Door Handle Actuator

I removed the screws on the inside of the door assembly, which allows the inside of the door to seperate from the outside. The escuchen (control panel) was easy to remove - the handle actuator is inside the control panel. The handle assembly was easy to take apart and re-assemble with the new handle and spring. I then inserted the control panel back into the outside door and reattached all of the screws with a power drill. This was a repair that a GE-authorized service tech told me was going to be over $540 - he claimed the control panel and door handle/actuator was a single assembly. In the end this repair cost me $14 in parts and 15 minutes of time. I complained to GE Consumer Affairs and they rebated the tech house call back to me in 5 business days.

Removed front Door panel, by removing screws from back side of door, replaced pump, door handle actuator & spring. I did not have to remove the dishwasher from the counter (built in). Repairs took all of 20 min. and dishwasher was back in service. The price I paid for all the parts from PartSelect, was less then G.E. Repair Service wanted just to come out and look at the dishwasher ($99.50 plus parts & labor). The parts that online G.E Appliance was selling were about 25% to 40% higher in price. With total cost I figured I saved about $250.00 to $325.00 by doing it myself and the help of PartSelect.

When I first tried to fix the handle I could not figure out where the spring went. I went back online and looked at the diagram of the dishwasher on this site and learned where it went. Once I knew where every piece went it only took me about 5 minutes to put it back in and another 5 minutes to screw the cover back on. I am a newer homeowner and want to be able to do minor fixes. This was my first one and was very happy that I was able to do it on my own.

opened door removed screws holding back side of door took out front panel with latch assembley found broken part and replaced it

This isn't a terribly tricky repair, and the parts are cheap so it's worth a try!

(I had one tricky thing which was the door actuator broke while the door was shut. So I had to get the machine out of it's space without being able to open the front of the machine. I did this by lowering the feet in the front of the machine and then I used a hammer and flat chisel to break the two metal screws I had holding the top of the machine to the top of counter top...a little tricky!)

Remove screws from inside lower panel (where you put soap..the bottom) this will allow you to remove the inside of the door. But be careful as there are still wires attached so be careful to place the inside part without stressing the wires.

I needed to remove the metal harness and to open the black rectangular box that holds the interlock plunger so I could remove the plunger and spring (don't lose..and remember how it goes. take pictures if necessary). Then I was able to remove the broken actuator and see how it all fits together. It rests on top of the latch with notched side facing the inside of the machine. Make sure the notch is centered around where the interlock plunger is located.

Once you have the pieces fit together insert them into the door. Replace the plunger and spring and close the black rectangular box. Then replace the metal harness.

Hold everything in place and put the inside of the door back into position and lock it down with the screws.

You can test the door to make sure it's working but the whole mechanism is less functional when the machine isn't secured into its space. So, if you're mostly sure you've got it right, resecure the machine into its space making sure it's solid and then you should be good.

Like most everyone here I was very happy to accomplish this repair without calling in the repair service!! Awesome.

Remove the screws from the door and replace the switch interlock and door latch.

The problem is fixed and the dishwasher works fine so far (about three weeks) now.

The source of the problem looks more like the door latch because I use to push the door in to get it going before I replace the parts.

The video I received via email that show the how to do it was very helpful.

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Update after more than month. (12/30/2020)
The problem still persists. However I have a possible solution for it that doesn’t require any parts at all. The entire dishwasher is tilted backward. As the washing started and the water pileup in the bottoms of the dishwasher, it pull the entire dishwasher back work causing the switch interlock to release (open the relay causing the door open been sounds).

Level the dishwasher so that it doesn’t tilt backwards and this should fix the issue. I will post the latest after a month. If you need more info I can send a picture to describe the issue more clearly.
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Update 01-06-2021
The problem still persists. The above theory I had was wrong and didn’t make any difference.

However, I have a permanent solution but it may not be ideal for most people ??. The relay that get close/open when the door is close/open is now always CLOSED. To start the dishwasher just press start and make sure you don’t open the door while the dishwasher is running. It will not stop. I am sorry and I know it’s not a good solution but it’s kind of funny.

Removed top screws to allow the ability to remove control dishwasher control unit. Remove door parts & be careful how you remove them & put back the door parts the same way.

I followed instructions from the video link that was provided with the parts order confirmation.This repair was not difficult .

The refrigerator air filter was very easy to replace. There was also a new indicator (to remind me when to replace the filter again) that came with the filter.

took off eight philips screws on inside door panel which then exposed the broken actuator and missing spring. Replaced broken and lost parts and reset actuator in door then reinstalled inside door panel. Done and I'm happy not to have called service.
Joe

Took it apart found the problem,went on line orderd the part which came right away. Had it back together in 10 minutes