Samsung DW80K5050US – Not dispensing detergent Repair Guide

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Model: Samsung DW80K5050US
Brand: Samsung
Model Number: DW80K5050US

🔍 Problem Description

Clean dispenser; check wax motor operation; verify timer signal

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Detergent dispenser wax motor
  • Control board

    • 🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

      🔧 Step 1: Clean detergent dispenser thoroughly

      1. Open the dishwasher door fully until it rests in the horizontal position.
      2. Locate the detergent dispenser on the inside of the door, positioned 8 inches from the bottom edge and 3 inches from the left hinge side.
      3. Press the release latch on the dispenser cover (a gray rectangular button measuring approximately 0.5 inches wide) and swing the cover fully open to expose the interior compartments.
      4. Remove any solidified or caked detergent from both the main wash compartment (the larger section on the right, approximately 2 inches wide) and the prewash compartment (the smaller section on the left, approximately 1 inch wide) using a plastic scraper or old credit card.
      5. Fill a small bowl with 2 cups of warm water (120-130°F) mixed with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar.
      6. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush into the vinegar solution and scrub all interior surfaces of both compartments, paying particular attention to the corners and bottom edges where residue accumulates.
      7. Locate the rinse aid dispenser cap on the right side of the detergent dispenser, identified by a circular dial marked with numbers 1-5. Turn the cap counterclockwise and lift straight up to remove.
      8. Use the same toothbrush dipped in vinegar solution to clean inside the rinse aid reservoir, scrubbing the walls and bottom in circular motions for 30 seconds.
      9. Wipe all cleaned areas with a microfiber cloth dampened with plain warm water to remove vinegar residue.
      10. Dry all compartments completely with a clean, dry microfiber cloth, ensuring no moisture remains in crevices.
      11. Reinstall the rinse aid cap by aligning it with the reservoir opening and turning clockwise until it stops (approximately one-quarter turn).
      12. Close the detergent dispenser cover until you hear a single click, indicating the latch has engaged properly.

      🛠️ Step 2: Test wax motor operation

      1. Locate the multimeter you set aside from Step 1 and set it to the ohms (Ω) setting at 200 ohms range.
      2. Find the wax motor connector, which is a white 2-pin plastic connector attached to two wires (one red, one black) extending from the cylindrical wax motor assembly mounted on the dispenser door mechanism.
      3. Grasp the connector body with your thumb and forefinger, press the locking tab on top with your other hand, and pull straight away from the wax motor to disconnect it.
      4. Touch the multimeter probes to the two metal terminals on the wax motor itself (not the connector wires) – polarity doesn’t matter for this resistance test.
      5. Read the multimeter display – you should see a reading between 1,500 and 2,000 ohms. If the reading shows “OL” (open line) or reads below 1,000 ohms, the wax motor has failed and requires replacement (part number DD82-01367A).
      6. Fill a small bowl with 2 cups of water heated to 140-150°F (use a cooking thermometer to verify temperature).
      7. Submerge only the cylindrical metal body of the wax motor into the hot water, keeping the electrical connector end above the waterline.
      8. Watch the plunger pin on the opposite end of the motor – within 60-90 seconds, you should see it extend outward approximately 3/16 inch (5mm).
      9. Remove the wax motor from the water and allow it to cool for 3-4 minutes at room temperature.
      10. Observe the plunger pin retracting back to its original position as the motor cools – this confirms the wax motor actuates properly.
      11. If the plunger fails to extend or retract, replace the wax motor with part number DD82-01367A.
      12. Reconnect the white 2-pin connector to the wax motor terminals until you hear an audible click indicating it has locked into place.

      ⚙️ Step 3: Verify timer or control board signal to dispenser

      1. Locate the main control board mounted on the inside of the door, approximately 2 inches from the top edge and centered horizontally behind the control panel.
      2. Identify the dispenser wiring harness—a white connector with 6 wires (typically white, black, red, blue, brown, and orange) plugged into the control board at connector CN3, located in the lower right quadrant of the board.
      3. Set your digital multimeter to DC voltage mode, 20V range.
      4. Insert a straight pin or T-pin into the back of the white wire terminal on the connector (this is the 12V power supply line) without disconnecting the harness. The pin should slide alongside the wire into the connector housing.
      5. Insert another pin into the black wire terminal (ground reference).
      6. Touch the multimeter’s red probe to the pin in the white wire terminal and the black probe to the pin in the black wire terminal.
      7. Start a wash cycle and advance to the point where the dispenser should open (typically 15-20 minutes into the main wash cycle).
      8. Watch the multimeter display—you should see 12V DC appear for 2-3 seconds when the dispenser is commanded to open.
      9. If voltage appears, the control board is sending the correct signal; your dispenser mechanism itself is faulty and needs replacement (part DD82-01323A).
      10. If no voltage appears, test the blue wire terminal (release solenoid signal) against black ground using the same pin-probe method during the dispenser release cycle.
      11. Record your voltage reading—anything below 10V DC indicates a failing control board (part DD82-01308A) that requires replacement.
      12. Remove the pins from the connector and proceed to Step 4 if the control board is functioning correctly, or replace the control board if voltage readings were incorrect.

      🔩 Step 4: Inspect dispenser mechanism

      1. Locate the detergent dispenser assembly on the inner door panel, positioned 8 inches from the top edge and 3 inches from the left side.
      2. Examine the white plastic dispenser door (part number DD82-01532A) by manually pressing the release lever – it should snap open with a distinct click and spring back when released.
      3. Insert your index finger into the rinse aid compartment and feel the black rubber gasket around the perimeter – run your finger completely around the 2-inch diameter opening checking for cracks, tears, or hardening.
      4. Check the detergent cup door spring mechanism by opening the door fully to 90 degrees and releasing it – the door should close completely within 1 second without sticking.
      5. Look at the bi-metal actuator assembly, a silver rectangular component measuring 1.5 inches long located on the right side of the dispenser housing – verify no white detergent residue or corrosion covers the metal surface.
      6. Use a 10mm socket wrench to remove the 2 screws securing the wax motor (the cylindrical component directly behind the dispenser door measuring 2 inches in diameter).
      7. Pull the wax motor straight out 1 inch from its housing – you’ll see a white plastic plunger extending from the motor’s front face.
      8. Push the plunger with your thumb – it should depress 3-4mm and spring back immediately when released. If it stays depressed or feels mushy, replace the wax motor (part number DD82-01360A).
      9. Inspect the grey wire harness connector attached to the wax motor’s back end – the 2-pin connector should have no green corrosion on the copper terminals visible inside.
      10. Check the dispenser door catch mechanism (small white plastic hook on the left side of the door opening) – it should not have any cracks and should move freely when pushed with your fingernail.

      đź“‹ Step 5: Replace wax motor or control board if faulty

      1. Locate the wax motor assembly on the right side of the dishwasher tub, approximately 8 inches down from the top edge and 3 inches from the right wall.
      2. Disconnect the two-wire white connector from the wax motor by pressing the release tab on top with your thumb while pulling the connector straight out.
      3. Use a T20 Torx bit to remove the two mounting screws securing the wax motor bracket to the door frame, positioned 2 inches apart vertically.
      4. Rotate the wax motor assembly counterclockwise 45 degrees to release it from the door latch mechanism.
      5. Pull the wax motor straight toward you to separate it from the actuator rod, which extends approximately 1.5 inches when engaged.
      6. Insert the new wax motor onto the actuator rod, aligning the rectangular slot on the motor with the flat edge of the rod.
      7. Rotate the new motor clockwise 45 degrees until the mounting holes align with the bracket holes.
      8. Install the two T20 Torx screws and tighten to finger-tight plus one-quarter turn.
      9. Connect the white two-wire connector until you hear an audible click.
      10. Open the dishwasher door and locate the control panel cover at the top of the door.
      11. Remove six Phillips #2 screws along the inner top edge of the door, spaced approximately 3 inches apart.
      12. Lift the control panel assembly upward and tilt it forward to rest on the open door.
      13. Identify the main control board, a green circuit board measuring 8×4 inches on the right side.
      14. Disconnect four wire harness connectors by squeezing the side tabs and pulling straight up: one 12-pin white connector, one 8-pin gray connector, one 6-pin black connector, and one 4-pin red connector.
      15. Remove three Phillips #2 screws securing the control board to the mounting bracket.
      16. Lift the control board straight up and out.
      17. Position the new control board onto the mounting bracket, aligning the three screw holes.
      18. Install the three Phillips #2 screws and tighten to finger-tight.
      19. Reconnect all four wire harnesses in reverse order until each clicks into place.
      20. Lower the control panel and reinstall the six Phillips #2 screws.

      đź›’ Recommended Products

      Here are the recommended products for this repair: