How To Replace A Dishwasher Circulation Pump and Motor

Is your dishwasher leaving dishes dirty and cycles endlessly long? Your home’s circulation pump and motor could be the hidden culprits. Don’t worry, though—a quick DIY fix is within reach! Watch our step-by-step video guide just below to learn how to efficiently replace these essential components and restore your dishwasher’s powerful cleaning performance.

The circulation pump and motor work together to continuously cycle water through the dishwasher during wash cycles. Over hundreds of cycles, normal wear can diminish their performance. Eventually, these key components may fail, preventing proper water movement needed to clean dishes. With some basic tools and following safety steps, homeowners can easily replace the circulation pump and motor assembly themselves.

Difference Between Circulation and Drain Pump

Dishwashers contain two types of pumps that serve important but distinct roles in the wash cycle process. Understanding the differences between the circulation pump and drain pump helps explain how dishwashers clean dishes so effectively.

Circulation Pump

The circulation pump is responsible for spraying water throughout the tub during the wash and rinse cycles. It circulates water from the bottom of the tub up to the spray arms at the top, creating the washing action.

The circulation pump draws water in through an inlet opening and pushes it at pressure out the outlet, spinning the spray arms above. This water circulation provides the cleaning action to remove soils from dishes. The circulation pump operates throughout most of the program, shutting off during drains.

Drain Pump

As its name implies, the drain pump is used to pump out and drain the water from the tub after the wash and rinse cycles finish. The drain pump will activate briefly at the beginning of a cycle to remove any residual water from the previous load as well.

The drain pump pulls water from the bottom of the tub and pumps it through the drain hose, sending it out to the home plumbing system. It generates a higher pressure than the circulation pump for rapid water removal. The drain pump only runs at key intervals, unlike the near-constant operation of the circulation pump.

Why Replace the Circulation Pump and Motor?

A few symptoms indicate the dishwasher circulation pump and motor need replacing:

• Dishes remain dirty after cycles, as water is not circulating adequately. Minerals and food debris stick instead of being flushed away.
• Cycles take much longer than normal to complete. The motor may be struggling to power the pump’s water movement.
• Water pools in the bottom of the dishwasher after cycles. Proper drainage relies on pumped water flow.
• Water leaks are noticed under the dishwasher. Pumps and motors contain seals that can deteriorate over time.

Rather than ignoring these issues, homeowners should replace the aging components to fully restore cleaning performance. The process is straightforward with familiar household tools.

Gather Tools and Safety Equipment

Careful preparation means a safe repair job. Unplug the dishwasher and shut off its water supply to prevent electrical shocks or flooding. Clear adequate workspace behind the appliance. Wear eye protection glasses and utility gloves during disassembly and reassembly too.

A few essential tools include:

• Phillips screwdriver
• 5/8 inch open-end wrench
• 5/16 inch nut driver
• Flathead screwdrivers (small and medium sizes)
• Replacement circulation pump and motor assembly (W11612326)

Having the proper tools and safety gear ready avoids wasted time mid-job hunts to hardware stores.

Disconnect Water Supply and Drain Lines

The first step is disconnecting the hoses underneath the sink. Following the water supply line, locate the shut-off valve and use the 5/8-inch wrench to loosen fittings. Remove by hand once free. Trace the drain hose up to find its end connector, typically an air gap. A 5/16 nut driver releases hose clamps to detach the drain line.

Remove the Dishwasher from the Cabinet

Open the dishwasher door and pull out the lower dish rack. This grants better access to mounting hardware. A Phillips screwdriver removes screws along the top dishwasher frame. Lift the door slightly and carefully slide the entire machine outward, using its frame for leverage. Place a protective cloth beneath for the next steps.

Access the Pump and Motor Assembly

Once on its back, locate the pump assembly attached to the housing inside the bottom dishwasher interior. A small flathead screwdriver releases the wiring harness clip and tug line free. An alternative screwdriver then bends the non-reusable clamp holding the inlet hose, releasing its locking tab. Finally, gently pull down on the pump assembly to detach its mounting tab from the housing base.

Install Replacement Pump and Motor

Inspect and compare the replacement pump motor assembly to the extracted old one. Wet rubber gaskets on both the new pump and sump housing aid smooth insertion. Line up locking tabs and press the pump fully into place. Fasten the inlet hose securely using a reusable screw clamp. Finish by reconnecting the wiring harness plug.

Refit Dishwasher and Reconnect Lines

Carefully lift and guide the dishwasher back into an upright position in the cabinet opening. Reach underneath to feed the water supply and drain lines through kitchen exterior openings once more. Push the machine fully inward and tighten all hose fittings securely. Replace mounting screws using the Phillips screwdriver to affix the dishwasher frame to the countertop.

Test Operation and Complete Repair

Reconnect power and water, then select a normal cycle to test the proper pump function. Dishes should emerge sparkling clean, and no drainage issues occur. Run multiple loads for confidence. With the new circulation pump and motor installed, reliability and performance are fully restored at a fraction of the cost of a service call.

Where To Find Us 

If you need any replacement parts for your appliances, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to locate and order them quickly. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have tons of great information in our repair help section and YouTube videos to help you troubleshoot.

Stay connected with the latest DIY tips, tutorial videos, and repair guides by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We love hearing about your repair stories and successes. If you need more help or want personalized guidance, feel free to contact or call us at 877-477-7278. We’re ready to help you take on your next project with confidence!

Since 1999, AppliancePartsPros.com has helped millions of people repair their broken appliances by providing high-quality original parts at well below retail prices, free support and troubleshooting, and award-winning customer service from an expert, friendly, US-based customer support team!