Kitchenaid Dishwasher Clean Light Blinking 4 Times: The Reasons And Fixes

On a KitchenAid dishwasher, “the clean light flashes 4 times” is an error signal. You need to identify its reason and fix it.

The clean light can blink four times when the wash motor does not work or there is a problem with the electrical connection. As a primary fix, you can restore the cleaning cycle. If it does not solve the blinking, the machine needs to reset. The problem also can happen due to poor electrical connections that need reworking. Finally, you may need to replace the wash motor if it is dead.

In this article, we will discuss the error signal, the reasons that occur it and the methods you can apply to solve it.

What Does The “Clean Light Blinks 4 Times” Mean?

Blinking the clean light four times is one of the error codes used by KitchenAid to inform users about a few internal problems. 

Primarily, it indicates an issue with the wash motor. The code also specifies electrical faults preventing the motor from effective performance. It is a clear sign that the cleaning cycle of the dishwasher is running below the optimal standard.

Along with the problem with water circulation, you can also notice that the cleaning result is not satisfactory. Due to lack of power, the wash motor can pause its operation in the middle of cleaning and show the light four times blinking.

Besides, it can be an indication that the dishwasher fails to raise the water temperature. For effective dishwashing, warm water is crucial. When the machine’s functions cannot warm water, it can show this error signal.

What Causes The Clean Light Blinking 4 Times On KitchenAid Dishwasher? 

There are three common reasons why the dishwasher shows the signal. Below are the short discussions about each.

A fault in the wash motor:

The wash motor plays a key role during the wash cycle. It circulates water through the spray arms in the dishwasher. Thus, the machine cleans food particles and debris from dishes. If the motor becomes defective, the water circulation will not work. Finally, it results in blinking the clean light four times as an error signal. 

A problem with the electrical connection:

Poor electrical connection is another reason that the error signal appears. The clean light can blink if the electrical connection to the wash motor is inappropriate. It often occurs when small metal parts do not make a perfect connection.

A problem with the control board:

The control board works like the brain of the dishwasher. It manages all functions of the machine and controls the wash motor. Unfortunately, the control board can be defective, too. When it becomes faulty, it fails to send the correct signals to the wash motor. It results in an incomplete wash cycle and the clean light four times blinking. 

How To Troubleshoot And Fix The “Clean Light Blinking Four Times” On KitchenAid Dishwasher?

There are several ways to fix the blinking, depending on the reason for the light flashing. You can begin with the basic fixing. However, you may need to go to advanced methods if the basic fixes do not work. Below are the steps to follow:

1. Restoring the cycle:

The blinking may not always happen for internal issues. Sometimes, it can occur due to a technical glitch. In that case, there is no complexity in its fixing. You just have to restore the cycle.

• Switch off the dishwasher and plug it out for 5 minutes.
• This process will let the dishwasher restore its cleaning cycle, which has been interrupted.
• After the duration, reconnect its plug and restart it.

See if it has fixed the four times blinking. Otherwise, you have to go to the next method.

2. Running a test cycle: 

A test cycle can quickly fix the issue and bring the dishwasher’s default cleaning cycle back. But, the process can be a little different depending on the specific model. You must check the user manual to discover the recommended sequences suitable for your unit. 

Here is the general order to run the test cycle in a KitchenAid dishwasher:

• Press the first three buttons from the left of the dishwasher in a 1-2-3 order.
• Pressing between switches should be no longer than one second.
• Repeat the sequence three times.
• After that, press the “Start” button to activate the default cleaning cycle.

In the case of other models, the following pressing order actives the test cycle:

• Without loading the machine with dishes, press “heat dry,” “normal,” “heat dry,” “normal.”
• This technique will illuminate all the light on the display.
• When you notice it, press the “start” button.

3. Checking the connections:

We have already mentioned that the clean light can blink due to a connection fault. So, you must confirm that all electrical connections are secure. Make sure the dishwasher does not have loose wiring.

• First, unplug your dishwasher from the electrical outlet.
• Check all electric connections carefully. Ensure if there is a loose connection occurring the problem.
• If you find one, note it. Reconnect the loose wire using appropriate tools.
• Plug the dishwasher again and start it to see if it is fixed.

4. Testing the motor and replacement:

What to do if the above methods do not work? It means there is a problem with the wash motor. To confirm whether the motor is active or dead, you need to test its current flow. You will need an ammeter to check it. Here is the process how to check the motor:

• Unplug the dishwasher from the electrical outlet and disconnect the motor’s wiring.
• Connect the ammeter’s probes to the motor terminal. 
• The motor should show the reading 0 or near zero. Test the motor’s metal housing as well.
• If the ammeter receives any reading, it means the motor is fine.

Note: If the motor shows no resistance, it is dead. In that case, you must replace it. Contact KitchenAid’s customer care for the wash motor replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

To wrap it up, the blinking clean light represents errors with the wash motor and electric connections. In most cases, you can fix them at home with basic troubleshooting, including restoring the cleaning cycle and resetting the machine. 

The dishwasher can also show the signal if the motor is damaged. In that case, replacement is the only option. For a genuine part replacement, contact the KitchenAid helpline for further assistance. Also, you should get a professional to fix the dishwasher’s critical issues without damaging the other components.