How To Test A Dishwasher Drain Pump With An Ohmmeter?
Whenever we face any problem with the drain pump of our dishwasher, we want to test this. Many people ask, “how to test a dishwasher drain pump with an ohmmeter?”
Ohmmeter is an effective way to test your drain pumps condition. So, you must know the right process of it.
This article will help you with the answer to the question. Also, it will help you with the other necessary information about drain pump of the dishwasher.
How To Test A Dishwasher Drain Pump With An Ohmmeter?
It is possible that a faulty pump is the cause of your dishwashers inability to adequately drain water when it is not working properly.

The water is drained from the tub of the dishwasher and into the drainage line of the house by the pump.
There are two types of pumps that can be found in a dishwasher: electric and direct drive.
Direct drive pumps don’t have any wires because they get their power straight from the motor.
Electric pumps have a belt that connects them to the motor, and they have two wire connections that must be tested with an ohmmeter to ensure that the electrical current is flowing properly through the pump.
When testing a dishwasher pump with an ohmmeter, all that can be determined is whether or not the pump’s electrical system is functioning properly.
Step 1
Make sure that the power cord for the dishwasher machine is not plugged into the electrical socket by checking it.
Step 2
After the ohmmeter has been turned on, join the two probes by touching them together. Make sure the dial on the scale is set to zero.
Step 3
Determine the location of the two wires that attach to the side of the pump. Remove the wires from the pump terminals and set them aside.
When pulling on wires, you should always pull from the ends rather than the middle.
Step 4
Put a probe into contact with each of the terminals located on the pump. Take a look at the scale on the ohmmeter.
Depending on the make and type of your dishwasher, the value ought to be between 5 and 10 ohms. If the reading is 0 or infinity, this indicates that the pump has to be replaced.
How To Test A Dishwasher Drain Pump Manually

Remove Drain Pump Motor From The Dishwasher
In order to remove the drain pump motor from your dishwasher, you are going to need a couple of tools in addition to a voltmeter that can read resistance.
Only then will you be able to test your pump motor. We also highly recommend that you purchase a user’s manual so that you can double check that you are doing everything correctly.
Take your testing one step at a time by following these steps:
- To determine whether or not the drain pump is producing an unusual sound, you should conduct an empty wash cycle.
- If you are unsure of the location of the drain pump in your dishwasher, move your attention closer to the base of the appliance.
- Make sure your washer is turned off and then open the door.
- You are going to need to gain access to the drain pump that is located in your dishwasher.
- For instructions on how to remove the pump motor from your dishwasher, please see the owner’s manual for your appliance.
Access The Motor Pump

Accessing the pump in the majority of dishwashers will involve doing so through the sump located at the bottom of the dishwasher, close to where the small black wire barriers are located.
It is likely that in order to remove it, you will need to rotate it and then lift it upwards. In spite of this, it is wise to verify it twice.
Ensure That The Space Within And Around The Pump Motor Is Clean.
This might assist improve things for you if your pump is clogged or if you just have a problem with drainage in general.
Additionally, it might assist you in determining whether or not there are any. If the motor of your pump is soiled, you should clean it by wiping it down with an antiseptic wipe.
If you do this, then you should be able to receive a more accurate reading from your meter.
If your engine is in good condition to begin with, this can also help it operate more smoothly.
Check Out The Motor Of The Drain Pump.

Even while this isn’t exactly “testing” in the traditional sense, it will still assist you figure out what’s going on.
If there are pieces missing or something obviously wrong with it, then you already know it has gone bad before you even look at it.
Clean Out The Pipes That Are Connected To The Drain Pump.
This will prevent you from incorrectly identifying any issues and will also assist enhance the performance of your dishwasher.
If your drain pump is functioning properly, cleaning out the plumbing is going to be the quickest way to ensure that you receive the results you want.
Have A Look At The Resistance With Your Volt Multimeter

Only 30 to 40 ohms of resistance should be expected from a quality drain pump motor. It’s not good, regardless of whether it has more or less.
Symptoms Of Your Dishwasher Which Indicate That You Should Test Your Drain Pump
In order to test the motor of your drain pump, you will need to physically remove the drain pump from its housing, which is not something you want to do unless it is absolutely necessary.
Thankfully, there are a variety of alternative ways to determine whether or not the issue lies with the motor of the drain pump.
If you observe any of these problems, it is quite likely that you have a faulty pump:
The Water In Your Dishwasher Drains Quite Slowly

Despite the fact that this is not always a definitive sign, it is a good indicator that you may have a problem with the drain pump.
To verify this, run your dishwasher and look to see if any water collects in the lower part of the appliance.
If there is a significant pool of water in that area, the fault most likely lies with the pump motor.
Irritating Sound While Running
A high-pitched whining sound can be heard coming from your dishwasher while it is draining.
The whining sound is typically produced by a failing motor or a pump that is clogged with debris.
Showing Error Codes
The letter “DP” can be seen in your washer’s ongoing error code display.
The abbreviation “DP” stands for “drain pump,” which indicates that the display that shows this is quite confident that it is related to your drain pump in some way.
Strange Sounds

Strange sounds begin to occur whenever you are operating cycles that require the removal of water from the system.
Despite the fact that a high-pitched whine is the most typical sound that a pump motor will create, it is not always present.
When the drain isn’t working properly, certain motors will emit a loud buzzing sound that vibrates. Some people might make even more peculiar sounds.
Pool Of Water
There is a pool of water forming at the base of your dishwasher. When you open the door to the dishwasher machine, do you notice a pool of murky water at the bottom? It’s possible that the problem is with the pump’s motor.
FAQs about testing dishwasher drain pump
Can You Test The Motor Of A Drain Pump Yourself?
Most of the time, it shouldn’t be hard to test your drain pump motor.
As long as you have the right tools for the job, testing isn’t too hard.
This is good for people with basic to intermediate DIY skills, and it might save you money in the process.
The good news is that you can usually replace the motor of a drain pump on your own.
So, you can save money on a repairman if you don’t want to call one.
Most of the time, you don’t need to call one if the problem is with your pump motor.
What Should You Do If The Motor In Your Drain Pump Has Broken?
When a drain pump motor breaks, the only way to fix it is to replace it.
If yours broke, you will need to replace it with a drain motor pump that is made for your dishwasher’s make and model.
A dishwasher with a broken drain motor pump shouldn’t be used.
How Much Does A New Motor For A Drain Pump Cost?
How much a new motor for the drain pump will cost depends on the type of dishwasher you buy.
For a non-commercial unit, a full replacement of a drain pump motor will cost between $30 and $220 on average.
If you hire a professional to do it, you will also have to pay for the labor, which will cost on average between $50 and $120.
Can Coca-Cola Get Rid Of Clogs Of The Drain Pump?
If your dishwasher machine’s drains are clogged, you might be able to clear them with everyone’s favorite soda.
The soda is actually pretty acidic, but it isn’t strong enough to hurt your home’s pipes or the washer.
To use it, just pour it down the drain from a large two-litre bottle. Everything will be affected by the acidity.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the full process of how to test a drain pump with an ohmmeter. The process is pretty easy if you remain conscious.
We hope that our given information will help you effectively to do your test. Don’t forget to take necessary safety precaution.