Whirlpool dishwasher door cable WP99003446 replacement

Tired of your Whirlpool dishwasher door crashing down with a bang? A faulty door cable might be to blame, but don’t worry—it’s a simple fix that you can handle yourself. With our step-by-step guide and handy how-to video just below, you’ll have that door gliding smoothly in no time!

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Is your Whirlpool dishwasher door dropping open way too fast? You’re probably dealing with a broken door cable, part WP99003446. But don’t stress, replacing it is an easy fix. With just a screwdriver and a little time, you can get your door swinging smoothly again. Let’s walk through the process step by step.

WATCH: How to install door cable assembly

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.

Before you begin

Gather the following tools and supplies:

• New OEM door cable assembly (part #WP99003446) Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your model.
• Phillips head screwdriver
• 5/8 inch wrench
• 5/16 inch nut driver
• Towel
• Bucket (to catch water drainage)

Safety precautions   

Safety comes first when working on any appliance. Here are some practical tips to help keep you safe:

• Always turn off the power by unplugging the appliance or switching off the circuit breaker before starting. This protects you from the risk of electric shock.
• Wear insulated gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges, pinching hazards, or debris.
• Take your time and work at a steady pace 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 your area organized and free of clutter, and ensure children and pets are kept away from the workspace.
• Never handle internal parts with wet hands. Make sure both your hands and the work area are completely dry.
• Check your appliance’s user manual for specific instructions or safety guidelines related to your repair.
• Handle parts gently to prevent damaging the appliance or injuring yourself by using too much force.
• Wear safety glasses if you’re dealing with chemicals, dust, or large debris to protect your eyes.
• If the appliance was recently used, give it time to cool down before working on any heated components.
• Take photos or notes of wiring connections before disconnecting anything. This makes reassembly much easier.
• Avoid touching exposed wires or terminals. If you need to handle wires, use non-conductive tools or wear insulated gloves to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

Remove the dishwasher

Before you start any repair work on your appliance, make sure your appliance is unplugged from the power source or turned off at the circuit breakers. Also, make sure to turn off the water so there are no leaks. With the power and water turned off, we can now focus on sliding the dishwasher out for access:

1. Locate the water supply line under the sink and disconnect it using a 5/8 inch wrench. Have a towel ready to catch any water drips.
2. Disconnect the drain hose from the household plumbing (garbage disposal, air gap, etc). Again have a towel ready.
3. Open the dishwasher door and remove the screws anchoring the dishwasher underside to the countertop using a Phillips screwdriver.
4. Carefully pull the dishwasher forward several inches while opening the door wider for leverage. Take care not to pull too far and damage water/drain lines.

Replace the door cable assembly

With the dishwasher pulled forward, we can now replace the worn door cable:

1. Locate the insulation panel along the side of the dishwasher tub and fold it back out of the way.
2. Identify the door cable assembly. It runs from the door hinge down to the spring mechanism.
3. Press down on the spring mechanism and unhook the cable end, then slide the cable out from the roller guide.
4. Disconnect other end of the cable from door hinge and remove the old cable.
5. Thread new OEM replacement door cable following the same path: connect to hinge, run through roller guide, and attach to spring.
6. Restore insulation panel back into place.

Reinstall the dishwasher

Almost done! Just need to secure the the dishwasher back in place:

1. Push the dishwasher back into the cabinet carefully, aligning the underside with the countertop hole pattern.
2. Replace Phillips screws through the dishwasher frame and into the countertop to anchor in place.
3. Reconnect drain hose to plumbing using 5/16 inch nut driver on hose clamp.
4. Reconnect water supply line using 5/8 inch wrench.
5. Open the door and verify proper operation of newly installed door cable.

Power up and confirm repair

Final steps to complete the repair:

1. Turn the water supply back on and check for leaks.
2. Restore power to the dishwasher.
3. Run a test cycle and verify door is opening/closing properly.
4. Dry any water drips underneath and clean up your work area.

With the new door cable assembly installed, your Whirlpool, KitchenAid or Maytag dishwasher should function like new again! Taking a little time to replace this inexpensive part can save you hundreds on a costly appliance repair bill.

More Information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the door cable assembly in your Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Maytag 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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