How to replace Frigidaire/Electrolux dishwasher circulation motor 154853801

Is your Frigidaire or Electrolux dishwasher making strange noises or leaking water? The culprit could be a faulty circulation motor, but don’t worry—it’s a problem you can fix yourself in about an hour! Scroll down for our step-by-step guide and watch the embedded how-to video to have your dishwasher running smoothly again.

Need a part?  Search below using your appliance model number to find exactly what you need:

If your Frigidaire or Electrolux dishwasher is making loud noises, leaking from the bottom or isn’t circulating water properly, the issue likely lies with the circulation motor. This motor and impeller assembly circulate the water throughout the dishwasher during wash cycles.

Thankfully, this is an easy DIY repair that you can knock out in about an hour!

If you need a new circulation motor for your Frigidaire/Electrolux dishwasher, you can use your model number to find what you’re looking for at AppliancePartsPros.com. We also have thousands of free DIY troubleshooting and repair guides to help you fix your dishwasher yourself.

Watch the full repair here!

What you need

• New circulation motor (make sure it’s compatible with your model before installing)
• Phillips screwdriver
• 5/16-inch nut driver
• 1/2-inch wrench or pliers
• Torx T20 screwdriver
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench (to fit 5/8-inch)
• Towels
• Flashlight
• Container to hold small parts
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

Keep 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Read more: Dishwasher is Leaking Water: Top 6 Reasons and Fixes

How to replace the circulation motor

Follow these steps so you can swap out the circulation motor in your Frigidaire/Electrolux dishwasher.

Step 1: Prep the dishwasher

1. Turn off the dishwasher and unplug it from the electrical outlet to prevent any risk of electrocution. It’s also wise to turn off the dishwasher’s circuit breaker.
2. Shut off the hot water supply valve underneath the sink that feeds water to the dishwasher.
3. Place a towel underneath the dishwasher. When we disconnect the water lines, there will be some leakage.
4. Under the sink, disconnect the hot water supply line from the dishwasher’s water inlet valve. This is typically a braided stainless steel hose attached with a 5/8-inch nut. Use a 5/8-inch wrench or pliers to loosen the nut and disconnect the hot water supply line.
5. Disconnect the drain hose from the household plumbing. It usually connects directly to the garbage disposal.
6. Loosen the clamp and remove the hose.
7. Pull the dishwasher out from the cabinetry.

Read more: Leaving Dirty Dishes in the Dishwasher: How Long Can It Wait?

Step 2: Remove the old motor

1. Carefully lay the dishwasher on its back on a towel or a flat surface so you can access the underside.
2. Find the circulation motor that’s mounted to the sump housing.
3. Detach the two wiring harness connectors from the old motor by pressing the locking tabs.
4. Use a Torx T20 screwdriver to remove the two screws that hold the mounting bracket to the sump housing. Set these aside.
5. Wiggle and pry the old motor assembly to break it free from the o-ring seals. You can try twisting and rocking it back and forth to work it off.
6. Remove the two rubber o-rings on the motor and set them aside. These need to be transferred over to the new motor.
7. Clean the o-rings.

Read more: Surprising Things That Can & Can’t Go in the Dishwasher

Step 3: Install the new motor

1. Add a few drops of petroleum jelly to lube up the o-rings so they can easily slide into place.
2. Install the o-rings in the proper positions on the new motor. The larger o-ring fits in the lower channel and the smaller one fits in the upper channel.
3. Orient the new motor correctly and press it into the sump housing.
4. Rock it gently to seat it into the o-rings.
5. Reattach the two wiring harness connectors to the terminals on the new motor. Listen for the locking tabs to click into place.
6. Position the mounting over the new motor and replace the two Torx screws to secure it.

Read more: Reduce Water Usage In Your Dishwasher

Finish up

1. Slide the dishwasher back into place.
2. Pull the drain and water lines through.
3. Reconnect the drain hose to the household plumbing or garbage disposal.
4. Attach the water supply line to the inlet valve and tighten the 5/8-inch nut.
5. Turn the shut-off valve back on.
6. Replace any mounting screws that hold the dishwasher into the cabinetry.
7. Restore power and run a short test cycle on your dishwasher. Make sure it’s working well with the new part.

Read more: How to Clean a Dishwasher

More information

Thanks for reading! If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find more resources including our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in two business days.

You can also reach our award-winning customer service team at 1-877-477-7278, chat with a pro on our website, and watch thousands of free video tutorials on our YouTube channel. We can also help you troubleshoot common dishwasher problems here.

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