GE dishwashers are supposedly safe and dependable. But what happens when they stop working? Many technicians will encourage you to check the thermal fuse.
Does A GE Dishwasher Have A Thermal Fuse?
GE dishwashers do not have thermal fuses.
But you shouldn’t take it at face value. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you encounter a GE appliance with a thermal fuse.
Check the manual. It has most of the answers. The manual will tell you everything you need to know about the thermal fuse, what it does and where you can find it. But what if your manual doesn’t mention the thermal fuse?
This seems like a vital piece of information, which is why laypeople do not expect the manufacturer to ignore it. However, manuals do not necessarily explore every component of a dishwasher.
They will tell you what you need to know to operate the appliance. If the manufacturer decides that knowledge about the thermal fuse won’t help you, they will leave it out of the manual.
GE may also conclude that telling consumers about the thermal fuse will encourage them to tamper with it. And yet, the company wants you to consult a technician whenever you encounter trouble.
They don’t want you to disassemble the dishwasher because you will do more harm than good. However, if you reach out to the manufacturer, they will happily tell you whether or not your model has a fuse.
They will expect you to provide the serial number. If you can’t find the serial number, a picture of the dishwasher is probably sufficient. You can also post your question on online GE dishwasher forums. Other people with the same model will tell you whether or not the appliance has a thermal fuse.
They will also show you how to find it. But if you cannot find the thermal fuse and don’t even know whether the machine has one, don’t hesitate. Call an expert.
Where Is Thermal Fuse On GE Dishwasher?
Look at the control board casing. Pull the fuse forward after depressing the primary release tab. This will release it.
But again, this assumes that your GE dishwasher has a thermal fuse. If the model doesn’t have one, you may look for the fuse in vain. Don’t look for the thermal fuse unless you have confirmation from the manual, manufacturer, or other customers that the dishwasher has one.
Use Of Thermal Fuse GE Dishwasher
The thermal fuse responds to overheating. If the temperature exceeds a certain threshold, the thermal fuse will blow. This sounds like a bad thing, but actually, it is the best outcome because it shuts the dishwasher off before the excess temperature can do lasting damage.
How Do I Know If My GE Dishwasher Thermal Fuse Is Blown?
Test the health of a fuse using a multimeter. The process involves the following:
- If the dishwasher isn’t off already, you should turn it off. If the device is hardwired into the circuit for some reason, you can use the main breaker to turn the power off.
- Find the thermal fuse. Again, make sure the device has a thermal fuse. Otherwise, you may search in vain. Use the manual. It will tell you where to find it. More than likely, if you locate the control board, you will find the thermal fuse.
- Detach the wires connecting the thermal fuse to the control panel. This will allow you to remove it.
- Set the multimeter to Rx1 and place the probes on the contacts of the fuse. You are looking for continuity. Therefore, expect a reading as close to zero as possible.
- If you observe the wrong readings, start looking for a new thermal fuse.
How Do You Remove A Blown Thermal fuse And Reinstall New Fuse?
- Turn the power off. If the dishwasher uses a wall outlet, pull the plug out. If the appliance is hardwired, switch the main breaker off. Don’t tamper with the dishwasher when it has power. You may do serious harm to yourself.
- Find the control panel and remove the screws holding it in place. Some models will require the consumer to remove the panel entirely. In other cases, folding the panel forward is enough to access the fuse.
- The thermal fuse is typically found on the control board. Remove it by pressing the primary release tab. Pull the fuse forward and out to get it free.
- Inspect the thermal fuse. Don’t waste money on a new fuse when the old fuse still works.
- If the fuse is clearly dead, get the new fuse and install it under the locking tabs. Just do the opposite of what you did to get the old fuse out.
- Push the control panel door back into place and insert the screws. Tighten the screws firmly without going overboard. You don’t want to ruin the threads.
- Turn the power back on and start the dishwasher. Is it working? If it starts and runs as expected, the new thermal fuse is working. But if it won’t start, you probably made a mistake.
The people at Sears Parts Direct do not expect this task to exceed 30 minutes. It will only challenge laypeople that don’t know how to find the thermal fuse. Otherwise, if you can handle a screwdriver and know the thermal fuse’s location, this task is as straightforward as they come.
Thermal fuses are tricky. The dishwasher will stop working once they blow. However, a blown fuse is not the only factor preventing a dishwasher from working.
If you replace the thermal fuse, but the appliance refuses to start, don’t be so quick to assume that you wired the fuse poorly. More than likely, one or more of the following factors is at fault:
1). Power Supply Has The Problem
I want you to check the power supply. In fact, this should be your first consideration. After all, dishwashers require a stable power source. Therefore, if yours isn’t working, the power supply is probably the problem.
Is the circuit breaker on? Is the plug firm in the wall outlet? Have you looked at the power cord? Does it have breaks and tears? What about the outlet? Maybe the outlet is defective.
2). Door Is Open
You have to close the door for the dishwasher to operate. You cannot run this appliance when the door is open because the water will leak. Therefore, you should ensure that you close the door securely.
If the door won’t stay closed, the door latch has a problem. You have to troubleshoot the assembly to find the fault. But this is a complex undertaking that requires the layperson to remove the inner door panel.
3). Faulty Control Board
Before you remove the thermal fuse from the control board, take a second to inspect the control board. Keep in mind that the control board runs the dishwasher. Therefore, a fault on the control board can prevent the appliance from working.
Control boards are sensitive. As such, if they have a problem, your technician will most likely encourage you to replace the whole board just to be on the safe side.
4). You have Set The Timer
People don’t expect the timer to significantly influence the dishwasher’s operations. They don’t realize that the timer affects the power flow. In other words, if the timer malfunctions, it can prevent the dishwasher from receiving the voltage it requires to operate.
You need a technician to diagnose the timer. Laypeople have no idea what the timer looks like, let alone what it does, or how to find and repair it.
Basically, replacing the thermal fuse is the best most consumers can do. If the new fuse has failed to solve the problem, you should sit back and relax while a licensed professional troubleshoot the GE dishwasher.
Cost To Replace Thermal Fuse
These parts are relatively cheap. A thermal fuse will cost you less than $50. This assumes that you can find the thermal fuse. Don’t forget: most GE dishwashers do not have a thermal fuse.
Therefore, if yours has one, finding a replacement part may present a challenge.
The thermal fuses for the consumer’s particular model did not exist. You had to buy a complete module control, which was far more expensive.
If you cannot find a replacement fuse for your dishwasher, contact the manufacturer. Give them your serial number and ask them to send you the part you need. They will tell you whether or not they expect you to buy an entire control module.