MDB8949SAW1 Maytag Dishwasher - Instructions

Followed a video, pretty straightforward. Be sure to clean all the area. My husband used cotton swabs to clean all the gunk.

Turn off power to unit. Remove all screws from back side of door, releasing the front door panel. There is an electric ribbon connecting the touchpad to the control computer. The release is on the left side of the connection between the ribbon and the computer. Release ribbon, then remove screw in middle bottom of control pad, removing it from unit. On the back of the old touchpad find the 3 to 4 inch plastic box in the middle that removes from touchpad and attaches to new one (the screw that was last removed to release touchpad from unit was on that attachment). Using the middle screw, loosely attach the new touchpad to unit. Connect the electric ribbon to the control computer. Put front of door back in position and put screws back in. Turn power back on. Note: screws require (*) adapter.

I had a repair guide for my dishwasher which helped. First I removed the water distribution system inside the dishwasher and then removed the door panel. Next I removed the front bottom access panel. I placed a pan under the pump and hoses to catch water when I removed the outlet hose. Very important here! One must remove the pressure switch from the outlet port or else you can't get the pump clear of the washer tub. Next I removed the drain pump by releasing the catch and turning the pump counter clockwise. Now for one of the hard steps. I had to remove three pins which hold the pump assy to the wash tub. Two of them are out of sight so you have to weave you hand past all the hardware and "feel" for the back two. At this point the pump assy just lifts out. Remove the motor /pump by removing one bolt and turning it counter clockwise and withdrawing. I put the new one in. Don't forget to put the pump screen in as I missed this and had to redo the job. Reverse all the previous steps being careful to keep the motor guard out of the pump seal area. Use lots of silicon seal grease and check for leaks on first power up. It took me a couple of adjustments to get a leak-free seal.

Removed dishwasher from under the counter and took it to my shop. With the washer on its side, I removed the motor, then the impeller and seal. I then disassembled the motor and replaced the front bearing(purchased separately). This required an arbor press. I then reassembled the motor and installed the new seal and impeller. Reassembled in reverse order. Reinstalled under the counter and made conections. Checked for leaks and proper operation.

This was a fairly easy repair. It took me a little over an hour to complete. First I flipped the circuit breaker for the dishwasher; then I removed the dishwasher from the cabinet and disconnected the supply, and return lines. I removed both racks from dishwasher, the lower washer arm, and the plastic conduit that supplies water to the upper rack. I then turned the unit onto it's side, and pulled the three or so cables that went to the motor, along with the three plastic wedges that held the motor in place. I then pushed the old motor through, into the interior of the dishwasher. This required me to disconnect some additional components to get it to fit through the opening, including the large silver capacitor. I then compared the old motor to the new one, and transferred some of the parts from the old motor to the new one that weren't included with the new one. I then pushed the new motor through the opening. This required a second person, who replaced the plastic wedges, while I pushed on the motor. The cables, supply lines, drain lines, and components that wouldn't fit through the opening were then replaced; the interior of the dishwasher was also reassembled.

My husband pulled out the dishwasher and removed the faulty part and installed the new one. We found info on the parts source website to assist us. Dishwasher works great!!! Someone from the company we purchased it from had replaced it several years ago, and the seal at the bottom had leaked and the motor had siezed because of the water. We also discoved that the water line was severly kinked in 2 places, so we installed a flexable hose. Now my dishwasher is quiet, fills much faster and all this for a fraction of the price of a new appliance. Would recommend this website.

Remove two screws at top that fasten dishwasher to cabinet. Slide dishwasher out to expose the two links that attach the door to the springs. Fit the new links to the springs and door.

Pulled out dishwasher. Took out old screws. Unsnapped end of rack slid new wheel in and attached to side. Very Very easy. It was great to get the part so fast and take care of this repair ourselves.

I removed the dishwasher from under the cabinet. This is what took the most time. Before removing the dishwasher from under the cabinet I disconnected the drain cable to remove all the water from unit. After removing the dishwasher I tipped the unit on its left side. The motor/pump assembly is held in with one screw. After removing this screw the pump/motor assembly comes out with a 1/8 turn counter clock wise. The replacement pump/motor assembly was put back in in reverse order. After the pump/motor assembly was replaced I replaced the door balance cable kit on the right side of the unit. Next I tipped the unit on to its right side and replace the left balance cable kit. After this all that was left was to return the unit back under the cabinet and hook up the water supply line, the drain line, and the power.

New latch assembly improved door closure. However, door latch did not solve problem. There appears to be another problem.

Removed old gasket, cleaned track and replaced gasket-also quit using Cascade pellets and went back to using Cascade powder with a numerical "rating" of 6. The pellets of even 10 caused the washer to leak, obviously too much foam would not float the float to actuate the pump.

This kit comes with the link cords and the balance wheels. I only needed the cords. I undid the set screws under the counter edge and slid the Dishwasher out from under the counter. One of the links had a broken cord and the spring had snapped to the very back of the space and was a bit hard to find. I used the good side as a guide to see how to thread the cord correctly. I did not replace the wheels since they appeared to be in good shape and looked like they might be a bit more difficult to replace than just the cord. For a second I thought I had ordered the wrong part because the new cord's attachment point at the hinge did not look exactly like the originals but the new design worked just like the original. I did need one other person to help stretch the spring and hold the door in the best position so I could attach the cord to the hinge. It's working perfectly now and I saved the wheels in case I need them later.

The upper spinner was laying in the top washer basket. I went online but no help was avaiable. Went to store where we purchased dishwasher and they gave me part number to order but not online I had to call to order. Part arrived in about three days. I took two screws loose on the top of dishwasher removed broke retainer to put new retainer in but I drop it into dishwasher so you have to me very careful
so I tried to order just the retainer but is not sold by it self. Had to order whole new kit. Other than that it is easy dishwasher runs like a new one.

Replace motor/pump assembly

I removed the old gasket. Cleaned the surface under the old gasket and began pressing the new gasket into place. Make sure the gasket is pressed all the way in to properly seat it in the groove. Didn't use the tube of gasket sealer and it worked perfectly no leak,