off the kick panel and it was sitting right there. You can go to www.partselect.ca and enter your model number to look at the part diagram. Sometimes they have links to videos showing you how to do it. Youtube has some as well. Just make sure you get the water out of your dishwasher first or you will have a mess when you take the pump off. Still have some towels ready.
You either have a dead pump or something stuck in it.

[timun]

^What he said. Replacing a dishwasher pump is not very difficult at all, assuming you can get at it. I replaced mine in 2011; cost me about $120 in parts, about ten minutes of online research and about ten minutes with a screwdriver, which beats buying a completely new dishwasher.

EDIT: Figure out what particular model you have (it should be printed on a sticker on the door or on the body of the machine somewhere around the door) and look up the instructions for replacing the pump/motor online. If you can find these instructions, remove the old pump/motor and try giving it a turn. If it's obviously broken (e.g. mine was seized) then go buy a new pump/motor. I bought mine at Reliable Parts off 61st Ave & 2nd St SE, in Phillips Park business park; a few blocks east of Chinook Centre. http://www.reliableparts.ca/

You will have replaced the most expensive, complicated part in the entire machine for a fraction of the cost of an entirely new dishwasher. Mine worked like new, and still does to this day.

[Northendzone]

before getting a pump, try sending a plumbing snake thru the drain if you can - perhaps there is some blockage.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

before getting a pump, try sending a plumbing snake thru the drain if you can - perhaps there is some blockage.

Or you can try sending a real snake through there if you have one handy.

[Jacks]

I had this exact problem about a year ago, it was the pump. I got lucky, pulled off the hose and gave the plastic impeller a little flick and it worked again. Must have been a dead spot on windings or something.

[Ducay]

Ya, I'd start by killing the power to the unit, unhook the drain line from the pump (having drained the tub as much as possible), and put a pan under the pump, and the hose into the pan as well. (trying to catch as much water as possible, reducing mess, have tons of towels handy). Then try snaking the line (not likely the issue), but also trying to see if you can clean out any debris from the pump, as it could be jammed with something. If that fails, just remove the pump and replace it.