How to replace heating element W10518394 on a Whirlpool dishwasher

Are your dishes coming out of the dishwasher not quite as warm and sparkling as you’d like? It might be due to a faulty heating element, a common issue in Whirlpool models. Don’t worry, fixing it is simpler than you think—and we have a handy how-to video just a scroll away to guide you through the process!

If your Whirlpool dishwasher isn’t heating your dishwater properly or is showing error codes related to the heating element, it may be time to replace the element.

This is a common issue that can occur in Whirlpool dishwashers, but it’s easy to fix with a replacement part.

If you need a replacement heating element W10518394, you can order one here. If you need any other parts for your Whirlpool dishwasher, enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com.

Let’s get started.

Watch here: How to replace Whirlpool Heating Element W10518394

What you need

• 5/16 inch wrench
• 3/4 inch wrench
• 5/8 inch wrench
• Screwdriver
• Possibly a 5/16 nut driver
• Towels
• Safety gloves
• Safety glasses

Read more: Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes Properly: Top 5 Reasons and Fixes

Safety precautions

Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind before you start any repairs:

• Shut off the water supply to prevent water leakage or flooding while disconnecting the water connections.
• 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 electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• 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 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.
• 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.

Read more: How to Install a Dishwasher

Installation steps

1. Turn off the dishwasher and disconnect it from the power source.
2. Turn off the dishwasher’s water supply.
3. Open the sink cabinets and remove the dishwasher drain line by following it to its connection point and removing the clamp. Use a 5/16-inch tool to loosen the clamp. Place towels around the water line and drain line to catch any water that may come out.
4. Disconnect the fill line. It’s usually connected to the hot water tap. Make sure the hot water tap is shut off, and then use a 5/8-inch wrench to disconnect the fill line.
5. Open the dishwasher door and find the two screws that attach the dishwasher to the cabinet. Remove these screws. It’s recommended to also remove the lower dish rack and silverware basket to prevent them from bouncing around.
6. Close the dishwasher door and carefully pull the dishwasher out of the cabinet.
7. Reach back and disconnect the hoses then open the dishwasher door.
8. Find the heating element and disconnect the two wires attached to it. Remove the nuts holding the element in place using a 3/4-inch wrench.
9. Lift out the old element from its brackets. Slide it forward to detach it from the mounting clips.
10. Place the new element into position and make sure it’s correctly aligned. Slide it backward into the mounting clips and pass the ends of the element through the tub.
11. Tighten the nuts to hold the new heating element in place. Use the 3/4-inch wrench to tighten them until they are snug.
12. Attach the wires back to the new heating element. Make sure the connections are tight and well-seated.
13. Slide the dishwasher back into the cabinet halfway. At this point, go underneath the sink and check that the hoses aren’t kinked or caught on anything. Then push the dishwasher back in the rest of the way.
14. Open the dishwasher door and reattach the screws that secure it to the cabinet.
15. Reinstall the lower dish rack, silverware basket, and any other parts that were removed.
16. Use the 5/8-inch wrench to attach the water line.
17. Reconnect the drain line to the air gap and tighten the clamp using a 5/16-inch nut driver or screwdriver.
18. Plug the dishwasher back in, turn on the water supply, and run a test cycle to make sure the repair was successful.

Read more: How Does a Dishwasher Work?

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the heating element on your 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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