Pump Housing Filter

1) Lower Spray Arm and Pump Housing Filter:
1a) Unscrewed lower spray arm cap. Removed lower spray arm. Removed metal radiant shields from lower spray arm, cleaned them, and snapped them onto the new lower spray arm.
1b) Removed Torx screws from pump cover, then removed pump cover.
1c) Curled new filter into circular shape, interlocking the tabs to connect the ends together, then replaced the old pump housing filter by removing the old filter and then pushing the new one into place in the pump cover. Old O-ring was fine, so didn't really need to replace it.
1d) Re-installed pump cover by aligning the water ports on the cover with those in the dishwasher, then pushing cover down into place, then installing and tightening the Torx screws. If I were to do this repair again, I would replace the pump cover with a new one.
1e) Installed the spray arm by placing the new lower spray arm into position over pump cover, then screwing in the lower spray arm cap.
2) Upper Spray Arm
2a) Removed upper spray arm by unscrewing the snap outlet nut, then removing the spray arm retainer. This way, the retainer is undamaged and can be re-used.
2b) Attached new upper spray arm to snap outlet nut by pushing old retainer through new upper spray arm and into snap outlet nut.
2c) Installed new upper spray arm by screwing snap outlet nut back into the dishwasher.

removed lower spray arm and the 6 torx screws that hold the pump cover and secondary filter housing. Removed it and the filter. Removed the pump housing and removed the impeller nut with a 5/16 nutdriver. Removed the old impeller and put in the new one. Replaced the parts in reverse order.

Our first effort was to replace the lower washer arm that had splits in the sides of this plastic part. While this increased the water pressure in the wash cycle some it was not enough to adequately wash the dishes. We read that someone else had to clean out the filter which was below the lower washer arm assembly. Thus, we took off the loweer arm assembly by screwing off the hold down assembly in the middle of the arm. We then took off the pump cover by removing the 6 screws that hold it in place with a #3 metric allen wrench. When we took of the cover we could see that the pump filter was so covered with deposits that it was not letting the water through to the pump. Rather than spend hours trying to clean the filter and pump cover we decided it was easier to repalce them. Thus, we ordered the parts and replaced them. The dishwaster is now working fine. We appreciated the information that others had shared that helped us find and fix the problem.

After removing parts, cleaned both upper and lower spray arms, blew out lead to the upper arm, and started to install the new parts.

Unfortunately, the Pump Housing Filter was still cold (freezing weather during shipment and left at the front door) and when I started to bend it into shape it broke in two places. So I tolk the old filter and some Lime away and slowly cleaned it with soft brush to open 95% of the holes.
Once ready it was installed along with the other new parts and the dishwasher works very well.

Simple homeowner repair.

I removed the dishwasher to outside the house and examined it for signs of leakage. Found 2, one at the water injector and a second at the bottom right of the front door. In checking the water injector I found that a large roach had crawled in and died which was blocking the inlet into the dishwasher. I cleaned that out. I examined the door and seal but could not find any obvious source for the door leak. I purchased locally a door seal and installed it. I connected the dishwasher up to water and electricity using a grounded plug. I also hooked up a drain hose (be sure to put an elevated loop in it to keep the water from draining before being pumped out). I ran the dishwasher and found water still dripping from inside the front door during the wash cycle only. After unplugging the dishwasher, I removed the door's front decorative panel (2 screws, one on each outside lower edge) and began watching through one of the 1.5" holes punched in the door metal panel. I noted that during the wash cycle only, water was dripping from the area of the soap dispensor release mechanism. I the inner door plastic panel, by removing the seven screws. I also had to remove the dispensor release actuator since I could not pull the 2 wire connectors off without fearing I would break the mounting tabs off. I released the tabs that held in the actuator easily with my fingers freeing the actuator from the inner plastic panel. The only place that I could see an opening was the the release arm and its rubber seal. However the rubber seal was heavily caked with hardened detergent. Feeling that the seal rubber was probably hardened and cracked, I released it. I had to remove the release arm assembly held in with 2 screws. I reassembled the assembly with the new seal in and ran the dishwasher. No leaks. I did find that if I had just pulled the seal and rubbed it between my fingers the dried detergent would break off and the rubber itself was fine. Should have tried that first. I did replace the dispensor door because of crusted detergent on the door seal. I could not get the crusty stuff off without tearing the seal. I used a small thin punch to push the hinge pin (non spring side) from the plastic inner panel to the dispensor door side releasing the hinge and allowing the door to come out. Reinstalled the pins and spring into the new door. After putting the dispensor door in place, I pushed the hinge pin (non spring side) through the door hinge into the inner plastic panel.
I also wanted to improve the cleaning level that had decreased over the years. I removed the uppper pump housing by removing the hand nut on the lower spray bar then the 6 T-20 torx screws. Inside the plastic filter screen. I found that the screen was partially plugged by either minerals or dried detergent. The old one was stuck slightly to the lower pump housing. I tried to poke out the debris out of each of the screen holes but was taking way too long. I did not try chemicals but since I was ordering parts made sense to have a new one shipped in. You have to snap the new screen together and align the edges before inserting it into the lower pump housing. Reassemble the upper pump housing. Be sure to clean the filter spinning arms of debris along with the lower (and upper) spray arms befrore reassembling them. Ran the dishwasher a couple of full cycles to check for leaks and found none.
FYI, the dishwasher will not clean as well if you fill it with cold water and even with the heat element, the cycles take a very long time to run through to allow for heating the water. Once I reinstalled the dishwasher, I notice an improvement in cleaning.
Good luck.

I have no prior experience fixing any appliance but figured I might be able to save this old dishwasher. I read some where on this web site that I needed to replace the upper and lower spray arm, and someone suggested replacing the filter as well. I ordered the parts by looking at partselect.com's picture of the dishwasher and read someone's explanation that I needed to remove the filter housing to replace the filter.

The upper spray arm comes off by gently pulling down on the spray arm. I put the new one in its place.

The lower spray arm had a thin, large (about 2" diameter) round screw holding it and its housing in place. I removed the large, flat screw and the lower arm came off. Below that was the filter housing. I unscrewed the six screws, took off the housing, replaced the filter, and put the housing back on.

Then I removed the lower arm from the plastic thing that was holding it, removed the stainless steel heat plates and put them on the new washer arm. Put the washer arm back on the thing that held it, and screwed the washer arm assembly in place with the large plastic screw.

found washer arms choked up, they also would not spin removed pump to find filter also choked up and warped, replaced both arms and filter, very easy repair.

replaced wiyh new parts

took the cover off and replaced the filter. It works great now.

Had a repairman come to clean out all the food that had gathered at the base. Once he showed me how to take the spinner off I was able to order the parts and install them in no time. It works great now. Repairman and parts cost me $100, better than buying a new one.