MDB8969SDH2 Maytag Dishwasher - Instructions

A Mouse friend had seen fit to chew through the original drain line. I used my Model Number, and was able to order the correct part . It arrived the next day. The job itself is fairly straight forward. You will need to access the rear of the machine. This may include shutting off, and disconnecting the water supply line. (Adjustable wrench). Mine is under the sink, on the "Hot" side. You may also need to un-plug the unit. (recommended) . A pair of (Pliers) will be needed for the spring clamp.

I was constantly seeing small bits of food blocking the spray holes in the upper and lower wash arms. After a bit of troubleshooting, thanks to the included schematic, the only possible thing left which could introduce particles was the under-unit disposal unit. The dishwasher had to be fully disconnected, removed, and tipped-over to access the pump and motor.

After removing the entire pump and motor assembly, it was obvious what the problem was - the filter screen (which is not accessible normally) was totally destroyed. The motor had ripped the mesh screen up, and sent shards of sharp metal throughout the unit. What a terrible design - a non-user-accessible filter which requires disassembly of the entire product to clean.

I replaced the entire pump and motor assembly which was pretty simple. Just use a very small amount of dish soap to lube the rubber o-ring up to make it slide into place easy. Reconnect all the cables in the same place you removed them from.

If you don't mind using some stainless hose clamps, you could maybe get away with replacing a lesser expensive subassembly - but for me it wasn't worth the hassle.

Following a utube video made it easy. Removed the outer cover of the door to expose latch. Two screws remove the latch, pay attention to how it was positioned and put the new one on and then replace the panel. But first turn off the electricity to the unit at the fuse box.

Removed old gasket, cleaned track thoroughly, then followed instructions from video on Part Select order form. Instructions very clear and precise. Getting the new gasket was a little tedious at the corners but take your time and work the gasket with your fingers as shown on the video.

repair went smooth for the grommet. suggest a small of vasoline to ease installation of grommet

1) clear out the dishwasher
2) remove unit securing screws from top or sides of DW and cabinetry near the top or under the counter top
3) gently pull the dishwasher from the cabinetry about 20" is plenty, mind the connecting hoses and electrical connection
4) close the door! pull back the insulation from the area of the hinge and photograph both sides - this will save you the pain of going online
5) you will see the cord, the tensioning wheel assembly and the door balance spring on both sides
6) with the door closed to relieve tension on the cord, remove the cord from the balance spring - this can be done w/o tools at this point
7) remove the 5/16" screw from the plastic tensioning wheels and remove the tensioners, cord - leave the springs in place if not replacing them
8) install the door end of the cord to its hook on the hinge, install the new tensioning wheel assembly, install the old 5/16" self tapping screw through the lower wheel and into the outer hole in the frame
9) thread the cord from the door over the upper wheel and lower wheel. the lower wheel has cord retaining tabs to hold the cord on the assembly
10) hook the eye end of the cord to the balance spring and you are finished with the first side - repeat operations for the other side, reposition the insulation and slide the washer back in its cavity - do not forget to reinstall the stabilizing screws in the upper washer frame
11) you've done it!
12) have a cuppa and do your second washer that hasn't failed yet - it will soon.

I turned off the power to dishwasher first. Removed bottom plate to get to leveling legs. Lowered the legs as to be able to pull and skid dishwasher out from under counter.
Once dishwasher is removed from under locate the 4 screws on right side that hold racks remove them.
I would recommend replacing both skids on both side while you have the dishwasher pulled out.
Very easy to replace new rack slid once old rack removed.
The rack come assembled with skid and plastic holders.
This repair is a 10 minute repair per side.
Thanks Bob Seese

I did not relize that the drain hose was in two parts. Naturally I ordered the wrong half. So after I relized my mistake, I re-ordered the correct part. Once the correct part was received the repair was easy and went well.

Unplug dishwasher and slide it out from under cabinet. Remove old broken link (a heavy string between two plastic parts) and replace with new one. Slide dishwasher back and plug it in. Very easy and no tools required.

The old tine row came out easily and the new one was easy to pop into place. I was pleased that it was so easy to order a replacement part.

Remove 2 screws on lower baseplate. Remove 2 screws that hold dishwasher inside cabinet( may be attached to counter top or side cabinets). Turn off water supply to dishwasher. Remove any connections such as water supply, electrical connection, or waste water line that prevent dishwasher from being pulled out about 3/4 of the way. With the dishwasher door closed, remove broken parts and replace with new parts. Pull on spring to make final connection of nylon cable. Reverse the above instructions for re-installing the machine.

put new hose on, very easy.

Turn off breaker to dishwasher.
Remove lower basket.
Drain any water using a wet vac.
Remove bottom cover plate. Should be 2 plastic screws using flat head screwdriver.
Should be able to reach pump. Turn counter clockwise to remove.
Disconnect plug wire on pump.
Install new pump by turning clock wise.
Reattach wire plug.
Run a wash cycle with empty dishwasher and check for leaks.
Replace cover plate.
Done.

I removed and reinstalled the new gasket per the video instructions, but I found the corners to be much harder to install than indicated. I finally used a large, flat, dull screwdriver to carefully push the gasket all the way in, and used my fingers to feel whether the gasket was all the way in. I figured if the gasket wasn't all the way in, I would have a leak at the bottom of the door because the top of the gasket would stick out farther than the bottom, which is exactly what the original symptoms were. Perhaps I didn't need a new gasket? There was no visible damage. Pushing in the corners of the original gasket may have fixed it, but the new gasket worked perfectly! Thanks, Part Select!!

Not a difficult repair, but made more difficult than it should have been by KitchenAid's decision to attach the track from the outside,rather than the inside. Remove the top and bottom racks (top rack just lifts off its tracks). After turning off power, remove the trim panel below the door, then open the door and undo the screws holding the tabs at the top where the dw is attached to the underside of the countertop. Lower the adjustment legs at the bottom front with an adjustable or sized end wrench. Assuming enough slack in the supply and drain hoses and power supply line, just pull the dishwasher about halfway out which will give access to the bolts holding the track mounts. You'll have to pull back the insulation to access the bolts. Then with a nut driver or socket wrench remove the bolts, put the new track in place and bolt in. Actual replacement takes less than five minutes. All the prep work to get to the mounting bolts is most of the work. If you have to disconnect the hoses or power it's a bit more, but I didn't have to do that. I made the mistake of only ordering the one track that failed (outraged that I have to replace this after only 5 years or so and too cheap to buy both), but in retrospect, I can see that I should have bought both. The opposite side is not in great shape and will need to be replaced at some point.
Not a difficult repair-well within most people's skill level. But really KitchenAid - either design the track to last longer or make it easy to replace without pulling the dw out!