How to Clean a Corroded Dishwasher Water Valve

A dishwasher water inlet valve allows water to enter the water pump and spray out of the spray arms. The water inlet valve opens and closes from an electrical signal from the dishwasher’s timer. Small leaks of hot water on an electrical connection can form corrosion. If an electrical connection has corrosion on it, it lessens the connection and leads to more corrosion through stray electrical signals. If your dishwasher is not receiving water inside, you can check it for corrosion and clean it so that it will function properly.

Screwdriver
Needle-nose pliers
Aluminum foil
Water
Vinegar
Paper towels
Wire brush
Petroleum jelly

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the circuit breaker to the dishwasher off in the breaker box. Grasp the water supply valve to the dishwasher and turn it clockwise to shut the water off.
- 2
  Remove or open the front bottom access panel on the dishwasher. If your panel is screwed on, remove each of the four screws with a screwdriver and pull the panel straight off. If your panel has hinges on the bottom, pull the top of the panel down.
- 3
  Locate the water inlet valve. It will be either on the bottom of one side or in the front of the dishwasher. An inlet valve is plastic with two wires attached to the top, with the water line connected to the side of it.
- 4
  Grasp each of the two wires on top of the water inlet valve with needle-nose pliers and pull them straight off the valve.
- 5
  Wet a piece of aluminum foil and scrub the corrosion off the two wire connectors on top of the inlet valve. Clean the two wire ends that you removed in Step 4 in the same manner.
- 6
  Pour vinegar on paper towels and wrap the wire connectors and the top of the inlet valve in them. Let the vinegar sit on the corrosion for about an hour to soften deposits. Remove the paper towels.
- 7
  Scrape any remaining corrosion off with a wire brush.
- 8
  Dip your forefinger into a jar of petroleum jelly and coat the wire connectors and the wire ends that attach to the valve with a thick coating.
- 9
  Insert the two wires onto the inlet top.
- 10
  Close the access panel door or replace the four screws that were removed to open the door. Turn the water valve clockwise to turn the water and the circuit breaker on.

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