hi. I'm having issues with my Frigidaire FBD700BFC2 dishwasher. I have read a number of threads, here, maybe elsewhere, trying to narrow down the issue, but have not yet found it.

a while back, we found that the hi temp boost was not working. I forget now what it did/did not do, but we did find that if we turned temp boost OFF, it proceeded normally. (I think it acted like the timer was stuck - would not advance beyond a given point in cycle.)

so now that it has gotten colder (for us in Mississippi anyway, overnight temps in 40's, daytime temps 50 or so), the timer again acts as if it is stuck. it does not advance by itself thru the cycles. the dial on the front is not labeled to show me in what cycle it hangs/pauses, but it is at about the 7:00 position, maybe in the wash or rinse cycle.

I've noticed that the dishes do not always come out clean now - mostly clean but not like I think they should.

in reading something, I'm wondering if the problem might be the heater or heating element. since it seems to have begun acting up again since the temp has fallen, maybe that's what brought that thought to mind.

does anyone have any ideas on this? is there a way to measure resistance on the element? would that help me to find the problem? I've also wondered if the timer is the problem since it does not move thru the cycles like it should. but I also read that the timer is likely the most expensive part to replace, and probably should be considered last. so that's what I'm trying to do - consider other possibilities.

if it is the heater/heating element, a diagram I've seen looks like it is under the motor, pump or spray arms - would that be difficult for the average homeowner to replace?

thank you in advance for reading & your advice.

Here are your parts
Parts for Frigidaire FDB700BFC2 Dishwasher - AppliancePartsPros.com

Here is the tech sheet
http://manuals.frigidaire.com/p...f/Kinston/154457601B.pdf

I would start by checking the heater, should be around 20 ohms.
Then the high limit thermostat (item 29 in section 07), should be 0 ohms.
To check the heater you will probably have to pull the unit out from under the cabinet, so if you can get at the thermostat without doing this, check it first.

Then if you have the temperature options switch check those two thermostats.
Both should be 0 ohms.
They are shown is section 05 at the end of the list.
I do not know where they are actually located on the unit.

Idf you click on a part's picture or description a new page will open with more info about that part.

If you do not own a meter, I would suggest you purchase a one. You can get a decent digital multimeter for under $20.00. You do not need fancy though it is nice if the leads are a couple feet long.
If it saves ordering one unnecessary part it has paid for itself and you end up owning a useful tool.
Most places will not let you return electrical parts so if you order it, you own it.
A couple things to watch when measuring ohms and continuity
1. Always remove power from the machine otherwise you could blow your meter.
2. Always disconnect at least one side of any device you are checking. This eliminates the possibility of measuring an alternate/parallel circuit path.
3. When checking for closed contacts and continuity use the lowest scale (Usually 200 ohms). Then try higher scales. This scale is 0 to 200 ohms so if the device you are measuring is 300 ohms this scale would show an open circuit which it is not, you are just measuring outside the scale's dynamic range.
4. When you start always short the meter leads together. This will tell you that the meter is working and if there is any 0 offset.

There is a good STICKY at the start of this forum about it's use.

ok, after having to replace my apparently cheap multimeter, and checking the links you sent, it looks from the wiring diagram that there is only one hi temp thermostat. tracing the lead shown on the diagram, I found what I think is the thermostat. one lead to it is burnt. photo attached. disconnected power to the dishwasher, disconnected both leads & checked thermostat for continuity & impedance. measures 0.2 ohm rather than the 0 ohm you mention if I'm checking the correct part.

also while I was there, decided to check for continuity on the circuit to this part - no continuity. granted, power is still off. this may be why.

so what do you think? replace thermostat? thank you very much.

grrrrr. ok, here's what I've realized. to this point I had not removed the existing part I tested that I thought was the thermostat. I was able to buy locally the p/n 154227808 from the parts list that says "thermostat, temp boots, hi temp wash."

having bought the hopeful replacement part, now I've delved into the replacement process. I removed the existing part I did test, I find it has p/n 154290204 that I did find on the parts list as a "thermostat, re-settable."

I'm not sure if replacing the 154290204 with the 154227808 will resolve my issues or not.

your thoughts on this? I'm doubtful it will since they ARE different parts. now that I have a little more info.

do you think replacing the 154290204 thermostat will resolve my problems? it is the one I did test, and the only one I've found so far. I'm not sure if it is the only one there is or not, but reading from the wiring diagram, following the red lead labeled on the diagram to the hi limit thermostat, that's where I found the 154290204. it is connected by the red lead that comes from the wire "wrap" that seems to come down from the timer & is wrapped inside the tubing to protect the wiring "harness". the red leads on this 154290204 connect the thermostat to the heater element.

I'm sorry. I don't do all this really well, in areas I'm not very familiar but I do appreciate all your help & advice. thank you.

resource links:

FDB700 tech sheet with wiring diagram (link you sent already):
http://manuals.frigidaire.com/prodinfo_pdf/Kinston/154457601B.pdf


parts list:
ftp://ftp.electrolux-na.com/pr...f/kinston/5995519138.pdf

replacing the 204 thermostat did the trick! it took me quite some time to block out the time to do it, and then felt the need to test before posting this reply, but it now works like it should.

hi temp wash and rinse now both work like they should.

thanks very much denman! I appreciate your advice. you were spot on!!!