Written by 1:46 pm How to Fix Stuff

How to Replace a Dishwasher Float Switch

Dishwasher not doing its job? Are you noticing that the water isn’t getting hot, or the dishes come out soaking wet and, well, not clean? There are a few reasons your water isn’t getting hot however ours ended up being the float switch. Check out the video to see how to diagnose and repair it yourself while saving a couple hundred dollars on a service call! This video was made specifically for a GE Dishwasher, model GDF620HGJ0BB but I’m pretty confident that the diagnosis methods will work on most dishwashers.

Replacing the float switch on a GE dishwasher is a fairly simple task that can be accomplished with just a few tools and about an hour on a Saturday afternoon (I hope!).

Tools you’ll need

Parts you “may” need

Step 1: Gather the necessary tools and materials

Before you begin, you will need to gather the necessary tools and materials. These include a screwdriver (either a Phillips or a flathead, depending on the type of screws on your dishwasher), pliers, a replacement float switch, and a towel (or 3).

Step 2: Turn off power to the dishwasher

Okay this is really step one, before you begin any repair work on your dishwasher, it is important to turn off the power to the appliance at the breaker then try turning the dishwasher on just to verify.

Step 3: Locate the float switch

The float switch for my dishwasher is located at the bottom of the tub, you need to remove the bottom arm jet; the filter screen, and finally the filter itself before you reveal the coveted float switch.

Step 4: Clear out the sitting water

There will be water around the float switch, grab your towels and soak it all up. You don’t want any water leaking out under the dishwasher!

Step 5: Disconnect the old float switch

There are hex screws that hold the float switch in place, so remove those and then carefully pull out the float switch. It’s connected to the dishwasher via a plug, so carefully detach it and put it aside.

Step 6: Install the new float switch

With the old switch removed, you can now install the new float switch. Simply plug in the new one, and screw back in place. Put back the filter, the filter screen and the bottom arm. You’re now ready to fire this back up and run a load of dishes!

By following these steps and taking the necessary precautions, you can easily replace a faulty float switch and get your dishwasher back up and running in no time.

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