If the dishes coming out of your Whirlpool dishwasher model
DU1145XTPB0, look anything but clean, your appliance may have a defective detergent dispenser. During a wash cycle, the dispenser door opens and releases soap into the dishwasher. If the dispenser is malfunctioning, the door will remain closed and the detergent won’t be administered. Unfortunately, a lack of soap automatically leads to a dishwasher that can’t properly clean your dishes. If you believe a faulty detergent dispenser is a cause behind your dirty dishes, replacing the component is your next step.
How to Replace the Detergent Dispenser in Your Whirlpool Dishwasher
Before getting started, unplug your dishwasher or turn it off at the circuit breaker. While repairing your appliance, safety goggles and work gloves should be worn at all times.
-
Open your dishwasher door, and remove the screws holding the outer and inner door panels together. Once all the screws are taken out, close the door and pull the outer door panel off your dishwasher.
-
Lift up the rubber flap covering the backside of the detergent dispenser. With a flat head screwdriver, disconnect the wires running to the solenoid, and disconnect the rinse sensor wire.
-
Unthread the mounting screws securing the dispenser to the dishwasher and remove the brackets holding the dispenser in place.
-
Disengage the two locking tabs on the top and bottom of the dispenser. Then open the appliance door and remove the detergent dispenser from the inner panel.
-
Before you start installing your new detergent dispenser, wipe down the edges around the opening in the inner door panel. Once the area is clean, snap the dispenser into place. Next, secure the dispenser with the mounting screws and bracket you removed earlier.
-
Reconnect the wires running to the solenoid. Let the rubber flap cover the dispenser and reattach the outer door panel. Open the dishwasher door and replace the screws that hold the outer and inner door panels together.
-
After the dishwasher is reassembled, close the appliance door and plug your dishwasher back in. To test out the new detergent dispenser, fill the dish racks with dirty dishes and start a wash cycle. If the dishes come out clean, your repair was successful.
If you have questions about your dishwasher’s performance or you would like to schedule a repair, please contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you.