Samsung dishwasher with drain error

Samsung Dishwasher DMT-400 RHS (2 years old) gives a "drain error". It all started (bare with me) when I had to clean out the left side "brake case" and water level sensor when it was giving a "low water level" error. After I cleaned out all the junk that looked like mold an algae from a back drain caused by not having a high loop (oops) at the disposal, I thought I would be good. It looked like the 2 LED? water level sensors were so blocked with junk that it was relying on the metal prongs to stop filling.

But now I get the drain error. I have removed every hose and have no kinks or blocks. I pulled off the drain pump and it spins.
There is also a rubber check valve near the drain motor that tore off previously before all this, but it was mostly working with that removed last month. I thought it was a foreign object but since becoming intimately familiar with this thing, I realize it a poorly designed check valve that easily rips off. Even though it was torn, put it where it goes, but it doesn't help.

I don't know if I broke something when I did my original clean out job on the left side. I can poor a gallon of water in and it will drain it out quickly but then does this ineffective 'surging' for a minute. It sounds like it spins the main motor 3 time, goes back to the drain pump that them displays the "drain error"code. It never tries to fill the tank with water, which seems weird (is the inlet valve the problem?). I've cover all the obvious stuff and taken all apart, but don't know what it could be. Something is making the computer think it's not draining when it clearly can.

Thanks,
Andy

 

It sounds like there may still be a problem with the water level sensor. It's trying to drain but the sensor keeps telling the system that it's detecting water. Could the sensor have gotten damaged in the cleaning ?

Also, the check valve is there to keep dirty water from coming back into machine.

I'm not totally familiar with the logic in this machine so I'm at loss for more useful information for you.

 

Thanks for the reply. I ordered a new water level sensor. It looks like 2 pairs of LEDs to detect 2 water levels attached to a plastic box (Part #: DD94-01006A). I doesn't produce visible light, but I assumed it was UV. It was getting voltage, but I could force the dishwasher to finally fill by putting white paper between the LEDs....but then get a low water error.
Anyway, I'll post in a few days if this worked.
Thanks!

 

You're welcome and please let us know how you make out.

 

Did replacing the sensor fix it? My Samsung DMT400RHS dishwasher started doing that and my local appliance repair guy said it is draining but I keep getting a drain error. He mentioned replacing the sensor but is afraid to start in to that causing a large repair bill if it doesn't work.

 

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