I have a one year old dishwasher made by Whirlpool. It is a Kitchenaid model KDTM404ESS1. When first installed, the door latched fine. It has the type of latch that has a strike on the cabinet side, and the only way it opens is just to pull on the handle. There is no button to push or anything to disengage the latch. It appears to work on some type of friction. However, lately, it is not engaging in the latch. It makes no clicking sound that it is even in the hole where the latch engages into.
does anyone have any ideas how to repair this issue? I have tried taking out all drawers and shelves, and then closing. I have tried taking out seal to see if that is preventing it from going in to engage. I have examined the latch that is on the cabinet and it appears to not be damaged or bent.
As to the door latch, I have no idea how this is supposed to work. Once it engages, it does not move again, unless you put a screwdriver in and press on the sides and it will release. Could this be the problem that it is not releasing properly? As I said, I do not know the mechanisms of how this part listed below works and if it is defective or not, but the door is just closing on its own, no latch and even during the wash, I have seen it pop open. Something is wrong and I have no idea which part to replace. Could the water seal be preventing this from closing and latching? I really don’t think this is the answer or it would have did it from the beginning. Is the latch on the door side broken or sticking and not engaging, disengaging properly? I see no adjustments for it, and find it hard to believe dishwasher will even start when this latch does not engage, as the least little pull by your tiniest finger will open it.
part number for door latch in door is AP5805371
part number for latch in cabinet is AP5801817
It seems like when I close the dishwasher door, that the door latch AP5805371, does not go in the hole of part number AP5801817. I would hear a click and engagement if it did. I think this is the problem but not sure what to do to fix, as there is no adjustments and I see no wear anywhere.
thanks for any help.
greg