GE Nautilus Rumbling and Banging

I have had my dishwasher for the last three years since moving into our home and have had no problems with it up until now.

Two nights ago while running a load, the dishwasher started to make a rumbling noise and throughout the cycle I would hear a periodic banging noise (bang bang band). The banging noise goes on for a few minutes, stops for awhile, and then start up again later in the cycle. Additionally, we have noticed that if we turn on the kitchen faucet, all of the problems go away. Also, while the dishwasher is doing this, we noticed that the water in the upstairs shower pulsates with the banging.

In digging around a bit, some people have suggested that the problem is water hammer. I have seen that this is sometimes caused by buildup in the pipes and that closing the water main and draining the water from the pipes can fix this. I tried this, but it has not helped.

The other thing that I have seen is that this problem can be caused by a faulty water intake (fill?) valve in the dishwasher. I could probably replace this on my own, but wanted to run this by everyone to see if this seems reasonable or if there are other things I should look at/try first.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

You could remove the kick panel and check the fill valve, also the float switch to see if either are cycling while the rumble is occurring.
If you post the model number can probably locate a manual as well.

 

Thanks for the advice! When I am checking the valve, will I just hear it clicking open and shut while the rumbling is occurring, or is there some other way to check this?

My model number is: GSD2230F00WW

 

You should be able to hear them. The best way would be with a meter. Do you have a volt meter?

Also make sure that it happens with the dishwasher empty. Check the bottom of the tub for any thing that may have fallen.

Here is a diagram of the parts.

 

I do have a meter. Should I just unplug the connector on the valve and do a continuity check? Is anything less than infinite resistance all right?

I did try listening to the valve during operation when the water hammer manifests. I couldn't really hear anything under the dishwasher -- all I can hear is the banging/rumbling in the pipes under the sink.

Also, I am noticing a slightly different sound when the dishwasher is operating without the water hammer. The best way I can describe it is that the swishing sound of the water in the dishwasher seems less frequent. It's like it takes awhile to be able to have enough water to operate, then spits out some water, and then takes several seconds to get into same state. Kind of like of hum ... hum . . . hum ... hum . . . whoosh and then repeat. Not sure if this is helpful, but did want to throw it out.

Adding an addendum: I just checked did a resistance check on water inlet valve terminals and am measuring 1K.

 

That should be ok on the solenoid.
Almost sound like more of a water pressure problem...is the fill line hard plumbed or a hose?
You can do the same check on the float switch as well, make sure the float is not sticking.

Really kinda hard for me to give much more without some hands on...

 

Thanks again for all of your help on this. I am starting to think that this might be the case as well. Actually, I tried taking the valve apart and cleaned out the mesh screen. It wasn't too bad, but there was some debris on it. I put everything back together and ran a cycle without anything in the dishwasher. My water hammer problem seems gone and the dishwasher seemed to sound okay.

I assumed that I fixed the problem and so tried running a load of dishes. However, the dishes were still pretty dirty and I noticed that the soap dispenser hadn't completely emptied.

Do you have any thoughts for troubleshooting this? The water temperature seems fine, so my only though is that the tub is not filling correctly or that the pump/sprayer arm is not working right.

If it isn't filling right, it seems like my options are either the float switch or that the fill valve still has issues. If it isn't this, how can I test pump or sprayer arm. Any other thoughts.

Again, thanks for all of your help with this.

 

If it is filling at all and not overfilling, I imagine the float switch is working ok. You can check the float itself. Start the cycle and watch the float switch if and when it activates, open the dishwasher and check the level.
I don't know of any real way to test the pump, there may well be some sort of bench test or something...
There is an impeller kit (#429-434) for the pump. You could pull it off and have a look at it, but for 30 bucks and the time to pull it out, I would just put the kit in.
This isn't actually my area of expertise and I don't have a ton of experience, I am kinda learning myself as I try to expand my services so...perhaps some one else has more knowledge without needing hands on