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HomeRepair HelpSamsung Dishwasher RepairSamsung Dishwasher has a burning smell Repair
Samsung Dishwasher has a burning smell
A Samsung dishwasher burning smell usually points to an electrical part overheating or shorting out, and the most likely place to check first is the drain valve solenoid. If your Samsung dishwasher smells like burning, inspect the drain valve for burn marks near the terminals and test the solenoid for continuity. Next, check the heating element, since a shorted element can blister, split, and create a clear dishwasher electrical burning smell. After that, look at the timer and then the control board, both of which can short out after a power surge or internal failure. A failing pump and motor assembly is another common cause, especially if the dishwasher fills but the circulation motor only hums or stays silent. The drain solenoid kit can also overheat and cause the same dishwasher overheating smell. If your dishwasher smells like burning during or after a cycle, unplug power before inspecting components and replace any part that shows heat damage or fails a continuity test. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact Samsung replacement part that fits your dishwasher.
01 - Samsung Dishwasher Drain Valve
The drain valve will often use a solenoid to open the valve to allow the water to exit the dishwasher. Since the solenoid is an electrical component, it can short out and produce a burning smell. You should inspect the solenoid for any burn marks near the terminals. You can also use a multimeter to test the drain valve solenoid for electrical continuity to determine if the component is able to function properly. If the solenoid is faulty, the entire drain valve assembly may need to be replaced.
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02 - Samsung Dishwasher Heating Element
The heating element may be shorted, causing a burning smell. In most cases when the element shorts out, it will have blisters or raised sections on it; in other cases a shorted element will break in half. 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.
Highly Likely
03 - Samsung Dishwasher Timer
On some dishwasher models, the timer determines when power is sent to the various components of the dishwasher. If the timer receives a power surge, or a component fails, the timer can short-out causing a burning smell. Inspect the timer for burn marks. A damaged timer will need to be replaced.
Highly Likely
04 - Samsung Dishwasher Control Board
The control board provides power to the various components of the dishwasher. If the control board receives a power surge, or a component fails, the control board can short-out causing a burning smell. Inspect the control board for burn marks. A burnt control board will need to be replaced.
Highly Likely
05 - Samsung Dishwasher Pump and Motor Assembly
The circulation pump uses a motor and impeller to force water up through the wash arms during the dishwasher's wash and rinse cycles. If the motor has burned out or is in the process of failing, it can produce a burning smell. You can often tell that a circulation pump motor has burned out if the motor isn’t making any noise or is just making a humming sound after the dishwasher has filled.
Common
06 - Samsung Dishwasher Drain Solenoid Kit
The drain solenoid opens the drain valve to allow the water to exit the dishwasher. Since the solenoid is an electrical component, it can short out and produce a burning smell. You should inspect the solenoid for any burn marks near the terminals. You can also use a multimeter to test the solenoid for electrical continuity to determine if the component is able to function properly.
Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Samsung dishwasher have a burning smell during the cycle?
Can a shorted heating element cause a dishwasher burning smell?
How do I tell if the drain valve or drain solenoid is causing the burning smell?
My Samsung dishwasher has a burning smell and just hums. Is the pump and motor assembly bad?
How do I find the right replacement part for my Samsung dishwasher?
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