Whirlpool dishwasher pump and motor W10815709 replacement

Is your dishwasher turning dinnertime cleanup into a noisy, ineffective chore? If your Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag dishwasher is making sounds but leaving your dishes less than sparkling, the culprit could be a faulty circulation pump and motor. Discover how you can tackle this common issue with ease, using our step-by-step guide and handy how-to video just below to bring your dishwasher back to full strength.

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

Is your Whirlpool dishwasher making noise but not spraying water? Or maybe your dishes just aren’t getting clean no matter what cycle you use? The circulation pump and motor, part number W10815709, could be to blame. Good news: with a little time and a few tools, you can swap it out yourself. Let’s go through the steps to replace it and bring your dishwasher back to life.

WATCH: How to replace circulation pump and motor 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.

How the circulation pump & motor works

The circulation pump and motor assembly is mounted underneath the dishwasher tub. This pump circulates water throughout the wash and rinse cycles to remove soil from the dishes. The circulation pump works in tandem with the dishwasher motor, draining out dirty water while bringing in fresh water to continue the cleaning process.

Over time, normal wear and tear can cause the circulation pump to fail. Bearings wear out, impellers break and seals fail. Replacing a failing or failed circulation pump and motor restores cleaning performance to your Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag dishwasher.

Materials needed

Gather the following tools and supplies before beginning this repair:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• 5/16-inch nut driver
• Needle nose pliers
• Side cutters

• Container to catch water
• Towels
• Replacement circulation pump & motor assembly part #W10815709 (Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to look up the correct part for your model)

Safety first!

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 old circulation pump & motor

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.  

Uninstall dishwasher from under counter

1. Remove side access panels: Use a flat-blade screwdriver to pry off the side access panels secured with retainer clips. This exposes the mounting screws.
2. Disconnect water and drain lines: Use pliers to disconnect the water fill line from the water inlet valve. Release the drain hose from the sink drain or garbage disposal by loosening the hose clamp with a 5/16-inch nut driver.
3. Release mounting screws: Take out the mounting screws anchoring the dishwasher to the underside of the countertop with a Phillips screwdriver. There may be two brackets along the top or side flanges.
4. Pull out dishwasher: With the screws, water, and drain lines detached, carefully pull the dishwasher away from the cabinet opening to access the circulation pump and motor underneath.

Detach circulation pump & motor

1. Cut existing hose clamp: Use side cutters to cut off the metal hose clamp band securing the circulation pump outlet hose to the circulation pump. You’ll need to replace this clamp.
2. Disconnect the electrical plug: Release the wiring harness plug by compressing the connector’s release tabs and pulling it apart.
3. Remove circulation pump: Rotate the pump to break the seal and carefully maneuver the pump assembly to detach it from the mounting grommet and outlet port. Have towels ready to catch any residual water still inside the pump.
4. Save grommet for new pump: The rubber grommet should remain in the dishwasher circulation outlet port. Slide the old grommet off the rear of the failed circulation pump to transfer to the new replacement pump later.

Install the new circulation pump & motor

Follow these instructions to properly install the new circulation pump and motor assembly:

1. Install old grommet: First slide the rubber grommet removed from the old failed pump onto the rear of the new circulation pump. This seals the pump when you mount it.
2. Apply lubricant to seals: Rub a small amount of liquid dish soap, petroleum jelly or other lubricant on the pump grommet and the outlet port grommet inside the dishwasher to help the seals slide back into place easier.
3. Connect electrical plug: Align the terminals and firmly push the pump’s electrical wiring harness plug onto the motor’s connector. Listen for a click as the release tabs engage.
4. Attach circulation outlet hose: Slide the circulation hose outlet over the pump discharge nipple while simultaneously inserting the grommet end of the pump down into the mating outlet port grommet seal inside the dishwasher tub.
5. Secure hose clamp: Tighten the screw on the new narrow band hose clamp over the hose and outlet nipple interface. Make sure the clamp lines up with the existing groove around the circumference of the hose.
6. Inspect for leaks: Temporarily restore power and run a quick rinse cycle. Check underneath for any drips or leaks coming from the circulation pump or the hose connections. Tighten clamps or reseat hoses if necessary before proceeding.

Reinstall the dishwasher

Follow these final steps to complete the repair by replacing your Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag dishwasher back under the counter:

1. Replace access panels: Slide the dishwasher back into position under the counter inside the opening. Replace any zip-tied hoses or wires back into position. Reattach the side access panels by pressing back onto their retaining clips with a firm push.
2. Reconnect water and drain: Thread the water fill line back onto the inlet valve and tighten by hand or with pliers. Slide the drain hose onto the air gap, sink drain, or garbage disposal, and tighten the hose clamp with a 5/16-inch nut driver.
3. Secure mounting screws: Anchor the dishwasher back under the countertop or to the cabinet sides with the original long mounting screws and a Phillips screwdriver.
4. Restore power and water: Turn the hot water supply back on plug the dishwasher electrical cord back into the outlet and turn the breaker back on.
5. Test operation: Run a normal wash cycle and inspect for leaks or abnormal noises coming from the newly installed circulation pump and motor. If all checks out, the repair is complete!

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the circulation pump and motor 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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