any dishwasher repair guys out there?

[Bonibelle]

I ordered a new door panel for my Kenmore dishwasher (to match my new stove). After two tries, Sears has finally sent the right part...but there were no instructions. I know it sounds simple to just replace the panel, but all that electronic junk is in the way and I don't want to end up having to call the repair guy @$65.00 an hour for something that I mess up.   Has anyone done this? I know...turn off the electric. .but I'm not sure what is holding what together..there are a lot of screws! I have searched the internet for information...but no luck... It is a Sears elite, the door panel is the wrap around type, not a flat panel with frame.
Thanks

[Vinny]

Boni,

Go to repairclinic.com or even sears.com and put in your model. An exploded view should come up on various areas of the dishwasher and it should help with the way it comes apart. I have repaired my dishwasher and washing machine and it usually is a fairly easy disassembly.

I'm thinking that there are screws that hold the door bezel onto the frame and either their on the side or their inside the door facing out. I would think that if it is just the outside skin the electronics shouldn't be in the way. I have replaced the entire door frame on my old dishwasher and it seemed to come apart really easy and went in just as easy.

If you'd like to post the model I'll see if I can help, I can't promise anything since we are close to Christmas and it's getting nuts here.

I hope this helps!

Vinny

[Ruby]

If you don't get any answers here, you might want to check this board for your answer:
http://boards.hgtv.com/6/ubb.x?a=cfrm&s=1084078532&f=4964011632
I hope I did the link right  

I'm remodeling my kitchen and I've been reading a lot on those boards. There's a lot of good info.  The most frequent posting handyman  (Bob Fleming) is gone for a few days  
moving, but one of the other handy people might be able to answer your question .

[Vinny]

Boni,


I looked at my Kenmore, non elite dishwasher door. It has about 8 screws going down each side on the inside of the door. There is a top section where the door latch is and then the large outside panel. I would think that if yours has the screws just take them off and the panel should pop off. I can't see (but don't know) how different an elite would be different.

My dishwasher doesn't have a outside frame and does wrap around but is square not rounded like I've seen some.

Also, I forgot to mention if you go to sears.com you need to go to the parts section ... sorry!

[Bonibelle]

Hi Vinny, I have tried Sears site, it gives a visual of the part, but no details on how it goes on the washer. I also spent tons of time on repairclinic. It shows dishwashers, but not detail on where those screws go. I just didn't want to take it apart and get into more than just a panel replacement because I took out the wrong screws.
I think the only difference in the Elite is the cost!..it was the one on sale the day I went looking...!! Sears is so full of (*&^% (sorry Drew!), but even though Sears told me the dishwasher was made by Whirlpool, and I should be able to get the info from Whirlpool...Whirlpool won't claim it!  And their website is no help either. Sears is supposed to have some one call me with assistance by NEXT Thursday!  I think they should just wait until Christmas and surprise me!

Thanks Vinny, No chance you will move to Pa anytime soon, is there?

Hey Ruby, I just love that HGTV forum! I can't believe I didn't see that one before!   Thanks!

Anyway, I have the electric off and my surgical tools ready...if I screw it up..I will be getting a new..NON_SEARS dishwasher for Christmas.

[txwillie]

I think Vinny is right about just taking the screws off the side of the door trim. I did that to one a few years back, and guess what? There were already several other color panels inside (no SS however).  I just swapped the black one for the white one (maybe it was white for black). Anyway, it was a 5 minute job.

txwillie

[Bonibelle]

Yep Vinny was right.  I wish my dishwasher was the older type that just let you switch the door panels, but it was the wrapped type. It only involved 6 screws...but I may be in trouble anyway..I needed one of those star shaped screw driver heads...and the only one to be found was in the new tool kit my hubby bought me for Christmas (he left it in the back of my car when he went shopping the other day)..so in desperation...forced to find the right tool...I opened it! Now to get it back in the package and back into my car before he finds out!
The dishwasher now looks like some sort of hybrid appliance, the panel is bisque and the top control system is still black... :-/ I didn't think it would look too bad, but it looks kind of strange, so I'm not sure I like it at all...Should have stayed with white appliances...  

[MostlyLurkingGal]

Well, congrats with doing it yourself even if your not sure you like it!

[Bonibelle]

Thanks MLGirl, the good thing is when I want to do something I am not sure of...one of the members on here will chime in and tell me how to do it or how to find info !  That project ended up being much much less involved then I expected!

[In Canada eh]

Boni

   Sorry to have missed your post but congrats on doing it yourself.  We men sometimes tend to over value ourselves, maybe we can be replaced

   Now.....about opening your Christmas present early, you better hope Santa wasn't watching or you may get moved to the other list

[drewstar]

Glad to hear you got it figured out Bonnie.

I'm not to thrilled with Sears lately. I think things are changeing a bit now that they are with Kmart. Several folks have told me about poor customer service issues.

Last month, I purchased a new GE front load washer and dryer from Sears and the delivery guys were idoits. They did nothing, and also forgot to remove the packing bolts to the washer wich caused big problems.  There were issues with the pedistals they came on and the hook up. All in all, I felt I was doing business with some flunky apllaince store.      My Brother in law is also having problems with them.    I hope Sears can correct this. In the past I really enjoyed doing business with them.

[Spatech_tuo]

Sorry I wasn't here to help you because I had that exact same fix on my DW last month. It cost me about $70 and I was good to go just by undoing a few screws (star heads). The nice thing is it also makes the DW look newer with thaqt shiny new panel but I think my wife was hoping it wouldn't fix it so we could get a new one (not on my watch LOL)!!

[drewstar]

Sorry I wasn't here to help you because I had that exact same fix on my DW last month. It cost me about $70 and I was good to go just by undoing a few screws (star heads). The nice thing is it also makes the DW look newer with thaqt shiny new panel but I think my wife was hoping it wouldn't fix it so we could get a new one (not on my watch LOL)!!

Folks who have the slide in panels and find thier DW are a bit dingy, or just tired of the color, should take a look, all the dishwashers and see if thier panal is colored on the other side. Most of the ones  I've had came witha the panal  a reversable front panel . (Ie, take it out and flip it around. Most are balck and white).  

It was a nice change. But then again. I am easly entertained.