The Timer Gets Stuck on My GE Nautilus Dishwasher

Function

• The dishwasher timer controls the motor that powers both the pump, which moves water to the spray arms and distributes it throughout the bin, and the drain valve. In GE Nautilus dishwashers, the timer also controls the length of the cycles. As the timer progresses, so does the control knob, which is located on the front of the door. If the timer gets stuck, the knob will not move forward, and the dishwasher will not move on to the next cycle.

Troubleshooting

• GE Nautilus dishwashers are no longer being manufactured by the company. Produced in the early 2000s, they feature a large, round knob that turns in a circle as the dishwasher runs. Today, most modern dishwashers have digital displays. The knob controls of GE Nautilus dishwashers actually make it easier to troubleshoot a stuck timer, because you can see that the knob is not moving forward. In addition, when it does get stuck, you can see exactly where it is stuck.

Repair

• Watch the knob or listen to the dishwasher while it is running. If the timer gets stuck, and the knob is not progressing on its own, simply grasp the knob and move it forward a fraction. In many cases, this is enough to get the dishwasher moving to the next cycle. If the timer continues to stall, or you get weary of having to manually progress each cycle, have a professional install a new timer.

Considerations

• It may not be the timer itself, but the actual knob that is malfunctioning. In addition, if the timer is not triggering the opening of the drain valve or pump, you may end up with flooding problems. If your dishwasher is leaking or is not finishing each cycle, ask a professional to diagnose and repair the problem. It may be more than just a stuck timer.