Is your Bosch dishwasher continually draining? What is the problem and what can be done to fix it?
The Problem: Anti-Flood Switch
In order to keep your dishwasher and kitchen from flooding, Bosch dishwashers are equipped with an anti-flood switch. This is a simple device that monitors the level of the water and if it gets too high in the bottom of the dishwasher, it will trigger the drain pump to start running.
The anti-flood switch could be clogged with debris or it may be faulty. In either case, it needs to be fixed because the drain pump may be running constantly dry and it could burn out the motor.
The Fix: Manually move the anti-plug switch up and down on the post. This is sometimes enough to loosen the switch so it works properly. If it is clogged with debris, it should be cleaned.
If the anti-flood switch continues to malfunction, it should be replaced.
Reasons Why Bosch Dishwasher Keeps Draining
Our dishwashers may be one of the more useful appliances we have around the home but when it isn’t working properly, it can be a frustrating experience. That includes when the dishwasher won’t stop draining. What can be done?
A dishwasher will continue draining beyond its cycle if there is flooding in the base of the dishwasher. This can trigger the anti-flood switch, causing the dishwasher to continually drain even though it isn’t necessary.
Of course, there are many different reasons why we may have a problem with the dishwasher continually draining. It could even be something as simple as a siphon effect taking place when the drain hose is lower than the water level. Go through this basic list to see if any address the issue you are having.
1. Inlet Valve: The inlet valve allows water to come into the dishwasher and it shuts off when water is not needed. If the inlet valve is stuck in the open position, the dishwasher may need to continually drain.
To fix this issue, you will have to replace the inlet valve. It is relatively easy to replace and inexpensive.
2. Float Switch: The float switch detects when there is too much water in the dishwasher to avoid flooding. If it is stuck in the up position, then the dishwasher will continually think it is full.
Often, the fix is to push the float switch down. You may also need to clean out the float switch if there is debris keeping it from moving up and down.
3. Clogged Filters: If the filters are clogged, the water will not be circulating properly. This can cause the dishwasher to drain continually.
Dishwasher filters should be cleaned on a periodic basis. Check your owner’s manual to see the location of and recommended cleaning schedule for these filters.
4. Drain Hose: If the drain hose is clogged or pinched, it will not allow water to drain from the dishwasher. It could be blocked completely or it may be draining slowly but in either case, it can cause the drain cycle to extend considerably.
If the drain hose is pinched, move the dishwasher so it is no longer pinched. If it is blocked, you may have to remove the drain hose and force water through it using a garden hose.
5. Door Latch: This is a common issue with an easy fix. The dishwasher door lock has a sensor and if it is not latched properly, the dishwasher may continue to drain. This is due to the next cycle not starting.
Pull on the door without engaging the latch to see if it opens. If it does, replace the door latch.
6. Faults: On many new dishwashers, there is a self-testing mode that is constantly running. If the dishwasher detects a problem, it will give you clues as to what is happening.
The faults are going to differ from one dishwasher to another. Some of them are letters and numbers you will see on the control panel while others will beep a certain number of beeps to let you know what is happening.
You will have to check the owner’s manual for your specific dishwasher to determine what those faults are trying to tell you. If you don’t have the owner’s manual, you can search for it online. Just make sure you are looking for the manual that is specific to your unit.
Before working on a dishwasher or any appliance, it is important to consider safety. Dishwashers are dangerous to work on if you don’t know how to handle these appliances properly.
Electrical Safety: The first thing to consider is electrical safety because this could easily be a deadly problem. Dishwashers, like any other electrical appliance, could shock or electrocute you if you are not careful.
It is always best to turn off the power before doing any work on an electrical appliance. There may be times when you need to test things and turn on the power, but extreme caution is suggested. Never become overly confident with what you are doing.
If you have access to the receptacle, you can simply unplug the dishwasher to turn off the power. Otherwise, you will have to turn the breaker off in the breaker panel that powers the dishwasher.
If you do turn off the breaker in the breaker panel, make sure that nobody has the chance to turn it back on unexpectedly.
Property Damage: Another issue to consider is the water in the dishwasher. If you are dealing with a dishwasher that continues draining, you likely have a water problem associated with it.
Turn the water to the dishwasher off before doing any work on it. It is also best to manually drain the dishwasher before moving it, as you could spill water and it could lead to damage or mold.
PPE: Finally, consider wearing the proper PPE while working on a dishwasher or any appliance. This would include safety glasses and gloves.
If you have a good pair of safety glasses, you will hardly notice they are on. It is much better to be a little inconvenienced by safety glasses and gloves than to deal with the consequences of not wearing the suggested PPE.
So far, we have given you a number of solutions that could assist in fixing a problem when the dishwasher keeps draining.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 28, 2023.
You may also have some issues that are specifically associated with certain models. In the list below, we cover those issues that are model specific and how to fix the problem.
Related Articles
Bosch Dishwasher Won’t Start, Stop, Drain, Etc.
Bosch Dishwasher Not Completing Full Cycle or Stops Mid-Cycle
Bosch Dishwasher Not Filling Correctly
Bosch Dishwasher Not Draining Properly
Bosch Dishwasher Not Working/Starting/Turning On
Bosch Dishwasher Not Opening Properly
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 28, 2023.
Bosch Dishwasher Door Won’t Close
Bosch Dishwasher Light Flashing
Bosch Dishwasher Noise Problem
Bosch Dishwasher Heating Problem
Bosch Dishwasher Beeping Troubleshooting
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 28, 2023.