Chopper Assembly

Pulled everything out the front, and dug down to find a thrashed chopper assembly (like a little garbage disposal). The previous owner just tossed anything in; pop tops, plastic cutlery, etc.
Didn't pay attention to the exact installation of the chopper as I pulled it out, but, it turns out that it only goes in one way.
Used pictures and instructions I found online as a guide and didn't have any issues.
Replaced the check valve because it isn't expensive and I was in the neighborhood.

FIRST I TURNED OFF THE POWER GOING TO THE MACHINE!!!! Then I removed the top rack by removing the (2) end caps on the front of the rack glides first then lifting the rack upwards and out. Next I removed the bottom rack which slid out easily. I then removed the lower spray arm that was held in place by the plastic turn-screw portion of the lower spray arm support/hub. I turned the screw a few times and the spray arm was released. I then released the feed tube assembly that was held in place by (2) clips; one clip was on the back panel of the tub (above the probe area) and the other clip was on the top panel of the tub (before the upper arm spray). Then I turned the entire tube feed assembly a quarter turn to the right so that it was possible to separate/unsnap it from the feed cap on the bottom. After the feed tube was moved away I was able to access all (4) screws that holds the accumulator in place. I used an allen wrench to remove those. After the accumulator was removed I saw two screws that was holding the 2-part protective cover of the chopper assembly. The small cover came out easily, the round cover took a little jiggling and fussing until I figured out how to pop it out. The chopper was revealed when the cover came off and I found it to be very warn and a bit bent. I pulled it out by pulling it upwards and forward towards me. At this time I also removed the valve check. To my surprise it didn't look like the one that I bougth to replace it. It was missing the round disk portion. I fished around thinking it may have somehow fallen off, but I didn't find anything. I put the new one in, disk-side down. I then put the chopper assembly in place and put everything back together again. I'm not 100% sure that it is completely back to normal. It seems to leave significantly less debris than before, but I noticed that there is more water on the bottom of the basin now. So it may not have been my only problem. If anyone has experienced the same thing I would really like to know

Disconnected power to dishwasher. Removed water supply hose from inlet water valve.
Removed lower and upper racks. Removed Lower spray arm. Removed tube from pump tp top spinner. Pulled dishwasher from under cabinet (remember to tip to get back out!). Placed dishwasher on its back. Removed electrical connectors from water valve, main motor and drain motor. Removed drain hose from drain pump. Removed pump/motor assy by pulling out wedges and pushing assembly into dishwasher. Removed pump/motor assy from inside dishwasher. Cleaned out pump. Installed new chopper. Re-install pump/motor assy. Re-install driain pump hose. Re-connect the pumps and water valve electric connectors. Slide dishwasher near cabinet for re-install. Re-connect drain hose to dishwasher. Re-install dishwasher under cabinet.Reconnect water supply. Removed top spinner from tube. Installed new spinner onto tube. Re-install tube onto main pump (below lower spray arm). Clean out and re-install lower spray arm. Remove middle spray arm from top rack. Clean out spray arm. Re-install spray arm with a new gasket (gasket may have not been needed). Re-installed lower and top racks. Re-connect power supply. Position all three spray arms pointing towards the door to confirm they were turning. Tested dishwasher - confirmed fill, wash, and drain properly. Also confirmed that all three spray arms were turning. Machine is washing, draining and running great since!

I had to remove the baskets, spray assemblies (no tools needed) and disassemble the section of the pump that contained the chopper assembly. (removing three Torx screws)
I had to remove a part of the old chopper that had gone into the pump, but I was lucky that a magnet grabbed it so I didn't have to disassemble the pump.
The total repair was not difficult. The only problem was access (hands in the way while repairing difficult to see) and compressing the spring on the new chopper while trying to slip it into the groove.
The parts came in three days and they fit perfectly

Repair man said I needed a new pump and would cost $350 to repair. This dishwasher was only 5 years old and we only use about once a week so didn't think the pump was gone. Went on this website and read some stories. this model has a mini garbage disposal with a chopper and screen which gets clogged up and prevents water from circulating. You can clean the screen without removing the dishwasher. Remove the cover plates on the bottom with 4 screws and the smaller cover plate underneath. Remove screen, clean and replace. If the chopper is broken you can order a replacement for $21. There is another story on this site with a lot more detail so I wont repeat here.

At first, I figured the noise was coming from underneath, and took off the bottom front plate. I noticed there was a leak from the center of what I later learned was the "pump" assembly. So I unplugged the dishwasher, disconnected the water and drain from under the sink, unscrewed the screws holding it under the counter, and pulled it out from under the cabinet. Then I laid it on its back, and realized where the leak was coming from. At this point, I thought the noise had been coming from the motor. So I detached the motor (required use of a socket, and realized it was "free", so thought the problem must be further up inside. Reached my fingers in where the motor mounts and found part of the chopper assembly. The "chopper" had torn itself free from the screen. Realized at that moment I needed to disassemble the pump from the top. Took off water distribution system, bottom water rotor, pump plate (required use of "star" screwdrivers, two different sizes), foreign object plate, and chopper assembly cover. Getting the chopper assembly cover off was hard; had to pry it with sharp l-shaped poker; it was adhered with calcium deposits. Finally got it off, found rest of chopper assembly (screen with hole in the middle where chopper had been), ordered chopper from PartSelect, took 3 days, installation was easy, the reverse of removing it. (It is not necessary to remove motor to replace chopper assembly.) However, it is still leaking from the bottom, and I'm at a loss as to how to fix that.

I read the manual for problems, possible causes and saw chopper assemble fitting the description of my problem. I was expecting part in 5 business days and received it in 2. I hate doing dishes by hand. Thanks!

First I took the baskets out. Then I removed the water spray assembly. Remove the internal parts to access the chopper assembly. The assembly was clogged and not operating. Remove the chopper, cleaned out the water delivery parts (bits of food, seeds, and other things). Chopper screen was so filled with food matter it was not usable. The chopper was not operating. Replace the chopper assemble after the part arrived. The dishwasher works like new. The silverware basked was worn out and parts of the basked were broken. The new basket works great.

After ordering a seperate motor and disassembling the housing I discovered that the chopper was inoperable. I ordered the ENTIRE motor housing, turned the dishwasher on its side for easier access, took the clamps off the old housing and removed it. I replaced the old motor housng with the new one, retraced the wiring hook-ups, hooked up the water and turned it on! Bingo! Saved $250 in repair costs.

My wife and I realized we need someone to fix our dishwasher. We were tired of the "Fix-it-man" routine. The usual routine is, we get billed for a 5 minute in house evaluation, parts are ordered and week later he/she shows up to fix the broken appliance. This is fine but we always end up paying way to much for the hours spent and level of difficult. My wife and I decided to take apart the dishwasher on our own. Within 10 minutes we found the broken piece. We had no clue what it was so we went to the internet, found a picture of the broken piece and how to fix it. We called PartSelect to confirm the part and ordered it. Once we got the part, within 15 minutes we had the part installed and washing dishes clean. We are now encouraged to fix our own appliances. No more high priced "Fix-it-Man". With the saved money, my wife and I went out on the town.

The replacement os the part is very easy if you know how to disconnect the pipes for the upper deck (for my model, you take the pipe out of the clip on the back wall and swing to the right about 30 degrees). You need 2 different size star screwdrivers to remove the rest of the assembly, 6 screws in all. The choopper assembly is easy to remove and replace. Just make sure you pull the spring loaded blade back so it can fit into its maid. Reconnecting the pipes back up can be tricky. Make sure the pip is connected at the 30 degree angle, then bring into it's normal position.

First I pulled the upper arm apart and verified that it was clear. Then I took the filter stainer apart and saw the broken glass. I took 4 screws out and took the chopper and screen out. Ordered the new parts and replaced in 15 minutes. Works like a charm and took $25 to fix.

Removed top screen (4 torx screws) to access pump and chopper assembly. Removed (2 torx screws) that held small plastic screen and cover for chopper assembly. Removed broken chopper assembly and reinstalled new assembly lining up plastic gears. Reinstalled assembly cover and plastic screen.

Removed bottom sprayer by turning thumbscrew clockwise approximately 2 turns. Disconnected pipe that feeds upper sprayer by twisting approx. 1/4 turn in CW direction. Removed 4 screws that hold the bottom plastic plate. Removed 2 screws that hold plate on bottom of unit that also holds the choper assembly cover down. Pried off chopper assembly cover and removed broken chopper assembly and replaced with new. Reassembled all parts in reverse over described above.

Quite diffucult to break free the water duct from pump to upper basket. I felt that it would break. But it did not. Chopper came right out after removing two levels of plates/shields. Had to finagle it back in as it fits only one way. Have a good droplight in the tub. Makes it easier. Can do without pulling D/W from kitchen cabinet. Good clean fun & it fixed the noise.