Bosch SHEM63W55N (300 Series) – Not draining Repair Guide

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Model: Bosch SHEM63W55N (300 Series)
Brand: Bosch
Model Number: SHEM63W55N

🔍 Problem Description

Clean filter; check drain pump for blockage; test pump operation

📋 What You’ll Need

  • Drain pump
  • Cleaning tools

    • 🔧 Step-by-Step Repair Instructions

      🔧 Step 1: Remove and clean filter assembly

      1. Open the dishwasher door completely until it’s horizontal.
      2. Pull out the lower dish rack entirely and set it aside on your counter or floor.
      3. Look at the bottom center of the dishwasher tub – you’ll see a circular filter assembly approximately 5 inches in diameter with a cylindrical mesh screen protruding upward about 3 inches.
      4. Identify the outer cylindrical filter (the fine mesh screen) and the inner cylindrical microfilter with a handle or grip area at the top.
      5. Grasp the microfilter (the inner cylinder) at the top ridged section and turn it counterclockwise approximately 90 degrees (one-quarter turn) until it unlocks.
      6. Lift the microfilter straight up and out – it will rise approximately 4 inches before coming free.
      7. Grasp the outer cylindrical filter and lift it straight up without turning – it simply lifts out with no twisting required.
      8. Locate the flat circular filter plate beneath where the cylinders sat – this is approximately 4 inches in diameter with a center hole.
      9. Lift the flat filter plate straight up to remove it.
      10. Hold each filter piece under warm running water (120-140°F) from your sink faucet.
      11. Use a soft-bristled nylon brush (like a dish brush or old toothbrush) to scrub away food particles, grease, and mineral deposits from both inside and outside all mesh surfaces.
      12. For the microfilter screen, brush along the vertical grooves moving from top to bottom, rotating the filter as you work around its circumference.
      13. Inspect each filter piece under good lighting – all mesh openings should be clear with no visible debris blocking the holes.
      14. Shake excess water from each component.

      🛠️ Step 2: Check drain pump for blockages

      1. Open the dishwasher door and remove the bottom dish rack by pulling it straight out toward you.
      2. Remove the lower spray arm by gripping it firmly and turning counterclockwise 90 degrees, then lift it straight up and out.
      3. Unscrew the filter assembly in the center of the dishwasher floor by turning the cylindrical filter counterclockwise until it releases, then lift out both the fine mesh filter and the coarse filter beneath it.
      4. Locate the drain pump cover, a white circular plastic cap approximately 4 inches in diameter, positioned directly beneath where the filter assembly was seated.
      5. Turn the drain pump cover counterclockwise 1/4 turn (90 degrees) until the arrows align, then lift it straight up to remove it.
      6. Place a shallow bowl or several towels around the opening to catch residual water (typically 1-2 cups will drain out).
      7. Insert your fingers into the drain pump chamber and feel along the bottom and sides for debris, including glass shards, food particles, bones, toothpicks, or small utensils.
      8. Remove any objects you find and set them aside.
      9. Locate the white plastic impeller at the bottom of the chamber—it looks like a small propeller with 3-4 curved blades.
      10. Rotate the impeller clockwise and counterclockwise with your finger to verify it spins freely without grinding or resistance—it should rotate smoothly through a full 360-degree range.
      11. If the impeller binds or clicks, look for string, hair, or small debris wrapped around the shaft and remove it completely.
      12. Wipe the inside of the pump chamber with a damp cloth to remove any slimy residue.
      13. Reinstall the drain pump cover by aligning the arrows, pressing down firmly, and turning clockwise 1/4 turn until it locks into place—you’ll feel it seat securely.

      ⚙️ Step 3: Test drain pump operation

      1. Locate the drain pump at the bottom center of the dishwasher tub, directly beneath where the spray arm sits—you’ll see a black cylindrical motor housing approximately 4 inches in diameter with two wire connectors on top.
      2. Identify the two wire connectors on the pump motor: one white rectangular connector with 2 wires (power supply) and one smaller black connector with 2 wires (return signal).
      3. Press the tab on the white rectangular connector and pull straight up to disconnect it from the pump terminals.
      4. Set your multimeter to the ohms (Ω) setting at 200 ohms range.
      5. Touch the multimeter probes to the two metal terminals on the pump motor where you just removed the white connector—polarity doesn’t matter for this resistance test.
      6. Read the display: you should see between 180-220 ohms. If you see “OL” (open line) or “1” (infinity), the pump motor winding is broken and the pump needs replacement (part number 00611332).
      7. Reconnect the white wire connector to the pump terminals—push down until you hear a click.
      8. Move the multimeter setting to AC voltage at 200V range.
      9. Turn the dishwasher circuit breaker back on at your electrical panel.
      10. Start a normal wash cycle using the dishwasher control panel.
      11. Wait 45-60 seconds for the dishwasher to fill with water, then press Cancel/Drain.
      12. Carefully backprobe the white wire connector on the pump using the multimeter probes—insert the red probe into the back of the connector alongside the wire (don’t disconnect it) to touch the terminal.
      13. You should read 120V AC (±10V) while the drain cycle runs. If voltage is present but the pump doesn’t run, replace the pump. If no voltage appears, the problem is in the control board or wiring harness.
      14. Press Cancel to stop the cycle once testing is complete.

      🔩 Step 4: Inspect drain hose for kinks or clogs

      1. Locate the drain hose connection point at the dishwasher’s right rear corner, approximately 4 inches from the floor and 2 inches from the right side panel.
      2. Trace the corrugated gray drain hose from the dishwasher pump outlet to where it connects under your sink cabinet, typically 24-36 inches away.
      3. Run your hand along the entire length of the hose, feeling for any compressed or bent sections where the diameter feels narrower than the normal 3/4-inch width.
      4. Check specifically at three common kink locations: where the hose exits the dishwasher base, where it passes through any cabinet wall openings, and where it connects to the sink drain or garbage disposal.
      5. If you find a kinked section, grasp the hose on both sides of the kink and gently straighten it by pulling the hose taut, then flex it back and forth 3-4 times to restore its circular shape.
      6. Disconnect the hose from the disposal or drain tailpiece by loosening the metal hose clamp with a 5/16-inch nut driver, turning counterclockwise 4-5 full rotations.
      7. Pull the hose end downward into a bucket or large bowl positioned below to catch residual water (expect 1-2 cups).
      8. Look inside the hose opening with a flashlight—the interior should appear clear with visible ribbed texture throughout.
      9. If you see debris or standing water inside, insert a drain snake or straightened wire coat hanger into the hose opening and push through the entire length until it exits the other end.
      10. Flush the hose by running water from a sink faucet through it into your bucket—water should flow freely without pooling or backing up.
      11. Reconnect the hose to the disposal or drain tailpiece, positioning the hose clamp 1/2 inch from the hose end, and tighten the screw until snug (approximately 3-4 full clockwise turns with the nut driver).
      12. Verify the hose now maintains a gradual upward slope with no low points where water could collect.

      đź“‹ Step 5: Replace drain pump if not operating properly

      1. Locate the drain pump at the bottom center of the dishwasher tub, directly beneath the filter assembly you removed in previous steps.
      2. Disconnect the wire harness from the drain pump by pressing the tab on the connector (located on the right side of the pump motor) and pulling straight away from the pump body.
      3. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the hose clamp on the drain hose where it connects to the pump outlet (the top connection point). Turn the screw on the clamp counterclockwise 3-4 full rotations.
      4. Pull the ribbed drain hose straight off the pump outlet. Tilt the hose upward to prevent water from spilling into the dishwasher base.
      5. Locate the inlet connection on the left side of the pump where the sump hose attaches. Loosen this hose clamp the same way, turning counterclockwise 3-4 rotations with the adjustable wrench.
      6. Remove the sump hose from the pump inlet by pulling it straight off.
      7. Rotate the entire pump assembly counterclockwise approximately 45 degrees. The pump housing has tabs that lock into slots in the sump base.
      8. Lift the pump assembly straight up and out of the sump housing.
      9. Position the new drain pump (Bosch part number 00611332) into the sump opening, aligning the three locking tabs on the pump base with the three slots in the sump housing.
      10. Press down firmly and rotate the pump clockwise 45 degrees until you feel it lock into place. The pump should sit flush against the sump base with no gaps.
      11. Reconnect the sump hose to the pump inlet and tighten the hose clamp by turning clockwise until snug but not over-tightened (approximately 6-8 inch-pounds of resistance).
      12. Reconnect the drain hose to the pump outlet and secure with the hose clamp.
      13. Push the wire harness connector onto the pump terminal until it clicks audibly, indicating full engagement.

      đź›’ Recommended Products

      Here are the recommended products for this repair: