Hotpoint BCI450 Dishwasher Failure

[_Ben_]

Hi,

Whilst mid-cycle our dishwasher decided to trip the ring main RCD and belch out a load of toxic fumes.

On closer inspection I've found that the wiring connector to the inline heating element to be totally melted... I've checked the following:

1. Resistance between load terminals of the heating element - there is continuity.
2. Resistance between either heating element load terminal and Earth - there is no continuity.
3. Resistance between melted dishwasher load wiring and Earth - there is no continuity.
4. General condition of the PCB - no burn marks or water damage.

Originally I figured it must have been the heating element that was at fault - however - I'm not so sure now given the above eletrical testing.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Also, I noticed on the underside of the PCB is a small push button and five (or so) LEDs - presuming this is some test feature of the PCB, can anyone shed any light on whether this will help identify whether it itself is faulty?

Thanks,
Ben.

 

[zipper]

I think you are confusing the panel card with the pcb.
The panel card is in the left hand side of the control panel...it has a micro-switch & 6 LED's

 

[_Ben_]

Hi,

If you look at the underside of the PCB you'll see four LEDs and a small surface mounted push button.

You can see the detail at the following website when you look at the other photos:

http://www.espares.co.uk/part/dishw...808/0/0/871108/dishwasher-timer---bit-10.html

Any ideas on what could have caused the connector block on the heater to melt?

Thanks,
Ben.

 

[zipper]

The micro-switch on the pcb is the on/off button!!! Right hand LED is the on/off indicator & one of the LH side LED's should be the low salt indicator. The rest are redundant. What caused the element connector/cables to melt??? A simple short..the big question is; has it damaged any pcb components

 

[GregWoods]

Blew RCD, nasty smell, diswasher didn't work.
Taking it apart, the heater element plast connector had melted causing a short. The heater element was OK though, so I cut away the burnt plastic on the element, cut off the burnt connector and crimped on 2 new insulated spade connectors. The rest of the wiring hadn't melted thankfully.
It all works.... except I now have a small leak somewhere which is causing the polystyrene float thing to switch on, putting the machine in emergency mode after a couple of cycles.

I just have to get hold of the very hard to find Oetiker 31.6mm hose clamps now.

As to the original cause of the fault. I suspect water getting on to the heater element connector, but cannot yet confirm this, or detect where it might come from.