polarity issues

Trying to decipher what you are doing. What type of device are you using to check for power - a proximity tester or a test light with two leads? Why did you decide to replace the wire? Was the old dishwasher not getting power before?

dishwasher worked fine onlt couple years old. using a two wire neon light. my thoughts only the hot wire should light up when tested, but like i said before, under a load, both light.

Where are you placing the leads when checking for power, both under load and "bare"?

The neon tester senses the voltage BETWEEN two connections.

Properly wired it should be "fully lit" when connected between Hot and Neutral and Hot and Ground.

It should be fully off when connected from Neutral to Ground.

To see what "fully lit" looks like connect to a working receptacle and you will see both 'rods' bright.

The neon bulb takes very, very little current and if you an an open wire you migth see a little flick or much reduces brightness.