How to Remove a Dishwasher Heat Coil

It is necessary to remove the dishwasher heat coil for testing and possible replacement if the dishes are not being cleaned properly. Most dishwashers use a heating coil in the bottom of the dishwasher to keep the water heated during the wash process and also for drying the dishes. Removing a dishwasher heating coil is generally the same among all the manufacturers. Once the heat coil is out of the dishwasher, it is possible to test it or replace it with a new one if necessary.

Phillips-head screwdriver
Flashlight
Wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the circuit breaker powering the dishwasher. The circuit breaker is inside your home electrical panel box.
- 2
  Open the dishwasher door and pull out the bottom dish rack. Find the area where the two ends of the heating coil enter the bottom of the dishwasher tub. This gives you an idea where to look for the two ends under the dishwasher.
- 3
  Close the dishwasher door, and remove the screws securing the kick plate to the bottom of the unit with a Phillips-head screwdriver. The screws are on each end of the kick plate below the dishwasher door. Pull the kick plate away from the dishwasher.
- 4
  Shine a flashlight under the bottom of the dishwasher and find the two ends of the heating coil. Wires connect to each end and the ends are pointing toward the floor.
- 5
  Pull the ends of each wire off the spade terminal on the ends of the heating coil with your fingers. Loosen the nuts securing the heating coil to the dishwasher with a wrench. Remove the nuts by hand once they are loose.
- 6
  Open the dishwasher door and lift the ends of the heating coil out of the bottom of the dishwasher. Unclip the heating coil from the holding brackets on the dishwasher bottom, and pull the heating coil out of the dishwasher.

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