How to replace a float switch on a Bosch dishwasher

Is your Bosch dishwasher leaving you high and dry or flooding your kitchen? A faulty float switch might be the culprit, causing your dishwasher to improperly fill or drain water. Don’t worry–our easy-to-follow guide and how-to video below will walk you through fixing this issue yourself, saving you both time and money!

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The float switch on a Bosch dishwasher acts as a safety mechanism. When water in your dishwasher reaches a certain level, this switch prevents potential flooding by turning off the water inlet valve and activating the drain pump.  Over time, the float switch can wear out or become damaged which can cause the dishwasher to not fill with water, not drain properly, or even overfill. This is a relatively simple repair you can do yourself to save time and money so, grab your tools, and let’s get your dishwasher back to its best! 

Watch here: How To: Bosch/Thermador/Gaggenau Float Switch 00611665

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.

Tools needed

• 5/8″ open-ended wrench
• 5/16″ nut driver
• Phillips screwdriver
• Torx 20 screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Small flathead screwdriver

Safety precautions

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs to any appliance parts that hold water. Have towels ready for any residual water in the system when removing parts. 
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Don’t test wiring with a multimeter for live voltage if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short circuiting when testing. 
• 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.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 

Replacement steps

Prepare the Dishwasher

1. Open the dishwasher door and use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws on the mounting brackets that hold the dishwasher to the countertop or cabinet.
2. Place a towel and container under shut off falve to catch any water that may leak.
3. Use a 5/8 open-ended wrench to remove the water line.
4. Use a 5/16 inch nut driver to loosen the hose clamp and disconnect the drain hose from the air gap or garbage disposal. Be careful of any residual water in the hose.

Access the float switch

1. Tilt the dishwasher and place it on its left side to gain access to the bottom.
2. Take out a couple of Phillips screws in the corners and remove the top panel.
3. Use a Torx 20 screwdriver to remove the screw holding the cover, and then remove the harness from the pump. Open the tab to free the cover.

Remove the float switch

1. Pull up the lever from the float to remove it.
2. Use the Torx 20 screwdriver to remove the second screw on the right side and then remove the assembly. Slide out the lever, make a note of its orientation for reassembly.
3. Carefully open the tab that is part of the switch and slide out the plug.
4. Use a larger screwdriver to apply pressure to the switch, and a small screwdriver to open the bracket. Carefully remove the switch.

Install the new float switch

1. Slide the new switch into the bracket, ensuring the clips lock into the holes.
2. Plug the harness back into the new switch so that it is securely locked.

Reassemble the dishwasher

1. Reinstall the lever onto the float, ensuring it’s correctly oriented and pressed on firmly.
2. Use a Torx 20 screw to re-secure the bracket on the right side.
3. Press the cover back into place and secure the harness.
4. Reattach the cover screw to firmly hold the cover in place.

Final steps

1. Carefully return the dishwasher to its upright position.
2. Align and secure the top panel with Phillips screws.
3. Carefully slide the dishwasher back under the counter.
4. Manually thread the water line onto the shut-off valve and tighten with a 5/8 open-ended wrench.
5. Connect the drain hose to the air gap and secure with a clamp using a 5/16 inch nut driver.
6. Use the mounting brackets and Phillips screws to secure the dishwasher back in place under the cabinet.
7. Close the door, turn the water on, plug in the dishwasher, and run it to check for any leaks.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the float switch on your Bosch 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.

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