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Customer Questions and Answers for Diverter Motor by Whirlpool

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Manufacturer Part
4.89 (64)
By: Whirlpool
Part Number: OEM16950825
Manufacturer Part Number: W10537869

The Diverter Motor is an OEM part for Whirlpool dishwashers controls the diverter valve, which directs water flow to various spray arms throughout the dishwasher during a wash cycle. By accurately adjusting the flow of water, the diverter motor ensures that dishes are thoroughly cleaned and rinsed by optimizing coverage and water intensity according to the cycle selected.

Causes of a bad Diverter Motor can include electrical failures, mechanical wear over time, or damage from water infiltration.  

Symptoms of a bad Diverter Motor include:

  • Dishes not being cleaned properly due to insufficient water reaching all areas.
  • Unusual noises coming from the dishwasher, which may indicate a struggling or stuck diverter motor.
  • Error codes displayed on the dishwasher that are related to water distribution functions.
  • Leakage from the dishwasher base 

This OEM Whirlpool part is also compatible with Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Norge, Roper and some Kenmore models.

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Questions & Answers

For Whirlpool Diverter Motor (Part Number: OEM16950825)

Rohan for Model Number KUDE48FXBL5

My dishwasher is now making a cyclical noise during the wash cycle. When I look underneath the dishwasher during the cycle, there's no leaks but the noise is louder. The dishwasher fills with water, the top rack dishes seem to be clean. I removed the spray arm and started the dishwasher, to see if the spray arm might be out of balance. The noise was still there. It is a clicking noise that is cyclical. I do not know if it is the diverter motor or the water inlet solenoid. At this point I am at a loss for direction. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Rohan

1 Answer

Hello Rohan, you would need to remove the kick plate and check if the noise is from the diverter motor, it should run a few seconds and stop in a position to send water to each spray arm for a minute or so then move to the next position if it is rotating constantly check if water has gotten into the diverter motor from the shaft. The other possibility is some hard piece of debris has gotten into the wash pump impeller area.

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1 Answer

Charley, If there was a leak then yes the grommet would need to be replaced but you will have to replace the sump housing for this.

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Steve for Model Number KTE204DSS1

Are you aware of the Diverter motor becoming intermittent in its operation? - Or what is its operation mode; continually rotating, or switches between the upper and lower arms every couple of minutes or so? I'm seeing poor cleaning in both baskets of the dishwasher (arm jets are not blocked), so curious if the diverter is not moving into the upper or lower arm position when needed. The diverter valve is rotating between upper and lower but not sure at the correct rate or timing. (Water pressure is good, no blockages anywhere, plenty of water in the tub. When I open the door quickly I can tell the upper arm or sometimes the lower arm has rotated. Could I check its operation if I cheat the system by turning off the water, lifting the float for appearance of water, and cheat the door. - Will I damage anything by running the washer 'dry'? - BTW how do you cheat the door lock?

1 Answer

Steve, as the upper and lower arms are rotating, the diverter motor would not be a cause of failure. If a rinse agent is being used and the dishwasher has been through cleaning cycles, the motor not supplying proper pressure through the wash arms would be a more likely failure.

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1 Answer

Kevin, Thanks for the question!!! It could be the diverter motor if it stop somewhere in the middle of moving, but there is also a good chance the washer motor W11032770 could have failed. The impeller could be sheared off or stripped.

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1 Answer

Crystal, Check to make sure that there is power getting to the motor of the unit. If there is power then check inside the pump to make sure that there is nothing clogging it that would make it not wash. For more information we will need to have the model number of your dishwasher.

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1 Answer

Joel, if the diverter does not have a very light coat of grease left to be able to transfer it over, plumbers grease should work well.

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1 Answer

Kirk, It would be suggested to test the diverter motor. This will be the most likely cause for the unit to not go from the upper to the lower spray arms.

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Tim for Model Number KITCHEN AID KDTE304DSSO

My dish washer has a dripping leak coming right out of the bottom of the diverter motor when running in a certain cycle, not constant. I have tipped machine back while it's running, and I can watch it. It does not leak with standing water. I see no other area with water leaking. After reading many of these questions and answers, I want to believe it's probably the seal in the sump that the diverter motor shaft goes through ?? Also I was wondering if the diverter motor itself has a potential to crack and leak?? I dont want to order both parts if I only need 1. Everything else seems to work fine. Machine is about 6 yrs old

1 Answer

Tim, This would be the diverter motor seal that is leaking in which you would need to replace the sump to get this. Normally when the diverter seal leaks there is also the issue of the diverter motor failing.

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1 Answer

Kirk, it would be recommended that the bottom spray arm W10859935 jets are inspected for any clogs. Checking to see if the spray arm will move freely by hand would be necessary as well. If it checks clear, the next step would be to ensure the diffuser WPW10476221 does not have any debris that could prevent it from rotating properly and that it is not stripped out where the diverter motor connects to it. The last check would be to place the unit into a diagnostic mode to test the diverter motor W10537869 for 120VAC. If it receives voltage but the lower spray arm does not get water through it, the motor has failed and would need to be replaced.

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