Dishwasher making loud buzzing sound!

Z

Z100

Guest
Only bought the dishwasher - a Whirlpool ADP 4501/5 - last September but the other night it started buzzing loudly in the middle of a wash. We turned it off, waited a bit and turned it on again - it was fine. But the buzzing started again today, when we turned it back on it continued so we've left it off.

Has anyone had any similar (easily-fixed) problems with a dishwasher? We can't see any cutlery/food that might be causing a blockage.

Worst of all, we can't find the guarantee or receipt :eek:
 
Re: Washing machine making loud buzzing sound!

I would avoid using this until the problem is sorted. It could be something basic but it could be a fire hazard! Do you have any proof of purchase such as a credit/debit card slip or statement? That would be sufficient to chase up your refund or repair or replacement rights.

Why would you put cutlery/food in your washing machine!? :confused:
 
Re: Washing machine making loud buzzing sound!

ClubMan said:
Why would you put cutlery/food in your washing machine!? :confused:
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:D I thought you'd lost the plot, until I realised I wrote washing machine instead of dishwasher :eek: Mind you, we might have to use the washing machine for the cutlery now the dishwasher is out of action.

I didn't buy the dishwasher myself and have a sinking feeling it was paid for in cash.
 
It may be just resonating from vibration. Check that the machine is on level balanced surface.
 
runner said:
It may be just resonating from vibration. Check that the machine is on level balanced surface.
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Hi runner, it's definitely on a level surface, hasn't been moved at all since it was working perfectly. The buzzing sound is so loud I'm sure it's more than just vibration. And no, it's not a bee!

I emailed Whirlpool and they said they'd send someone out, but only if we can find the guarantee. Can't find the darn thing anywhere, which is entirely our fault - but it's hugely frustrating that a machine we bought in September is now beyond use. I'm guessing the cost of repairing it, if it's the motor or something equally serious, wouldn't be far off what we paid for it.

PS found three more similar complaints about buzzing Whirlpools when I googled!
 
Get them to check the date of manufacture. They sould be able to establish it from the serial number. This is not fool proof, but unless your machine was sitting on a shelf somewhere for a few months before you bought it they will be able to see that it was manufactured less than 12 months ago so it *must* still be within the warranty period. Many of these warranties have clauses that they only apply to the original purchaser and without a receipt or proof they might claim you weren't the original purchaser and so the warranty is void. Still . . . I would press them on it and ask them how they know you are not the original purchaser.

I know it's not a bee (someone beat me to it) but have you checked for chainsaws or other electrical equipment ?

Also, check to see whether the rotating arms still rotate freely. If something is blocking them they could be vibrating as they try to rotate but are blocked. This is a favourite trick of Mrs Zags - stick in something too tall and block the arm. When the dishes come out all the food is well and truly baked in having gone through the drying process without being washed in the first place.

z
 
Hiya Zag, and there was me wondering where I'd put my chainsaw :)

Thanks for that advice about the serial number etc, I've made a note of it so when I ring them I'll see if I can get any joy on that front.

A bit of an odd update: we just emptied the dishwasher (which was still full of water) and turned it on again - no buzzing!

:confused:

The arm had been rotating fine when the dishes, etc were in, and the cycle had started as normal with no buzzing. Don't understand it.

Also, having had a good listen again earlier, the buzzing doesn't seem to be coming from the motor or any mechancial part, it's sounds more like it's coming from where the programme buttons are, if you know what I mean.

We'll see if it completes this cycle, without the dishes, and try it again after that. God forbid we'd ever have to use a sink and tea-towel.
 
Could be a timer switching unit that is faulty - e.g. the one that controls the switching from one part of the wash cycle to another?
 
ClubMan said:
Could be a timer switching unit that is faulty - e.g. the one that controls the switching from one part of the wash cycle to another?
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That sounds like it could be it Clubman, as I said it doesn't seem to be a mechanical/motor problem (famous last words?). Will see how it goes today and if the buzzing starts again I'll get back to the Whirlpool people. Thanks all for the help.
 
We had a very similar rpoblem with our DW a couple of months ago (ours is a Bosch). Even though the buzzing seemed to be coming from the control panel, it turned out to be a problem with a small valve in the inlet pipe. The engineer told me it would have been perfectly safe to use, although we had turned ours off too.
 
Berlin said:
We had a very similar rpoblem with our DW a couple of months ago (ours is a Bosch). Even though the buzzing seemed to be coming from the control panel, it turned out to be a problem with a small valve in the inlet pipe. The engineer told me it would have been perfectly safe to use, although we had turned ours off too.
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Guten tag Berlin, very interesting. When I was googling this last night I found a woman in Canada with the same problem, and she was told the same, that it was most likely a problem with the water inlet pipe. Like your machine the buzzing definitely seems to be coming from the control panel, so sounds like it's the same problem??
 
ClubMan said:
Chatting online with a Canadian woman about your "water pipe". Hmmm....

;)
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:D I should clarify: I read her two year old cry for help on a website and the response she got. Any way, my pipework is the same as hers, and, for fear Yorky is reading, I'm not that way inclined. :D
 
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