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GE Dishwasher Control Board Replacement

Video Guide
This guide was transcribed from a YouTube video.

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the control board in a GE dishwasher model GDT545PSJ5SS that has no power, no lights, and no response from the Select Cycle or Start buttons. The control board, also called the electronic control board or main control board, manages dishwasher power and controls. This guide was written around control board part WD21X24901, but similar GE dishwashers may have small layout differences.

What you need

  1. Edit

    • Dishwashers use household voltage, which can seriously injure you.

    • Find the dishwasher breaker in the electrical panel.

    • Switch the breaker off, wait a few seconds, then switch it back on to reset the dishwasher.

    • Check whether the controls light up and respond to the Select Cycle and Start buttons.

    • If the controls return, stop here and monitor the dishwasher.

    • If the dishwasher is still dead, turn the breaker back off and leave it off for the repair.

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  2. Edit

    • Confirm that the dishwasher breaker is off before working underneath the machine.

    • Remove the two screws securing the kick plate with a Phillips screwdriver.

    • Pull the kick plate away from the dishwasher.

    • Remove the strip of noise-dampening foam if it is installed behind the kick plate.

    • Use a non-contact voltage detector near the wiring in the toe-kick area.

    • Do not continue unless the detector shows no voltage.

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  3. Edit

    • Remove the screw securing the small junction-box cover with a Phillips screwdriver.

    • Pull off the junction-box cover.

    • Press the clip on the dishwasher power connector.

    • Pull the connector down to disconnect power from the dishwasher.

    • Grip the connector body instead of pulling on the wires.

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  4. Edit

    • Remove the two screws securing the junction-box bracket to the frame with a Phillips screwdriver.

    • Push the bracket back and out of the way.

    • Disconnect the cable that runs to the front panel.

    • Keep each screw group separate so everything returns to its original location.

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  5. Edit

    • Locate the two front screws with black rubber washers.

    • Remove the two screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

    • Support the tray while removing the second screw so it does not drop.

    • Lower the tray enough to see how the wires are routed.

    • Take a photo of the wire grooves in the tray and frame.

    • The wires must return to these grooves or the tray will not seat correctly.

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  6. Edit

    • Locate the three connectors plugged into the control board.

    • Press the retaining clip on each connector.

    • Pull each connector straight out of the board.

    • The reddish-brown plug at the back is awkward to reach, so work slowly.

    • Slide the tray out from under the dishwasher after all three connectors are free.

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  7. Edit

    • Static electricity can damage the control board.

    • Touch bare metal on the dishwasher frame before handling the board, and hold the board by its edges.

    • Remove the screw securing the control board to the tray with a Phillips screwdriver.

    • Press the tabs on the plastic mounting posts inward with the tip of a screwdriver.

    • Lift the control board off the mounting posts.

    • The tabs can be fiddly, so work around the board until each post releases.

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  8. Edit

    • Compare the old and new boards to make sure the connectors and mounting points match.

    • Mark the old board if the two boards look identical.

    • Keep the old board separate so it does not get reinstalled by mistake.

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  9. Edit

    • Align the replacement board over the plastic mounting posts on the tray.

    • Press the board down until the plastic tabs hold it in place.

    • Reinstall the control-board screw.

    • Do not forget this screw, because it is easy to miss during reassembly.

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  10. Edit

    • Slide the metal tray back under the dishwasher.

    • Reconnect all three plugs to the control board.

    • The plugs are keyed, so they should not fit backward or in the wrong place.

    • Press each plug in until its clip seats.

    • Do not force a connector that does not line up cleanly.

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  11. Edit

    • Lay the wires back into the channels in the metal tray and dishwasher frame.

    • Lift the tray into place while keeping the wires aligned in the grooves.

    • If the tray will not seat, stop and recheck the wire routing before pushing harder.

    • Use a small jar or similar support to hold the tray up while you start the screws.

    • Reinstall the two front screws with black rubber washers using a Phillips screwdriver.

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  12. Edit

    • Reconnect the cable for the front panel.

    • Pull the junction-box bracket back to the frame.

    • Reinstall the two bracket screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

    • Plug the dishwasher power connector back in until the clip seats.

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  13. Edit

    • Slide the junction-box cover back into place.

    • Guide the wires into the box if they block the cover.

    • Do not pinch any wires under the junction-box cover.

    • Reinstall the junction-box cover screw with a Phillips screwdriver.

    • If you test before reinstalling the kick plate, secure the junction-box cover first and shut the breaker off again before touching the toe area.

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  14. Edit

    • Reinstall the noise-dampening foam if you removed it.

    • Position the kick plate at the bottom of the dishwasher.

    • Reinstall the two kick-plate screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

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  15. Edit

    • Turn the dishwasher breaker back on at the electrical panel.

    • Confirm that the control lights come on and the Select Cycle and Start buttons respond.

    • Run a test cycle and listen for normal dishwasher operation.

    • If the dishwasher still has no power, switch the breaker off and recheck the power connector, front-panel cable, and all three board plugs.

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Conclusion

Run a test cycle before returning the dishwasher to normal use. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

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