How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP5983779 / W10083957V Dishwasher Food Chopper

I did a little searching on the internet and found that the main problem was the food grinder screen gets plugged up. I watched a video showing how to take it apart ( I highly recommend watching) and was able to get to the part in about 2 minutes. I found the screen to be plugged but the grinder was also ruined from some broken glass that had gotten into it. I ordered the grinder and cover housing and installed them. Works like new again. Very easy repair. Watch the video and it will save you a lot of time. 

After cleaning out the disposer for the 6th time, decided I had not found the source of the issue. Looking more closely, some of the drive pins on the pump hand been worn off and would not fully engage disposer forks. This caused the disposer to intermittently work and eventually clog. I removed internal spray bar, down to get to the disposer assembly and removed this component. Powered off, detached water and sewer and removed entire dishwasher from cabinet. Placed dishwasher face down on a towel. Removed bolt on plastic shield which also attached to the pump. Rotated pump out, cleaned output screen and reassembled with new pump. Installed back in cabinet and installed disposer assembly to insure proper engaging of drive pins. Reassembled and powered up! Works great. This was pretty major surgery and not for the unskilled. 

After what feels like 100 years the heating element died. The replacement was super easy and I decided to replace the chopper and a worn out control panel. 

First I checked the chopper, and it was broken. So I removed it completely, but the whine was still there. So I pulled the circulation motor out and found parts of the chopper in the impeller. I hopefully re-installed motor, but it was still whining just as loudly. I should have bench-tested the motor (center 2 pins are 120VAC) before wasting time re-installing, as it is really loud on the bench. I guess the remnants of chopper messed up the motor. So bought a motor and chopper and all is good now. 15 year old washer. The videos from ApplianceParts Pros were super. My version did not have the rear bar to remove, but it did not matter. And the motor seal was different, but worked fine. Of course, the machines in the videos are dry and clean, unlike reality. So I shop-vac all the water out and put a lot of towels down. You need star bits to get the chopper out, beyond normal tools. 

The chopper gears were stripped because of several years of not running a cleaner cycle. 

I replaced the chopper assembly. I originally thought it was the pump. I took out and cleaned the chopper assembly at least 3 times thinking each time that this was a stop gap until I had to replace the pump (expensive fix). Each time I took it out and cleaned it, it looked perfectly functional and I did not assume that was the problem. The old rule of thumb is to replace the cheap parts before replacing the expensive parts. On a whim, I replaced the chopper assembly with absolutely no expectation that it would solve anything. Lo and behold months later the dishwasher is working perfectly. It was the chopper assembly all along. 

Took it apart and cleaned it. The chopper was destroyed by small glass shards from a broken cup ages ago. Picked pieces of it out of the motor, replaced the chopper, put it back together. good as new. I recommend getting a dentist kit with a tiny mirror and tweezers if you have to pick glass out of the motor, as its very small and at an angle. You can also turn the motor from the central hole water comes out of, for a better angle to access debris. 

Took out the old broken chopper, replaced with new improved chopper. The old one had only 2 blades the new one has 4. 

Don’t always assume the obvious or most expensive part is the answer. I jumped and ordered a new inlet valve and water level sensor. Did not correct problem. Started test cycle, opened door to check water level in bottom and water temperature - ok. Next I removed the water delivery tubes to the upper rack and checked for obstructions - none found. Took a step back and read some of the troubleshooting tips online at appliancepartpros.com. Tech support suggested that it may be low water pressure, and this led me to check the accumulator filter and the chopper assembly. The accumulator filter had a fair amount of scale buildup that I realized was mostly hardened detergent scale. I was able to clean the filter with hot water and a toothbrush. The real culprit was obvious when I opened the chopper assembly. The corroded chopper assembly fell out in pieces, and the chopper screen was totally blocked with food particles and scum. I replaced the chopper assembly and screen, following the online video, and ran test cycle with an upturned cup in upper rack. The detergent completely dissolved, and the cup in the upper rack was completely full of clean water. Finally, ran full load of dirty dishes and everything came out clean. 

At first, I thought it was a drain or drain pump issue from the previous load. Then I realized by web-chat that the water inlet valve was stuck in open position. Wasn't sure if I was going to have to replace the water inlet valve or solenoid. The valve assembly kit provided both and the soln. Very straightforward video of how to change the parts. Works great. Chopper assembly in sump was cleaned about every 6 months when the top rack stopped cleaning due to lower water pressure. Have looked for this before but hadn't found it until my search for this inlet valve kit.