Frigidaire Dishwasher Not Draining? Replace the Motor 155484401

Is your Frigidaire dishwasher making strange grinding noises or refusing to spray water? These frustrating symptoms often point to a failing motor assembly. Don’t worry, you can bring your dishwasher back to life with a DIY repair! Just follow our step-by-step guide and watch the how-to video below to replace the motor assembly and save on costly professional repairs.

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If your Frigidaire dishwasher has stopped spraying water or is making strange grinding noises, chances are the motor assembly (part 155484401) is on its last legs. The motor is the heart of your dishwasher, it powers the spray arms and keeps the water moving. Replacing it might sound like a big job, but with the right steps and a little patience, you can tackle it yourself and save a bundle on repair costs. In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to swap out the old motor for a new one and get your dishwasher back to full power. Let’s jump in!

Watch here: How to replace the motor assembly on a dishwasher

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Signs that you will need to replace the motor

Before digging into the nitty gritty of how to swap out the motor assembly, let’s go over the signs that indicate you likely need a new one:

• If the motor stops running completely, it could be burned out from normal wear and tear over years of use. Motors have a finite lifespan.
• Grinding, rattling, or buzzing coming from the lower portion of your dishwasher points to motor problems. The bearings inside may be worn out.
• A leak near the bottom of the tub or onto the floor under or around the motor often means a seal has failed. Water ingress eventually causes shorts and motor failure.
• The weak or insufficient spray coming from the spray arms during wash cycles usually stems from a low water flow rate caused by a failing drain pump/motor.

If your Frigidaire dishwasher exhibits any of the above symptoms, replacing the motor assembly should restore normal operation.

Tools and materials needed

Make sure you have the following tools and materials handy before getting started:

• Phillips screwdriver 
• 5/16-inch nut driver 
• 5/8-inch open-end wrench 
• Torque 20 screwdriver
• Motor assembly part #155484401-Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your unit.
• Rubber seals (comes with the motor)
• Liquid soap/water

Safety first 

Your safety should always be the top priority when performing any appliance repair:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of electric shock. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it. 
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• If your appliance has any parts that hold water, turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

Replacement Steps

Step 1 – Uninstall the Dishwasher

1. Open the door.
2. Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws mounting the dishwasher to the counter.
3. Remove the lower dishrack.
4. Put a towel and a plastic container under the water shut-off valve.
5. Use the 5/8-inch open-ended wrench to remove the water line.
6. Use the 5/16-inch nut driver to loosen the drain hose clamp.
7. Remove the drain hose from the air gap.

 Note: Be careful—there may still be water inside the hose.

Step 2 – Remove the Motor

1. Pull out the dishwasher.
2. Lay the dishwasher on its side.
3. Press in on the locking tabs to remove the wire harness from the motor.
4. Use the Torx 20 screwdriver to remove the screws holding the motor bracket.
5. Remove the bracket.
6. Carefully rock the motor assembly side to side to break it loose and remove it.
7. Make sure both seals come out with the old motor.

Step 3 – Install the New Motor

1. Clean the opening where the motor sits.
2. Put the new rubber seals on the motor.
3. The larger seal goes first and sits in the first channel.
4. The smaller seal goes second, in the second channel on the front.
5. Put a little bit of liquid soap or water on the seals.
6. Install the new motor into the opening.
7. Rock and push the motor side to side until the flange touches the pump housing.
8. Install the motor retaining bracket into the groove, with the two prongs fitting into the slots.
9. Secure the motor bracket with the two Torx 20 screws.
10. Connect the two motor plugs.
11. Lift the dishwasher upright.
12. Push the dishwasher back in.

Step 4 – Finish Up

1. Manually thread the water line onto the shut-off valve.
2. Use the 5/8-inch open-ended wrench to tighten it down.
3. Connect the drain hose to the air gap.
4. Tighten the clamp with the 5/16-inch nut driver.
5. Slide the lower dishrack back in.
6. Use the Phillips screwdriver to install the screws mounting the dishwasher to the counter.
7. Close the door. Turn the water and power back on.

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the motor assembly in your Frigidaire dishwasher. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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