KDC21A KitchenAid Dishwasher - Instructions

The first step was to read the other repair stories. The tips on using the hairdryer to "warm" up the part to make it more pliable worked like a charm. A little bit of dish washing soap on either end and just like that the repair was done. (I had to run the rinse cycle twice to get rid of the bubbles)
I pulled off the old tube, which actually had fallen off by itself, and slipped on the new one.
I probably saved $75 on a service call. Isn't the internet a wonderful thing!

This purchase was for replacement parts, not for repair. Installation was a simple matter of taking out the old and installing the new, which is extremely easy to do. One item was damaged; Parts Select was absolutely fantastic to deal with regarding replacement! One word of caution regarding the product - I mistakenly ordered Whirlpool drip pans which have an opening in the bottom, the Maytag pans don't. Initially I thought that it was a mistake by Parts Select; which wasn't the case. The pans fit perfectly so I kept them. If I reorder, I will be certain that I order the correct pans.

First I removed the pins to take out the dish rack. One pin on each side. Then I removed the old tube that slid off I then rubed a small dabe of lubercant on the new tube and connected it to each end opening. They slid on with litte force and no problem Thank for helping me to locate the correct replacement and for the fast delivery.

With a screwdriver I released the snaps that held the old seal on place, cleaned the area and then simply snapped the new seal in. The remarkable part for me however, is that I placed the order on December 21st @ 3PM (in way-upstate New York) and to my utter amazement it was delivered to me the very next day December 22nd @ 9AM; in plenty of time to reach my wife's deadline. Wow-Thank-You!

I replaced the rack of my old Kitchen Aid dishwasher which is AT LEAST 40 years old... maybe 50 but runs fine. I just unscrewed the wheels from the old rusty rack and attached them to the new rack and popped it in place. Very easy!

PartSelect sent me three different door catches with instructions for choosing the correct one. I did choose and simply inserted it into the slot and voile! All finished and it works great now! PartSelect had the part delivered the day after my order was placed. I would suggest doing business with them to anyone asking who they might contact for a part. I especially appreciated the ease of identifying and ordering from them. I was able to do all of this on-line via their website.

Removed 4 philips head screws on bottom front plates (2) under the dishwasher door, removed old springs and inserted new springs. Then replaced the plates and screws. Replaced both springs even though only one broke. Springs should always be replaced in pairs - as the old good spring will not be as strong as the new one.

Put some soap on the inside of the tube and slid it on. Couldn't be easier.

The repair did not take long. Removed some of the parts from old racks which did not take too long to accomplish. Everything went together well. Very pleased with the new parts.

In diagnosing the problem, I pretty much took the entire door apart before observing that the door switch actuator was broken off ... I went online, logged onto PartSelect, found the appropriate diagram (which on their site is quite easy to do) and ordered the part online.

It arrived far quicker than I would ever have imagined possible and I had it installed within 2 minutes of the time I opened the package.

MrsS is VERY happy now that her dishwasher is 'back on the road'

It was a very small and inexpensive part, but PartSelect treated us as well as if we'd spent hundreds of dollars ... we could not be happier.

I used a screwdriver to remove the old part and pushed the new part in with my fingers, it was very easy. If I could do it, anyone can. I was a lot cheaper then having a repair man come to house. I am very glad I found your site online, I will definitely be using your company again.

I read the repair stories. Did not remove anything but the old tube. Used hairdryer to heat one end, pushed it onto front opening; heated other end, pushed it onto back opening. Took 5 minutes. Saved estimated $196 service call, parts,labor. (NOTE--I caution against using petroleum-based products like vasoline -- cause rubber to deteriorate. Hairdryer is the best solution.)
Grannie in Houston TX

I heated the ends of the tube in hot water and slipped it on the round end first. I was then able to slip the other end on. The secret to doing this repair is working fast while the rubber is still pliable.

Remove power, either unplug the unit or locate and turn off the circuit breaker. There is power under the dishwasher even if it is not running.

Use the nut driver to remove both lower panels to gain access to the bottom of the dishwasher.

I suspected the overflow switch and used the ohm meter to discover the resistance of the switch, with no water in the washer, measured anywhere from a couple of ohms to 40 ohms or more and of course it should be less than one ohm.

There was no sign of any leakage or other problem so I wanted to keep the job simple and replace only the actual micro switch.

Problem! The micro switch is mounted on the back side of the float stem kit and visibility is severely limited. About all you can see are the switch terminals and the head of the phillips screw that holds the microswitch on the rest of the float stem kit.. You'll definitely need a small mirror.

I first pulled the wires from the microswitch terminals. Then I used a small phillips screw driver to remove the screw holding the switch and the first thing that happened is the small white float lever fell out. (I didn't know that it was even there because of the poor visibility. Ugly surprise!)

I spent 1/2 hour or more studying how the lever went in and found that the cirular end of the lever fits into a circular depression in the assembly body and was HELD IN BY THE SWITCH. (Now it's really getting ugly!)

The problem then is how to get the lever back in place and have it stay there while placing the micro switch back in place. There just isn't any easy way to do that. If only the switch and lever were one piece it would have been so simple.

Aha!

I placed and aligned both the lever and the microswitch on the float assembly body that I received. Using a couple of small pieces of electricians tape I taped the microswitch and lever together so they were one piece. Then I carefully (very carefully) removed the switch/lever
"assembly" that I made and eased it into position onto back side of the dishwasher float stem assembly body. When the switch is almost in place there is just barely room to get the tip of your finger in there and seat the rounded end of the lever into the depression. After seating the lever, carefully replace and tighten the phillips screw holding the switch in place. Then remove the electricians tape.

Replace the wires on the micro switch terminals, replace the front panels, put your tools away, and by golly, you're done.

This repair is not for the faint-hearted nor for those with fat fingers or who tend to be klutsy. It took me three or four attemps and a couple of hours to get the microswitch and float lever into place. But I think it was worth it as I didn't have to remove the dishwasher, play with water lines, or remove the full float assembly thus avoiding creating other problems that might likely result in water leaks and additional repairs..

If you decide to try this repair, good luck. It can be done but it is tough.

removed the catch and the pin and replaced it. We were sent a couple different sizes so we tested the one that looked like the closest match. I think the pin was made with different thicknesses of metal. Worked great and saved us from having to get a new dryer!