How to Replace Your Whirlpool Dishwasher’s Drain Pump

The last thing you want is a long-term leak coming from your dishwasher. It can be even worse if the leak is coming from wastewater after a cycle has started. If you’ve noticed leaking water or that your machine isn’t draining as well as it used to, the drain pump may be broken. The motor can fail over time, which leads to either problem. But fixing it is a repair you can make by yourself. Just order a new drain pump, which is part #WP661658 for most Whirlpool and Kenmore dishwashers. Then follow this step-by-step guide to replacing the part.

Make sure you unplug any major appliance before you start making repairs. This is especially important with appliances that handle both electricity and water, like dishwashers and washing machines. Before you get started, also turn off the water supply by giving the hot water valve a quarter turn. This repair involves disconnect the hoses.

Make sure the dishwasher is unplugged and the water supply is turned off before you get started.

Next, remove the water line that connects the dishwasher to the hot water valve by loosening the end of the hose. Set the loose end of the water line onto a towel in case there’s any water remaining in the hose. Also, remove the drain hose at the point where it connects to the garbage disposal. Loosen the clamp and pull the hose free to set it down on the towel.

After that, loosen the screws that are holding the dishwasher in place under the countertop. Also, remove the lower rack in the appliance so it’s out of your way.

Then pull the dishwasher completely out from under the counter. Partially close the door. Use the sides as a grip to pull it free a few inches. Then grab the frame and pull the appliance out the rest of the way.

Carefully tilt the dishwasher onto its side so you can access the bottom. Locate the drain pump, which is connected to the sump, before you get started disassembling the machine. Knowing what you’re trying to remove can help make the rest of the dishwasher’s configuration easier to manage. You can also lay down another towel over the floor to prevent any potential water damage from water lingering in the machine.

First, remove the drain hose. Start by compressing the clamp so you can pull the end of the hose free. Set it aside. Then loosen the screw in the connection point’s housing. Slide the part free. It will still be connected to the machine by the wires, so don’t pull it completely out. Instead, just find a part you can set it on. Set the loosened heat shield and O-ring aside for later.

Next, disconnect the wire harnesses on the drain pump. Do this by following the wires from the housing to the top of the drain pump where there are two wires: a gray and a blue one. Remove each of the wire’s wire harnesses from the top of the drain pump. If this is one of the first times you have disconnected wires in an appliance, consider taking a picture first. This will give you a visual guide of precisely how the wires were connected before you unplug them, and you can reference it during the reassembly.

After that, loosen the drain pump by pressing down the locking tab at the back of the drain pump on the left side. Compress the lock and rotate the part counterclockwise to disengage it. Then lift it off the sump and set the old part aside.

Before you get started, clean the sump where the drain pump goes. Also, make sure the heat shield is fully in position behind where the drain pump belongs; a corner of it should be looped around the drain pump’s locking tab.

Then press the new drain pump onto the top of the sump with the blue box oriented to the left. Carefully rotate the part clockwise until it snaps into a locked position.

Reconnect the wire harnesses. The blue wire should be snapped onto the left port, and the gray wire belongs in the right port.

Then reconnect the housing on the left. Slide the O-ring into position and put the other heat shield behind it. Make sure the hole in the heat shield encircles the small tab on the left side of the sump so it doesn’t get knocked out of position. Then slide the drain hose’s housing back into position over the O-ring and against the sump. It may be a tight fit, so press it firmly in without rotating it too much. Then secure it in place with the screw that holds it against the sump’s small lock tab.

Reconnect the end of the drain hose. Push the end of the hose onto the fitting. Once it’s in position, compress the clamp and slide it fully into position. Then retighten the clamp. Carefully lift the machine back up onto its feet.

Now that the repairs are complete, you can reinstall the dishwasher. Start by pushing the appliance halfway back under the countertop without pinching the water lines or power cord. Then reach under the sink and pull as much of the hoses and power cord as you can into the cabinet. Push the dishwasher the rest of the way under the countertop and pull the rest of the hoses’ and cord’s length under the sink.

Reconnect the water line to the hot water valve by hand and then tighten it with a wrench. Be careful to not overtighten the hose. Also, reconnect the drain hose to the garbage disposal and secure it with the clamp.

Resecure the dishwasher to the underside of the countertop by retightening the screws. While the dishwasher is open, return the lower dish rack to the bottom of the machine. Then turn on the water supply and plug the appliance in.

If you have any questions or you want a trained technician to take a look at your appliance, contact us at Dan Marc Appliance. You can schedule an appointment or find more repair tips.