CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Troubleshooting
A dishwasher is vital after a busy lunch rush or dinner service. Otherwise, you could be stuck wasting time and water washing dishes by hand. Manual dishwashing takes up labor and time away from staff to take care of customers. Thankfully, Parts Town has this handy guide for CMA undercounter dishwasher troubleshooting so it can be back up and running in no time.
This guide applies to undercounter CMA dishwasher units such as UC50e, UC65e and L-1X models like the L-1X16.
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Not Operating
There are a few reasons a dishwasher may become inoperative. Here are the causes of that and how to fix them:
- Circuit breaker is off - Turn on the circuit breaker
- Power switch not on or defective - Turn on the power switch or replace it
- Unit not plugged in - Plug in the unit
- Defective timer assembly motor - Replace the timer assembly motor
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Pump Motor Inoperative
The pump motor of a dishwasher is an important part of making the unit run.
- Dishwasher door is open - This is a safety measure to ensure the unit is not on while the door is open. Simply close the door to fix it
- Control drawer is pulled out - Secure the control drawer so it’s closed
- Reed switch is defective - Replace the reed switch
- Timer assembly is defective - Replace the timer assembly
- The pump motor or pump motor contactor is defective - Replace the pump motor or contactor
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Pump Motor Runs with Door Open
A dishwasher should never run while the door is open. This can cause water and suds to leak all over the place. In this situation, these troubleshooting tips can help resolve it:
- Reed switch is defective - Replace the reed switch
- Pump motor contactor is defective - Replace the contactor
- The delimer switch is turned on - Turn it off
- Note: Having this on during normal operations can also cause the motor to run continuously, so be sure to turn this switch off after deliming
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Optional Sustainer Heater Has No Heat
- Heater or thermostat on the heater is defective - Replace the heater
- Heater relay is defective - Replace the heater relay
- Timer assembly is defective - Replace the timer assembly
- Float switch is defective - Replace the float switch
- Float switch isn’t actuated - This issue has two possible remedies. First, try to fill the wash tank completely. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, you can then try to level the machine.
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Optional Sustainer Heater Never Turns Off
- Thermostat on the heater is defective - Replace the heater
- Timer assembly is defective - Replace the timer assembly
- Heater relay is defective - Replace the heater relay
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher has Low Heat During Operation
The right temperature is needed to clean and sanitize dishes adequately. If the unit is experiencing low heat while running, it could be caused by the following issues:
- Incoming water temperature is too low - Turn up the temperature for the supply water heater
- Thermostat is out of adjustment - Adjust the thermostat
- The sustainer heater is defective or not installed - Replace or install the sustainer heater
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Spray Arm Water Flow is Low
To get dishes rinsed fully, the spray arm needs the right amount of water. If you find they’re producing less than standard, try this fix:
- Spray arm nozzles have limescale build-up - Delime the unit
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Start Switch Doesn’t Begin Cycle (Unit has Power)
Once you’ve already confirmed the unit has power, but the start switch isn’t activating the cycle, it could be a bigger issue than the unit not being plugged in.
- Fill/start switch is defective - Replace the fill/start switch
- Timer assembly is defective - Replace the timer assembly
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Not Filling
If you activate the fill switch, but the unit is not filling with water, it could be due to the following issues:
- Fill/start switch is defective - Replace the fill/start switch
- Water solenoid valve is defective - Replace the water solenoid valve
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Fill Water Won’t Shut Off
If the fill water overflows, you’ll have a leaking dishwasher and a bigger mess on top of the already dirty dishes. Here’s how to fix it:
- Water solenoid valve is defective - Replace the water solenoid valve
- Fill/start switch is defective - Replace the fill/start switch
- Timer assembly is defective - Replace the timer assembly
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Not Draining
The unit has to drain to end the cycle and open the dishwasher door safely. Otherwise, water will come pouring out. If the drain switch is being activated, but nothing is happening, it could be caused by the following:
- Kinked drain hose - Unkink the drain hose
- Faulty or clogged drain valve - Replace or unclog the drain valve
- Drain switch is defective - Replace the drain switch
- Drain valve motor is defective - Replace the drain valve motor
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Detergent Pump Does Not Run
- Detergent pump motor is defective - Replace the pump motor
- Timer assembly is defective - Replace the timer assembly
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Sanitizer Pump Does Not Run
- Delimer switch is in the wrong position - Move the switch to NORMAL
- Sanitizer pump motor is defective - Replace the pump motor
- Timer assembly is defective - Replace the timer assembly
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Rinse Pump Does Not Run
- Rinse pump motor is defective - Replace the pump motor
- Timer assembly is defective - Replace the timer assembly
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Wash Tank Thermometer Displays the Wrong Temperature
- Temperature gauge is defective - Replace the gauge
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Activating Detergent, Sanitizer or Rinse Primer Switch Doesn’t Run Pump
Detergent, sanitizer and rinse each has their own primer switch and pump motor, but when activating them doesn’t work, the resolutions are very similar.
- Detergent, sanitizer or rinse primer switch is defective - Replace the primer switch
- Detergent, sanitizer or rinse pump motor is defective - Replace the pump motor
CMA Undercounter Dishwasher Delime Switch Doesn’t Activate Pump Motor
- Delime switch is defective - Replace the delime switch
- Pump motor is defective - Replace the pump motor
Need some more guides for a commercial dishwasher? Check out our large selection of CMA Dishmachine manuals and diagrams for tips specific to your model.