If your Maytag dishwasher is not drying dishes, start with the parts most likely to affect the dry cycle. A vent that does not open properly is the most common cause, because trapped steam leaves dishes still wet at the end of the cycle. Next, check the turbidity sensor, which can keep the dishwasher from moving into the drying portion of the program if it is reading incorrectly. Some Maytag models also rely on a vent fan motor to pull moist air out, so if the fan blade will not spin freely or the motor has no continuity, the dishwasher may not be heating to dry effectively. After that, inspect the heating element or heating element assembly, since a failed element is a common reason a dishwasher is not drying dishes. On some units, a resettable fuse on the element can trip and cut power. Finally, look for a loose or damaged wire harness between the control system and heating element. If your dishwasher dishes are still wet, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact Maytag vent, vent fan motor, turbidity sensor, heating element, heating element assembly, or wire harness that fits your machine.
01 - Maytag Dishwasher Vent
The vent might not be opening properly. As the dishes are drying, many dishwashers use a vent to let out the hot, steamy air generated during the rinse cycle. If the vent does not open properly, the dishwasher will leave moisture on the dishes. Check the vent to ensure that it is opening properly.
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A dishwasher turbidity sensor measures the amount of food particles in the water being circulated through the appliance to help determine how long a wash or rinse cycle should last. Some sensors also incorporate a thermistor to regulate the temperature. If the sensor is faulty, it may prevent the dishwasher from entering the drying cycle.
Some dishwashers use a vent fan motor to help dry the dishes at the end of the cycle. If the fan motor is not working, the dishwasher won’t dry the dishes properly. To determine if the fan motor has failed, test the motor for continuity. Also, try turning the fan blade by hand to ensure that it spins freely. If the fan motor has burned out or the fan blade won’t turn smoothly, replace the vent fan motor.
Some dishwashers use a heating element to heat the dishwasher during the drying cycle. If the heating element has failed, the dishwasher won't dry dishes properly. To determine if the heating element has burned out, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the heating element does not have continuity, replace it. Note that some dishwasher heating elements have a resettable fuse that can trip, preventing voltage from reaching the element to heat it. Pressing the button on the fuse will reset it and restore power to the element
Some dishwashers use a heating element to heat the dishwasher during the drying cycle. If the heating element assembly has failed, the dishwasher won't dry dishes properly. To determine if the heating element assembly has burned out, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the heating element assembly does not have continuity, replace it. Note that some element assemblies have a resettable fuse that can trip, preventing voltage from reaching the element to heat it. Pressing the button on the fuse will reset it and restore power to the element.
A wire harness allowing voltage to be sent from the dishwasher control board to a heating element could be loose or damaged and unable to provide power to the element. If this happens, the dishwasher may not be able to dry the dishes properly. You should inspect all wire harnesses for loose connections or damage, especially burn marks near the connection points, and replace if necessary.