Update from yesterday. Today is 8/26.
My Kenmore Dishwasher Ultra Wash 1998 Model 66515701891 won't drain. It has been in use infrequently for 6 years. Suddenly, now the water stays in the bottom. I opened it this morning to remove the cleaned dishes and noticed the water in the bottom. I emptied the dishes out, closed the door and turned it on again to see if it would drain. It makes a moaning noise that you would think was a cow in labor. It never did that before. It still did not drain. What could be wrong? Why won't it drain out and I know that noise is not good.

That was yesterday (8/25). I ran it today (8/26) with no dishes inside. Today it still won't drain, but the noise is different. Now it sounds like my garbage disposal - grinding something it is having a hard time with. Occasionally it lets out a high pitched alarm-like sound for jsut a second or two. I took the bottom cover off the front to take a look, but since all the noise is down there, I can't isolate it myself. What would cause it to make that grinding noise and at the same time not allow it to drain the water out?

** What would cause it to make that grinding noise and at the same time not allow it to drain the water out? **

Something (broken glass, bone, bread bag clip, etc., etc., etc.) in the pump possibly resulting in damage to part(s) of the pump.

** I took the bottom cover off the front to take a look **

The interior of the pump is usually accessed from inside the dishwasher NOT behind the access panel in the motor compartment (although that IS where you'd need to go to totally remove the pump from the dishwasher... if you wanted).


** Update from yesterday. **

If you want to follow-up, please post the additional comments are a *reply* to a previous message rather than starting a new message each time. That way all discussion on the same topic will be kept together in a single message thread so others can follow it from start to finish. TIA

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Kenmore+Dishwasher
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

I am sorry I have created confusion. Can one post be deleted?

The motor does run when the wash is on. In the troubleshooting guide of the manual, it states that if there is a grinding noise, it should stop when the object is ground up. How long should I let it do that? I am looking at a diagram on-line of the parts of my dishwasher. See link:
http://www3.sears.com/imaging/ImagePageJava.shtml?productTypeID=0130000&brandID=0582&modelDesc=UNDERCOUNTER%20DISHWASHER&modelNumber=66515701891&documentID=P0208121&documentTypeID=PLDM&documentClassCode=PM&titleType=PUMP%20AND%20MOTOR&titleID=00004&

It does have a chopper kit #19 so I thought I would have a look see, but I am having difficulty removing the screw #12 from the impeller #11.

That doesn't address the water not draining though. Whould it be worth a try to replace the check valve and then see if the grinding goes away by itself? Wouldn't the check valve be accessed from underneath?

** In the troubleshooting guide of the manual, it states that if there is a grinding noise, it should stop when the object is ground up. How long should I let it do that? **

I wouldn't let it do that at all. I'd look for the cause and remove it before any damage was done. JMO

** I am having difficulty removing the screw #12 from the impeller **

They can sometimes be difficult to remove with age. Some impeller screws are a left-hand thread, meaning they're be loosened the opposite way you would a jar lid. I'm afraid I do not know about the screw used on your particular model though. Sorry.

** That doesn't address the water not draining though. Would it be worth a try to replace the check valve and then see if the grinding goes away by itself? **

The check valve could be the cause of the draining problem but I doubt it has anything to do with any sounds you hear.

** Wouldn't the check valve be accessed from underneath? **

Yes.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Kenmore+Dishwasher
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~