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

I fixed the problem by following the video and replacing the chopper. My Maytag MDB8959SBS3 Dishwasher originally used ball bearings in the upper dish rack assembly. Over time the plastic which holds the ball bearings hardened and then broke and the ball bearings and plastic pieces dropped inside the dishwasher. I was able to retrieve some of the ball bearings and plastic pieces but I didn't think I got all of them. I replaced the upper dish rack slides but about a week later the dishwasher developed a humming noise. I searched the internet for videos on how to clean the filter for my dishwasher when I came across this video for replacing the chopper. I read thru some of the stories and thought that the humming noise might be the chopper so I took a chance thinking that the chopper was either defective or had plastic and ball bearings covering it. It was no surprise that the chopper was clogged with plastic pieces and bearings. I don't know if the chopper was defective but I replaced it anyway since I had already taken it out. Works perfect now. Thanks for the instructional video. There were a few differences from the Whirlpool to the Maytag but it was close enough to guide me thru my repair. Major difference was: 1. No screw on the Maytag to loosen back pipe. Clips hold the pipe to the back of the dishwasher 2. Maytag had a filter which snaps on around the bottom which the Whirlpool in the video did not Otherwise, everything from the video was the same. I used the same tools as displayed in the video. The use of the 11/16 wrench was extremely helpful. I would have wasted hours trying to get the chopper back in. It was a breeze with the wrench. Again Thanks for taking the time to create and publish the instructional video. 

In the process of troubleshooting the problem and using the provided videos to do some general maintenance/cleaning, the broken chopper assembly was discovered. One end had snapped off and lodged into the tube that subsequently caused the reduction in water pressure. After removing the broken assembly and ordering a new one, installed the new one utilizing the very helpful video provided by appliancepartspros.com An outstanding and intelligent way to provide a valuable service for customers. Instead of waiting days or weeks and paying a repairman, I was able to get everything back up and running in three days and for $20 

My wife and I finally got so frustrated with our Whirlpool "Gold" leaving dishes dirty that we started to tear it apart (a last-ditch effort before replacing). I lifted out each layer of the DW carefully until I got down to the chopper. It had worn itself out to the point of self-destruction. The blade assembly was sideways and had cut into the metal screen. Therefore, no particles were being chopped and the whole thing was completely clogged. Fortunately it had simply disconnected from the impeller behind it and caused no other damage. I found this site and ordered my part - was at the house in two days - I installed it in a matter of minutes! It was a little tricky to get it in right - the screen fits in a groove and you have to be sure to get the fat end in the right place, while getting the chopper integrated with the impeller. But, overall it wasn't bad at all. And - it fixed our problem!!!! Process: remove racks, unscrew the bottom sprayer, undo the screws plastic pipe in back, carefully rotate clockwise to unlock the bottom piece, then remove all screws from bottom, lift out, remove next cover deeper down on the left. Chopper should be visible-simply pull out by hand. 

I want to thank those people who wrote their story about their dishwasher. My Kenmore dishwasher stopped cleaning the dishes and left a film on the dishes. Also the top shelf hardly had any water to it when the cycle stopped. My soap dispenser would not empty completely. The soap dispenser on the door would open ok, but at the end of the cycle there was still 1/3 of the soap left in the dispenser. I ordered the Chopper Assembly, replaced it and my dishwasher works like it did when it was new (its 13 yrs old). Also thank you for the very good video on how to replace the Chopper Assembly. I am a very happy customer! 

We just moved in to our new house and after washing the first load of dishes, we discovered the dishwasher wasn't cleaning (and soap wasn't emptying). I tried washing 'fewer dishes' on each of the settings, rendering the same results. I came to conclusion I needed new dishwasher. Then, I decided to 'Google' my issue. I then found a video on how to disassemble dishwasher and check the grinder. When I started taking the pieces apart, I found all kinds of nasty stuff in bottom, including soap, mold, etc... That's when I discovered that the chopper assembly was broken in pieces. I ordered the part, then upon arrival, I watched another video online on how to reassemble the dishwasher... Then... Whaaallaaa! I now have clean dishes!!! Who says women aren't resourceful!! 

Removed parts in the bottom of the tub until I got to the pump. The old chopper was obviously beaten up. I didn't know the screen was attached to the chopper until I got the new one. I cleaned everything on the way out including a bit of broken glass... Now it sounds good as new. Requires some smallish torx drivers. 

Looked at Dishwasher. Scratched head and armpit. Told wife I would fix, not repariman. Wife skeptical - shook head. Found schematic on web. Found YouTube video of guy repairing same DW model. Disassembled. Diagnosed problem. Chopper assembly welded in place by water scale -broke removing. Potty mouth. Ordered parts. Waited for parts. Washed dishes by hand. Wife doing ok. Parts arrived (in only a day or two!!! Fed Ex for 7 bucks!! Great deal). Put on nasty t-shirt, baggy shorts. Leaned over to fix DW. Showed butt crack. Wife rolled eyes, left room. Sweated, scraped knuckle, took break, made sandwich, checked out SportsCenter. Dropped screw down hole near the motor. Potty mouth. Wife shaking head. Jumped in car. Acquired Coke, bag of Funyuns. Harbor Freight Tools - acquired telescopic magnetic screw-go-getter-thingey (and other cool stuff I didn't need). Arrived home. Retrieved screw - magnetic thingey rocked!!! . Scrubbed disassembled area with Vinegar. Installed new chopper assembly and protector. Reassembled. Turned on DW. Purred like first car - cherry 1968 Camaro. Showed wife fixed dishwasher. Flexed biceps, stuck out chest, sucked in stomach - baggy shorts dropped to ankles. Wife laughed. (ok, kidding). Presented new silverware basket to wife. (Bottom of old one worn out - silverware would fall through). Obtained hug from wife. That night, dinner, hugs, kisses. Life is good. "Weekend Warrior - Kickin' Butt, Takin' Names" 

This grinder blade is located on the bottom of the dishwasher under the spray jets. So I removed the sprayer and the screen at the bottom of the wash area. The blade on the shaft just pills out. I installed the new one making sure it is seated in the groove. This was an easy job and the dishwasher is back to acceptable volume. 

Replaced Chopper Assembly. We could not hear the chopper grinding for a few weeks. Dishes were dirty. I watched the videos how to replace. They were good. My unit was a little different but not to much. There was one part the video said you had to remove but mine didn't have one. To install the new chopper you really don't snap it in just make sure its engaged into the center pin and onto the coupling. Note:. It will feel loose make sure the screen part is in the slot. One you put the cover back on it will be good. MAKE SURE YOU TURN OFF BREAKER OR UNPLUG BRFORE WORKING ON UNIT. Need TORX wrench for screws 

I replaced the chopper with new unit and also replaced the water tube to the overhead spray bar due to a failed check valve. The parts were a direct replacement and the repair took 30 minutes. The dish washer works like new!