Electrolux EIDW1805KS – Relay board failure Repair Guide

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Model: Electrolux EIDW1805KS
Brand: Electrolux
Model Number: EIDW1805KS

🔍 Problem Description

Test relay operation; check for burnt traces; replace relay board

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Relay board
  • Multimeter

    • 🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

      🔧 Step 1: Test relay operation with multimeter

      1. Unplug the dishwasher from the wall outlet or switch off the dedicated circuit breaker labeled for the dishwasher at your electrical panel.
      2. Remove the lower front access panel by unscrewing the 6 Phillips-head screws (#2 driver) along the bottom edge, spaced approximately 4 inches apart.
      3. Locate the relay on the control board assembly, positioned on the right side of the door frame, approximately 8 inches from the bottom hinge. The relay is a clear rectangular component measuring roughly 1 inch by 0.75 inches with 4 metal pins extending from the bottom.
      4. Grasp the relay body and pull straight up with firm, steady pressure to remove it from the socket on the control board. The relay will release after approximately 0.25 inches of upward force.
      5. Set your digital multimeter to the continuity testing mode (Ω symbol) or the lowest resistance setting (typically 200Ω).
      6. Touch the multimeter’s red probe to pin 1 (the leftmost pin when viewing the relay with pins facing down) and the black probe to pin 2 (second from left). You should read infinite resistance or “OL” (open line).
      7. Touch the red probe to pin 3 (second from right) and the black probe to pin 4 (rightmost pin). You should read 50-120 ohms of resistance.
      8. Connect a 9-volt battery to pins 3 and 4 by touching the positive terminal to pin 3 and negative to pin 4.
      9. While maintaining the battery connection, retest pins 1 and 2 with the multimeter. You should now read 0-5 ohms, indicating the relay contacts have closed.
      10. Remove the battery. The multimeter reading between pins 1 and 2 should return to infinite resistance.

      🛠️ Step 2: Inspect relay board for burnt traces

      1. Locate the relay board mounted on the right side of the dishwasher tub, approximately 8 inches down from the top edge and 3 inches from the front corner.
      2. Remove the single Phillips-head #2 screw securing the relay board cover (a white or gray plastic shield measuring roughly 3 x 4 inches).
      3. Lift the cover straight up and away to expose the green circuit board beneath, which contains multiple silver-colored relays and electronic components.
      4. Examine the board surface for darkened or blackened areas indicating burnt traces – these appear as thin copper lines (typically 1-2mm wide) running between components that have turned brown, black, or show bubbling of the green coating.
      5. Check specifically around the three large rectangular relays labeled K1, K2, and K3 (each measuring approximately 1 inch x 0.75 inches) as these are common failure points.
      6. Look for lifted or separated copper traces where the metallic pathway has physically separated from the board, appearing as gaps or breaks in otherwise continuous lines.
      7. Inspect all solder joints (shiny silver dots where component leads connect to the board) for cracking, discoloration, or signs of overheating – damaged joints appear dull gray or have dark halos around them.
      8. Examine the white wire connector block on the left edge of the board (containing 6 to 8 colored wires) for melted plastic, black discoloration, or deformed pins.
      9. Check the board’s underside by tilting it forward after noting which wires connect where – the solder side shows copper traces more clearly and may reveal damage not visible from the component side.
      10. Identify any burnt traces by their location relative to labeled components – note which relay (K1, K2, or K3) or capacitor (C1, C2) shows damage, as this indicates which circuit failed.

      ⚙️ Step 3: Check relay connections

      1. Locate the relay assembly on the left side of the dishwasher’s base, approximately 3 inches behind the toe kick panel and 2 inches up from the floor.
      2. Identify the three relays mounted to a white plastic bracket: the drain pump relay (leftmost), wash motor relay (center), and fill valve relay (rightmost).
      3. Examine the drain pump relay first – it’s a clear plastic cube measuring approximately 1 inch on each side with a 4-prong connector base featuring red, black, white, and blue wires.
      4. Grip the relay body firmly between your thumb and forefinger, then pull straight upward with 5-10 pounds of force to remove it from its socket.
      5. Inspect the four metal prongs on the relay bottom for any black discoloration, pitting, or corrosion – shiny copper-colored prongs indicate good condition.
      6. Check the socket terminals by shining a flashlight directly into each of the four holes – look for any carbon buildup (appears as black powder) or melted plastic.
      7. If terminals show corrosion, wrap 220-grit sandpaper around a flat-head screwdriver and gently rotate inside each socket hole 3-4 times to clean the contacts.
      8. Press the relay firmly back into its socket using 10-15 pounds of downward pressure until you hear a distinct click and the relay sits flush with the mounting bracket.
      9. Repeat steps 4-8 for the center wash motor relay (identical appearance) and the right fill valve relay (smaller, rectangular shape with 2 prongs).
      10. Tug upward on each reinstalled relay with 3-5 pounds of force to verify they’re fully seated – properly installed relays will not move.
      11. Inspect the wire harness connectors leading to the relay board for any loose connections by wiggling each connector – they should not move more than 1-2 millimeters in any direction.

      🔩 Step 4: Test relay board operation

      1. Set your multimeter to DC voltage mode at the 120V range and verify the meter is functioning by testing a known power source.
      2. Locate the relay board mounted on the right side wall of the dishwasher tub, approximately 8 inches down from the top edge and 3 inches from the front opening.
      3. Identify the white 6-pin connector on the relay board’s left side – this connector has wires in positions 1, 3, 4, and 6 (counting left to right), with positions 2 and 5 empty.
      4. Turn the circuit breaker back on to restore power to the dishwasher.
      5. Open the dishwasher door and press the START/CANCEL button for 3 seconds to initiate the diagnostic mode – you’ll hear a single beep indicating entry into test mode.
      6. Press the HEATED DRY button once, then press START – the relay board should emit an audible clicking sound as each relay activates in sequence.
      7. Touch the black multimeter probe to the exposed metal frame of the dishwasher for ground reference.
      8. Insert the red multimeter probe into the back of the white 6-pin connector at position 1 (far left wire, which is orange) – backprobe by sliding the probe alongside the wire into the connector housing without disconnecting it.
      9. The multimeter should display 0-2 volts when the relay is off, and 118-124 volts when the relay clicks on during the test cycle.
      10. Repeat the backprobing test on positions 3 (brown wire), 4 (yellow wire), and 6 (blue wire) – each should show the same voltage pattern as the relay cycles.
      11. Press START/CANCEL for 3 seconds to exit diagnostic mode.
      12. Turn off the circuit breaker to remove power.
      13. If any relay position failed to show voltage change or no clicking sounds occurred, the relay board (part number 154783301) requires replacement.

      📋 Step 5: Replace relay board if relays fail or traces are burnt

      1. Open the dishwasher door and locate the control panel at the top edge of the door opening.
      2. Remove the 6 Torx T20 screws securing the inner door panel – 3 screws along the left side edge, 3 along the right side edge, each positioned approximately 4 inches, 8 inches, and 12 inches from the bottom corner.
      3. Carefully lower the inner door panel forward to expose the relay board mounted on the back of the control assembly.
      4. Locate the relay board – a green circuit board measuring approximately 3×4 inches, positioned in the lower right corner of the control assembly, about 2 inches from the right edge and 3 inches from the bottom.
      5. Photograph the wire harness connections showing wire colors and connector positions for accurate reinstallation.
      6. Press the locking tabs on each of the 3 wire harness connectors and pull straight out – one 6-pin white connector at the top, one 4-pin black connector on the left side, and one 8-pin gray connector at the bottom.
      7. Remove the 2 Phillips-head #2 screws securing the relay board to the mounting bracket.
      8. Slide the relay board upward 1/4 inch to clear the lower mounting tabs, then pull straight out.
      9. Align the new relay board’s lower mounting tabs with the bracket slots and slide down until it clicks into position.
      10. Install the 2 Phillips-head screws and tighten until snug (approximately 8-10 inch-pounds) – do not overtighten the plastic mounting points.
      11. Reconnect the 3 wire harnesses in reverse order, pressing each connector firmly until you hear and feel a distinct click indicating full seating.
      12. Reposition the inner door panel and reinstall all 6 Torx screws, tightening in a cross pattern.
      13. Close the door and run a rinse cycle to verify all relays activate correctly and the dishwasher operates normally.

      🛒 Recommended Products

      Here are the recommended products for this repair: