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Post by Yoki on Jul 29, 2014 19:54:55 GMT
Our dishwasher (Whirlpool Gold - about 5 years old) stopped working over the weekend. We can get some of the buttons to light up, so we know it's getting power, but it won't start at all. My mad googling skills suggested that I try to re-set the control panel which I tried to do but didn't work. So, I called a repair guy. Over the phone, he diagnoses my problem as the control panel and then gives me a big, long speech about how these replacement parts are now made overseas and are incredibly unreliable. (He says that he's replaced six of them - 4 didn't work straight out of the box, 1 worked for a week, 1 worked for an hour and the other two were ok.) He then suggests that it's not worth the repair cost (at least $300) when you can buy a whole new dishwasher under full warranty for $400. He did end up coming out to my house because I thought I had a problem with my dryer, too, and he looked at the dishwasher and still feels it's the control panel but didn't do anything to test that theory out other than look at it & poke a few buttons. I liked this guy & felt like he was very trustworthy - especially after he didn't charge me a service for coming out (he felt like my dryer problem isn't a problem), but after thinking about it maybe he just doesn't want to deal with these electrical problems in dishwashers. I went out and priced new dishwashers today. After delivery & install fees a new dishwasher that meets our needs will cost at least $600. So - what would you do? Trust the repairman's opinion & get a new dishwasher? Get a second opinion from another repairman and take our chances with the repair? What if a second opinion doesn't mention any kinds of problems with replacement control panels - who to believe then? 8/2 Update: Well, thanks to a nudge from peasful1, I received the new part to fix the dishwasher today and gave it a whirl. We put in the new top control panel and when we tested it, we got the "start" button to light up, so hopefully that was problem. However ... we discovered that we probably broke the door latch when we were first trying to get into the control panel of the dishwasher. Doh! So, I just ordered the replacement part for that. Hoping it all comes together & gets fixed. repairclinic.com is a really great site to work with! They offer videos on their site showing you how to fix stuff, they ship quickly and they offer a 1 year no questions asked return policy on parts. Also, since I've taken this dang thing apart, I can totally see how these have such a short life span. The buttons on the top control panel start to wear out and water seeps in and then it's a straight shot down into the electrical components. I will from now on be putting a towel over the control panel when I 'm doing dishes (ours is one of the models with the controls right under the counter, so water often drips down there without us noticing it).
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
Busy Teacher Pea
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Jun 26, 2014 12:16:22 GMT
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Post by SabrinaP on Jul 29, 2014 20:03:54 GMT
At 5 years old I wouldn't put another $300 into it.
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Post by anxiousmom on Jul 29, 2014 20:12:26 GMT
I am totally not the person to ask. My dishwasher stopped working a couple of months ago and my solution is to go old-school and wash the stupid dishes by hand. It only costs me as much a bottle of dish soap every so often.
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Post by Yoki on Jul 29, 2014 20:15:58 GMT
I am totally not the person to ask. My dishwasher stopped working a couple of months ago and my solution is to go old-school and wash the stupid dishes by hand. It only costs me as much a bottle of dish soap every so often. Believe me, I tempted!
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Post by bianca42 on Jul 29, 2014 20:21:06 GMT
The control panel on the front of our fridge went. I ordered the replacement part (about $80) and DH replaced it. The replacement part lasted less than a year before it went. At that point we couldn't source another replacement...and we couldn't go without the fridge.
But given my experience, I wouldn't put $300 into a dishwasher that old. I might consider sourcing and replacing the whole thing myself if it was under $100.
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Post by alissa103 on Jul 29, 2014 20:21:28 GMT
I'd get a new dishwasher.
We had the same issue with our refrigerator/freezer that we keep in the garage. It was the control panel and with parts and labor, it just wasn't worth doing on an appliance that's about 10 yrs old.
Shop around, wait for a sale, whatever to get a good price and then get a new one. At least you can hand wash dishes and aren't stuck having to get a new one right this second.
Or get another quote from someone if you're unsure.
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Post by alibama on Jul 29, 2014 20:23:18 GMT
I would say buy a new one. Maybe you could get lucky and find one at Lowes that is marked down or something. Mine was marked down to 40.00!! It was a stainless steel one and someone returned it because it leaked. The little seal was not in it correctly, they fixed it and it works fine and I am on year 4.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Jul 29, 2014 20:23:41 GMT
I suggest a new dishwasher, but it pains me that things just don't last anymore.
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marianne
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Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on Jul 29, 2014 20:39:21 GMT
At 5 years old I wouldn't put another $300 into it. Although it tics me off that appliances just don't last anymore.
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suzastampin
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Jun 28, 2014 14:32:59 GMT
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Post by suzastampin on Jul 29, 2014 20:56:13 GMT
I'd get a new one. I preface this by saying that our dishwasher is 25 years old. Actually, I was shocked it was that old! It didn't seem possible until I remembered getting it when our son was an infant and he's now 26. Anyway, we don't have room for a built in, so ours is the one you roll back and forth to the sink. Last winter it started not getting all of the water back out. So, I went online and found the motor/pump for it to the tune of $140.00. We had a friend install it, so we didn't have to pay for that. It worked for a few more months, then it started leaking. I've gone old school to washing by hand as a new move around is $600+. I don't have any small kiddos now, so I don't mind taking the time to do them by hand now. So, the point of my post is that probably as soon as you fix one thing, another will go.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
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Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Jul 29, 2014 20:59:24 GMT
I'd get a new one.
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josie
Full Member
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Jul 29, 2014 20:47:33 GMT
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Post by josie on Jul 29, 2014 21:14:52 GMT
I would get a new one. Do you have a lowes near you? I signed up for a new homeowner coupon or something similiar and got a 10% off coupon, there were also some of the same coupon codes floating around online.
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anniebygaslight
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Jul 29, 2014 21:23:08 GMT
If it is 5 years old, I would get a newer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly one.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Jul 29, 2014 21:31:38 GMT
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Post by anniefb on Jul 29, 2014 21:33:15 GMT
I was going to suggest investigating repairs but I just found a heap of articles about known faults with Whirlpool control panels, including lawsuits about fire risks etc. I'd get a new one from a different brand!
ETA Don't know what's available in your part of the world, but I recommend AEG. I have a 14 year old dishwaster and a 20 year old washing machine & dryer that have all needed repairs only once or twice in that time.
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paget
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Jul 29, 2014 21:41:49 GMT
At 5 years old I wouldn't put another $300 into it. Although it tics me off that appliances just don't last anymore. It hacks me off that appliances are all computerized. In my experience 90% off the repairs I've had on dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, and ovens it always that damn panel.
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Pamelou
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Jun 30, 2014 22:25:19 GMT
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Post by Pamelou on Jul 29, 2014 21:56:07 GMT
I'd get a new dishwasher. I had a Maytag dishwasher that was nothing but trouble that started not long after purchasing and installing it. I now have a GE Adora with a stainless interior and I am more than pleased with its performance and look. Controls on top, not in front. Good luck.
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Post by deshacrafts on Jul 29, 2014 22:18:06 GMT
My DH might buy the panel and replace that first. But if your DH isn't handy, I would just get a new one. It wouldn't be worth it to fix the one you have otherwise.
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Post by ajsweetpea on Jul 29, 2014 22:19:15 GMT
I would replace it. I have a Maytag dishwasher (same company as Whirlpool). It is 4 years old and the control panel has needed to be replaced twice. They are not made well at all and if you do replace the control panel, be prepared for it to die again, maybe in 1-2 years. I had to spend $300 EACH time on repairs. Hubby said the next time it goes out, we are replacing the dishwasher. I'd buy something new and avoid Maytag/Whirlpool like the plague. Their items are not well made anymore. It is really a shame! Try looking at some consumer reports for products with good reviews. I have heard good things about Bosch.
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Post by susans sister on Jul 29, 2014 22:59:02 GMT
We have a Kitchen Aid that is 14 years old. We had the control panel replaced about 6 years ago. Cost about $150. plus labor. I can't remember the total cost. Anyway it has worked fine since then. The repairman told us not to interrupt the cycle once it has started. We have been careful about not doing that and have had no problems.
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Post by Scrapbrat on Jul 29, 2014 23:06:03 GMT
I think he may be right about the control panels. We thought we had a problem with the one on our stove, and basically you can't even replace the part after a few years. I would get a new dishwasher, but that said, we went 2 years between dishwashers last time cuz I couldn't find one I liked. It wasn't that bad washing dishes by hand and it allowed me to save money for a nicer dishwasher.
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Post by Yoki on Jul 29, 2014 23:09:16 GMT
Thanks for all the opinions & advice!
I agree - it makes me angry that such a big & expensive appliance has such a short life span.
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purplebee
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Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Jul 29, 2014 23:11:11 GMT
Yep, I'd wait for a sale- check with Lowe's - we got a good deal on a new washer on Black Friday last year.
Appliances are no longer made to last. We paid a bunch for a high efficiency washer/dryer pair from Sears. The washer quit after about 3 years. We called our local repair guy out, who's been in the business forever. He said that washing machines are now made to last 3-4 years, then you junk them and buy a new one! No wonder our landfills are overflowing.
I HATE electronic trash too - everything is disposable, throw it out and buy another. Makes me crazy.....
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Post by Yoki on Jul 29, 2014 23:27:19 GMT
purplebee The repairman told me that my dryer (at least 15 years old) is worth repairing a few times because having a few replacement parts from overseas is better than having a whole unit made overseas. What are we sacrificing for lower prices? I suppose that's a whole 'nother thread.
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purplebee
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Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Jul 29, 2014 23:32:03 GMT
purplebee The repairman told me that my dryer (at least 15 years old) is worth repairing a few times because having a few replacement parts from overseas is better than having a whole unit made overseas. What are we sacrificing for lower prices? I suppose that's a whole 'nother thread. [b Yoki, I've had w/d pairs that have lasted for 10+ years, and they were able to be repaired easily and parts were available. Sadly, I just think the quality of of appliances has taken a nosedive in the last 5-10 years.
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Post by Really Red on Jul 29, 2014 23:35:41 GMT
I asked my repairman which is the most reliable and he told me Kitchen Aid. I swear our DW is the best. I would get a new one, too. It is ridiculous. Sorry
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back to *pea*ality
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Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
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Post by back to *pea*ality on Jul 29, 2014 23:39:51 GMT
I think I'd trust the opinion of the guy who was honest enough to be up front and lose a repair job because of it!
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Post by keknj on Jul 29, 2014 23:45:58 GMT
I wouldn't put another $300 into it. Sadly, no cares about making items that last any longer. Just toss 'em out and get a new one.
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Post by ladytrisha on Jul 29, 2014 23:46:49 GMT
They just aren't built to last. We have a 10 year old one and it's just starting to act up with incomplete cleaning. I don't plan on repairing it because you know the minute you fix that, then this will break. Went down that road with my fridge - and I didn't like it! Knowing I can zip over to Home Depot and have a new one without any other problems is piece of mind. I think you have an awesome repair guy - definitely keep his name available and tell your friends - it's such a referral industry now. We have a repair guy (older guy, no nonsense). He's already braced me for when our washer goes and what to look for. He said "if the bearings go, then just replace the unit since the parts are as much as a new washer" ... it kills me. We went last weekend to our free "dump day" ... it is SO discouraging to see what is tossed out. Used to be you bought an appliance and it would last 15-20 years ... now you're lucky if you get 5-8 years.
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Post by Aheartfeltcard on Jul 29, 2014 23:55:41 GMT
Get a new one. I swear by Sears. I would get the service plan too. I love being able to call and get the repairs for free. They ended up replacing my dishwasher for free and gave me a year of free service with it because they could not repair it.
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