How to replace the electronic control board on a GE dishwasher

The electronic control board is the brain of your GE dishwasher. It controls all of the dishwasher’s functions and cycles. Over time, this important part can fail, leading to issues like your dishwasher not starting, not cleaning properly, or displaying error codes. Replacing the electronic control board is an easy do-it-yourself repair that can get your GE dishwasher running again in no time. In this guide, you’ll learn how to diagnose and replace a faulty electronic control board in a GE dishwasher. With some basic tools, you can swap out the control board (WD21X24900C) and have your dishwasher functioning properly again.

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.

Materials and tools needed

Gather the following materials and tools before starting this repair:

• New electronic control board (WD21X24900C)
• Phillips screwdriver
• 5/16 inch nut driver
• 1/4 inch nut driver
• 5/8 inch wrench
• Needle nose pliers
• Small flathead screwdriver
• Towels

The electronic control board replacement part needs to match the make and model of your specific GE dishwasher. Refer to your owner’s manual or the tag on your dishwasher door to find the correct part number. Order the control board ahead of time to have it ready for this repair.

Safety precautions   

Safety should always be a priority when working on any appliance. Here are a few practical tips to help you stay safe:

• Turn off the power to the appliance by unplugging it or switching off the circuit breaker before starting any maintenance or repairs. This protects you from the risk of electric shock.
• Wear insulated gloves to shield your hands from sharp edges, pinching hazards, or debris.
• Work at a steady pace and take your time to avoid accidents or injuries.
• Make sure your workspace is well-lit so you can clearly see and access the parts you’re working on.
• Keep the area clear of clutter, and ensure children and pets stay out of the workspace.
• Never handle internal parts with wet hands. Check that both your hands and the work area are completely dry.
• Refer to your appliance’s user manual for any specific instructions or safety guidelines related to the part or repair.
• Handle parts gently to avoid damage to the appliance or potential injuries from applying too much force.
• Use safety glasses when dealing with chemicals, dust, or large debris to protect your eyes from harm.
• If the appliance was recently used, give it enough time to cool down before working on any heated components.
• Take photos or notes of wiring connections and terminals before disconnecting anything to make reassembly easier.
• Avoid touching exposed wires or terminals. If you must handle wires, use non-conductive tools or wear insulated gloves to minimize the risk of electrical shock.

Removing the dishwasher

1. With the power and water off, the next step is to pull the dishwasher out from the cabinet so you can access its internal components.
2. Start by detaching the water supply line from the hot water valve under the sink using a 5/8-inch wrench. Also disconnect the drain hose from the garbage disposal or drain pipe, using a 5/16 inch nut driver to loosen the clamp.
3. There will be some water spillage when the hoses are detached, so keep towels handy to soak it up. Set the hoses aside.
4. With the hoses disconnected, open the dishwasher door and remove the bottom rack. Then use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws that anchor the dishwasher to the cabinet. Lift on the door while pulling the dishwasher out.
5. Once it’s pulled out enough, grip the body frame and pull the entire dishwasher completely out from the cabinet. Lay it on its back on top of a towel or blanket.

Accessing the control board

1. With the dishwasher on its back, use a 5/16-inch nut driver to remove the screws from the access panel on the bottom. Lift off the panel.
2. Next, remove the junction box cover, which is held on by one screw. Disconnect the wiring harness connectors that run to the electronic control board.
3. Use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the screws securing the control board’s mounting tray. Carefully lower the tray, releasing the wire connectors on the control board.
4. Lift off the tray and electronic control board assembly. Set it on a towel and use a 1/4-inch nut driver again to detach the old control board from the tray.

Installing the new control board

Now you’re ready to install the replacement electronic control board.

1. First, position the new control board onto the mounting tray, lining it up properly. Insert and tighten the screw with a 1/4-inch nut driver to secure the board to the tray.
2. With the board attached, position the tray assembly back into the dishwasher. Reconnect all the wire harness connectors to the control board, pressing firmly to ensure proper connections.
3. Lift the tray and replace the mounting screws with the rubber washers using the 1/4-inch nut driver.
4. Replace the wiring harness connectors to the junction box and dishwasher’s control panel. Replace the junction box cover.
5. Finally, reposition the access panel on the dishwasher’s bottom and insert and tighten the screws with a 5/16-inch nut driver.

Reinstalling the dishwasher

With the new control board installed, you’re ready to reinstall the dishwasher under your counter.

1. Carefully lift and pivot the dishwasher back up onto its feet. Insert it partially into the cabinet opening.
2. Reach underneath and pull the drain hose and water supply line through the cabinet while pushing the dishwasher into its fully installed position.
3. Attach the drain hose to the garbage disposal or drain pipe, tightening the clamp with a 5/16-inch nut driver. Also, reconnect the water supply line to the hot water shut-off valve using a 5/8-inch wrench.
4. Open the dishwasher door, replace the bottom rack, and use a Phillips screwdriver to insert the screws that anchor the dishwasher to the cabinet.

More information

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.

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