WDT720PADM2 Whirlpool Dishwasher - Instructions

First I identified the problem by checking the plug ends of the heater coil with an ohm meter. I quickly odered the part and when it arrived a few days later, I simply pulled off the electrical connectors, unscrewed the two bolts, removed the old/broken coil, put in the new coil and tightened down the nuts snuggly.
Nothing to it. I then had to reset the error code and it is working like new.

I removed the lower front panel of the dishwasher to expose wheels and opened door and removed two screws holding washer to cabinet. After raising leveling feet pulled washer out to expose bnotton ow dishwasher. Removed the electrical wires form the heating element and removed screw caps holding the heaqting element in place. Removed the old element and inserted the new, then reversed process to get it back together. It was very easy to do following the instructions I received when I ordered the part.

I simply had to hook up the power cord to the dishwasher so i could plug it into the outlet rather than direct wire the appliance. Everything went very smoothly. Everything needed for installation other than tools was provided. Easy to follow instructions if you know a little about electrical wiring.

Actually, I found a video on Youtube with excellent instructions once you got past the really simple stuff like disconnecting power and water and drain.
I would recommend just finding a fairly similar model on Youtube and follow their directions. It was really easy.

Remove dishwasher from under kitchen counter. Lay down washer on it's back using some towels or other soft material to protect floor. Disconnect plug from pump motor and to get to the hose clamp easily I had to remove diverter motor. Be careful and slide diverter motor out slowly as it needs to engage the disc when putting back together. This took most of the time since I had to orient the disc slot with the diverter motor shaft that has mating tongue that goes into slot. Install pump motor but use liquid dish soap as lubricant to get hose elbow and pump inlet to slide in mating parts. Be sure to lubricate with same on tang that fits into rubber slot. Tighten elbow hose clamp with proper pliers for job. Re-install diverter motor assembly. Inspect for any oops's and install washer back under counter. Hook back up to drain, water and electric power.

First I removed everything off of the bottom of the dishwasher. Then I removed the main center piece that everything mounts to. Then I reinstalled the new center piece with the help of some evoo cooking spray (extra virgin olive oil) I sprayed it on the rubber seal to aid in getting that center piece installed without a battle. Then I reinstalled everything else in the reverse order that I removed it. The evoo cooking spray works wonders for more than just cooking !!!

Did the repair, but needed one extra step not described in video:

I followed the directions on the PartSelect Youtube video - very helpful! I do believe the heating element was the original culprit, as it had a "burn" area about the size of a dime that caused it to almost break into two parts. Obviously a point of failure.

BUT - after replacement, it still did not solve the problem of the dishes not drying.

After much web searching, I tried the diagnostic mode on the dishwasher, and that did a hard reset of the logic board and FIXED the problem.

So in all, it required both a new heating element AND a hard reset via diagnostic mode.

thought it could be due to the overfill control switch,so ordered one and replaced one in the washer. However, it did not solve the problem. Having a repair company coming to look at the dishwasher. Tipped the washer on its back and switch was readily accessable. Only had to open plastic covering over the switch, disconnect the wires and install new switch and reconnect the wires.

Installed new pump from the front. Power off remove front cover reached my hand behind pump for release clip, push down turned counter clockwise pump comes out. Disconnected electrical plug attached plug to new pump. Put pump in at 45 degrees rotated clockwise until hear clip lock in . Tested then replaced cover

Replacement parts from factory installed using u tube support video


Also replaced stop ends for top rack by removing old clip in to push down and lined up to secure in slots at end of rack, notice new plastic parts are installed by pushing hardware into slots downward until they clip into place

I ended up looking on you tube for directions ,I ended up breaking the new part but it is made different then the original so it still hooked onto the rack and it stayed there. I had to watch the you tube video several times to figure it out , but I finally did get it figured out . I don't think any directions were included in the part package so not sure what I would have done if it weren't for you tube .

Put in both a new element and thermostat. Did not fix problem. Using an ohm meter I did not measure any voltage to the thermostat. Suspect it’s a problem in the control unit, and decided to replace dishwasher.

Only one friction sleeve was broken. So I pulled out the dishwasher to see how the one on the other side went on. It was very easy to replace and I replaced both. Unit works fine now.

Snap in the missing track stop and twist snap the middle spray arm. That simple.

Disconnected the damaged hose extension from the dishwasher outlet drain hose and the connection to the sink drain. Removed two clamps. One a spring clamp and the other a screw clamps. Connected the new extension hose with a spring clamp to the dishwasher outlet drain hose. Connected the other end to the sink drain with a screw clamp. Checked for leaks. Good to go!