This is a call I get a lot of, dishwasher issues and like all modern appliances, 80% of the problems come back to a bad computer board. The client’s complaint is that the dishwasher only runs occasionally.

It runs fine on the first cycle I try, which tells me that all the mechanical parts are working correctly.

Now that I’ve ruled out the mechanical parts, the only thing it can be is the computer board. The problem is, most of the time on a dishwasher, you’re better off replacing the unit than you are replacing the computer board.

This unit for example, by the time we bought the board, about $270.00 and charged an installation fee, you’re looking at slightly over $400.00 to repair it. For about $500.00 you can get a brand new Frigidaire dishwasher.

I tell all my clients that I like to make money as well as the next person, but I want to see my clients get their money’s worth out of what they spend.

If, as in this case, the dishwasher is only 3 years old and the computer board has already failed, you have to wonder what other major components such as the drain pump or the circulation pump could be in danger of failing soon as well.

I have seen cases where the client spent the money to replace the board, against my advice I should add, and while it worked for a while, another major component went out a short time later. I felt bad because the money they spent on the previous repair would have gone a long ways towards a new machine.

So, in most cases, if the computer is glitching or not working, my advice is to run it till it no longer runs, then get a new one. It’s just not worth the risk in my opinion.