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HomeRepair HelpMaytag Dishwasher RepairMaytag Dishwasher has a burning smell Repair
Maytag Dishwasher has a burning smell
If your Maytag dishwasher has a burning smell, act on it quickly. The most likely cause is a shorted drain valve solenoid, followed by a failed heating element, a damaged timer, or a burnt control board. A failing pump and motor assembly is also common, especially if the dishwasher fills but the circulation motor only hums or stays quiet. On some Maytag models, the drain solenoid kit can short and create the same dishwasher burning smell or dishwasher electrical burning smell. Look for obvious burn marks, melted terminals, blistering on the heating element, or signs of overheating on the control board and wiring. A multimeter check for continuity can help confirm whether the drain valve solenoid or heating element has failed. If your dishwasher smells like burning during or after a cycle, these parts are the first places to check before the problem gets worse. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact Maytag dishwasher replacement part for your machine, whether you need a drain valve, heating element, timer, control board, or pump and motor assembly.
01 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 - Maytag 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 Maytag dishwasher have a burning smell?
How do I tell if the heating element is causing the burning smell in my Maytag dishwasher?
Can a drain valve or drain solenoid make a dishwasher smell like it's burning?
My Maytag dishwasher has a burning smell and just hums. Is the pump motor bad?
How do I find the right Maytag dishwasher part for a burning smell repair?
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