How to replace circulation motor and heater on a Bosch dishwasher

Is your Bosch dishwasher leaving dishes less than spotless or failing to heat water properly? The issue might be with the circulation motor and heating assembly—a problem most homeowners can fix themselves without the hassle and expense of calling in a pro. Check out our step-by-step guide below, complete with a how-to video, to get your dishwasher running perfectly again!

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On a Bosch dishwasher, the circulation motor and heating assembly is responsible for circulating water and heating it to the required temperature. Over time, this part may experience wear and tear or malfunction, leading to issues such as poor cleaning, insufficient water circulation, or failure to heat the water.

This repair is relatively quick and straightforward. By following these instructions, you can save both time and money by performing the repair yourself, without the need to call a professional technician. So let’s get started and bring your Bosch dishwasher back to working condition!

Watch here: How To: Bosch/Thermador/Gaggenau Circulation Motor & Heater Assembly 12008381

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
• 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

Disassembly

1. Open the dishwasher door and remove the two phillips screws that secure the dishwasher to the mounting brackets on the countertop or cabinet.
2. Place a towel and a plastic container under the shut-off valve at the sink to catch any water that may come out of the lines.
3. Using a 5/8 open-ended wrench, loosen and remove the water line connected to the shut-off valve.
4. Use a 5/16 inch nut driver to loosen the hose clamp securing the drain hose to the air gap or garbage disposal.
5. Once the clamp is loosened, remove the drain hose from the air gap or garbage disposal.
6. Carefully pull the dishwasher out and place it on its right side.
7. Locate the clamp that holds the circulation motor and heater assembly in place.
8. Use a screwdriver to open the band of the clamp and remove it.  
9. Place a towel over the control board under the motor to protect it.
10. Pull the old circulation motor and heater assembly out by pulling down on it.
11. Locate the retainer at the back of the assembly and release it.
12. Disconnect the wiring harness plugs by pressing down on the locking tab and pulling them apart.

Installation

1. Take the new circulation motor and heater assembly and place it in the dishwasher.
2. Connect the power connectors by pushing them onto the housing of the new assembly.
3. Install the retainer onto the bracket and secure the hose clamp.
4. Carefully lift the dishwasher upright and place it back under the countertop.
5. Manually thread the water line onto the shut-off valve and tighten it using the 5/8 open-ended wrench.
6. Connect the drain hose to the air gap or garbage disposal and tighten the clamp using the 5/16 inch nut driver.
7. Secure the dishwasher to the countertop by reinstalling the mounting brackets.
8. Close the dishwasher door. Turn on the water supply at the shut-off valve. Plug in the dishwasher.
9. Run a test cycle to check for any leaks or issues with the new circulation motor and heater assembly.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the circulation motor and heating assembly 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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