Today, I noticed the broken heating element (almost semi-circle one was cut into the two parts) inside my Kenmore dishwasher. I also noticed the incomplete dishwashing.

1. If I continuously use the dishwash machine with the cut heating element, is there any risk of an electrical fire?

2. If I order the heating element from Sears, can I replace it by myself? In that case, is there any instructions?

Thanks.

I recommend replacing the element. Will if cause a fire? Umm. Hard to say, anything is possible. It will most likely just short out and trip breakers. Could also damage other compoents.

Small elements like that seem to be held on by little clips, similar to what you might find on a ball joint. The best thing to do is look under the dishwasher with a mirror and see how they are mounted in there. It could be clipped on, it could be attached with a threaded nut. In any event, it shouldn't be to hard with a little studying.

The new element will most likley not come with instructions on how to replace.

Thank you, Andy.

I will try for replacement of the heating element if I can.

Dear Andy:

Today, I got the Heating Element part (my dishwasher Model #: 16509200; heating element Carton Part #:4391621 ) as well as the repair manual for Kenmore Dishwashers from Sears repair center.

However, it seems to me that the repair manual does not perfectly match with my model. According to the manual, first I am supposed to remove Access Panel/Toe panel and then remove the long nut or terminal-type nut from both sides of the heater (also, according to the manual, the spring, bracket and thermostat/insulator (if used) will fall when the nuts are removed in some models?).

1. When I took out the front bottom plate, I can see the bottom parts of the dishwasher below the tub area on the floor cement. But, I can not see the Toe Panel or Access Panel that the manual mentioned.

2. After removing the front bottom plate, I streched out my arm and hand to access the long nut or terminal nut, but it was impossible for me to touch the nut ot can not locate the nut area.


Questions: 1. Do I need to find the Acess Panel? In this case, is the Acess Panel positioned vertically from the cement bottom or horizontally 4 (?) inches above the cement bottom?

If the latter is the case, it may be hard for me to take out the Access panel because I have to look up from the bottom cement and unscrew them.

2. If the former is the case, am I supposed to use the mirror as you suggested in the previous message while I am attempting to remove the long nut or terminal-type nut from both sides of the heater? It seems to me that the nut is located in the back, bottom area and some parts are blocking the front view so that the mirroring may be not easy. Is this the best repair procesure? In that case, how can I locate the long nuts easily? Do I need to clear the way?

3. If the above procedures are not right, I am wondering the built-in dishwasher should be come out in the open space in order to replace the heating element? Then how can I unscrew and move the built-in dishwasher?

Thanks for your help.

Sung

Dear Andy:

I have one more question. When I checked back the figure of the manual page ("For plastic linear models - 1986 and newer"), it looks like that the newer model (mine) does not have any nut, bracket, and thermostat in heater assembly. The heater of the newer model is connected with only the Rubber Washer in this figure.

Question: In this case, I am wondering if I can pull out the broken heater using pliers by force from the near Heater Support, then place the new Rubber Washer and finally squeeze in the new Heater?? Then I do not need to work from the bottom, back area.


Thanks for your help.

Sung