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How Do I Know If My Circulation Pump Is Bad On My Dishwasher?

ByParves Hasan Hours Updated onMarch 3, 2023 Categories Dishwashers, Guides

A bad circulation pump can be a major cause of your dishwasher not working properly.

Here you may ask, “how do I know if my circulation pump is bad on my dishwasher.

A sound circulation pump is a must for the desired performance. So, you must be able to identify any problem with the pump.

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This article will answer your question as well as let you know the symptoms of a bad circulation pump and how to test it.

How Do I Know If My Circulation Pump Is Bad On My Dishwasher?

You can easily know about the problematic circulation pump by noticing some indications.

There are many signs that the drain pump in your dishwasher is not okay.

For instance, if the pump isn’t working right, the appliance might drain too slowly or not at all. 

How Do I Know If My Circulation Pump Is Bad On My Dishwasher

Also, water will leak onto the floor or stay in the compartment after the washing process is over.

Low humming or screeching sounds are also signs that the pump is bad.

Do a test of your pump motor if you see anything like these.

Symptoms Of A Bad Circulation Pump

Not Draining At All

Not Draining At All

If your dishwasher stops working during the drain cycle, this is the first and most obvious sign that the drain pump is broken. 

This is a big problem because the appliance can’t get rid of the greywater and keep washing your dishes.

Also, if the dishwasher continues to use dirty water, the dishes will become increasingly dirtier.

Therefore, you must inspect your drain pump to determine if it is the cause of your dishwasher’s inability to drain.

It Is Draining Too Slowly

The whole point of a drain pump is to help move water quickly out of the dishwasher so that gravity doesn’t have to do all the work. 

So, if your drain pump is in good working order, it should only take a few minutes to drain all of the water from your appliance.

If you notice that your dishwasher is taking too long to drain, that means the drain pump isn’t working as well as it should.

You don’t have to wait for the pump to break down before getting it checked out.

Water Standing After Wash Program Is Over

Water Standing After Wash Program Is Over

At the end of your chosen wash program, there shouldn’t be any water left in the dishwasher.

This is for the final phase of a wash cycle to drain any excess water by forcing it down the drain hose. 

A dishwasher with a broken drain pump, on the other hand, will leave water in the machine even when it shouldn’t. 

So, if you look in your dishwasher and see a puddle, you should check the drain pump and its electrical connections.

If there are no clogs and the drain pump is hooked up correctly, you’ll probably need to buy a new one.

Low Buzzing Sound

In addition to how well the appliance drains the water, you can also listen to weird sounds.

For example, if your dishwasher keeps making a low humming sound, this is another sign that something is wrong. The drain pump is making noise because something is stuck in it.

Squealing Noise

Squealing Noise

A very loud squealing noise coming from inside the dishwasher is another thing to listen for.

This problem is more likely to happen with older dishwashers that have been used for a long time because it means the bearings are worn out.

Your dishwasher drain pump, like many other parts of appliances, needs bearings so that the impeller can turn smoothly, even at high speeds.

So, if the bearings on your drain pump aren’t in good shape, it won’t work right.

When the bearings are broken or worn out, it is hard for the impeller to turn. But what’s more important is that it will also make the noise you’re hearing.

Leaking Water On The Floor

Last but not least, a bad drain pump can also cause water to leak out of the dishwasher and onto the floor.

That’s because water builds up in the dishwasher, but the pump doesn’t push it out through the drain hose.

as more water gets into the dishwasher, some of it will flow out of holes that lead to your kitchen floor.

How To Test A Bad  Dishwasher Circulation Pump

How To Test A Bad  Dishwasher Circulation Pump
  1. Perform an empty wash cycle to determine whether the drain pump is making an unusual noise. If you do not know where the dishwasher’s drain pump is, listen closely to the bottom of the appliance.
  2. Turn off the washing machine and open the door. You must gain access to the drain pump of your washing machine.
  3. Clean the interior and outside of the pump motor. If you have a clogged pump or a drainage problem, this can assist improve the situation. It can also assist you in determining whether there are any issues.
  4. If your pump motor is unclean, wipe it down with a disinfectant wipe. This can aid in obtaining accurate readings from your meter. If your engine passes inspection, it can also improve its performance.
  5. Examine the motor of the drain pump. This is not testing in the traditional sense, but it will help you diagnose the problem. If there are shattered bits or something wrong with the food, you already know it has gone bad.
  6. Clean out the pipes of the drain pump. This will prevent you from incorrectly identifying issues and also increase the performance of your washer. If your drain pump is functioning properly, cleaning out the piping will be the quickest approach to ensure that water flows freely.
  7. Utilize your volt millimeter to measure the resistance. A good drain pump motor will only provide resistance between 30 and 40 ohms. If it has more or less, it is undesirable.

If the test proves your circulation pump is bad, replace it as soon as possible.

FAQs About A Bad Circulation Pump On The Dishwasher

How Much Does It Cost To Change The Bad Circulation Pump In A Dishwasher?

If you need to replace the drain pump in your dishwasher, you can expect to pay between $150 and $350 on average.

 The exact price you’ll pay will depend on the brand and model of your dishwasher.

Some high-end models can have pumps that cost as much as $600.

What Does A Bad Circulation Pump Sound Like?

If you hear a grinding or droning sound during the wash or rinse cycle, it could mean that the bearings in the motor of the circulation pump have failed or are about to fail.

During this drain cycle, the water will be pushed through the drain hose, making a sucking sound, and the drain pump motor will make a low hum.

What Makes The Pump In A Dishwasher Stops Working?

If the circulation pump’s motor breaks, the dishwasher pump won’t work at all.

Sometimes the motor turns on, but the spray arms don’t get water pressure because the impeller or pump housing is broken.

The dishwasher could also leak if the pump housing or the seals wore out or got damaged.

Final Words

Now you know the answer to the question, “ how do I know if my circulation pump is bad on my dishwasher?”

Your dishwasher will show you the symptoms itself and you will have to take the necessary steps immediately.

Take the issue seriously to save your dishwasher from further havoc. Test your dishwasher regularly if it is possible 

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Parves Hasan

Chief Editor @My Kitchen Mates (or, in plain English, I'm the man responsible for ensuring that every guide post we publish is helpful for our readers.

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