Help--does anyone know why the soap dish on our dishwasher is not emptying? Is that a word? Anyway, the soap -either the packets or powder type- won't release from the soap dispenser, even though it opens on time in the cycle.

Sometimes dishwashing soap does not dissolve and dispense because the water is not hot enough. Try running the tap water in the sink next to the dishwasher until it is hot, then start the washer.

Another possibility is that the water level is not high enough.

Check this by waiting until the main cycle begins, after the soap dispenser opens, open the dishwasher. The water should be up to the heating element. If not, you may have a fill valve going bad. A repairman may need to get in there and replace that.

You could also test this by adding a half gallon of water during the main cycle and see if that helps.

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Thanks a lot:) Will try these to see if either is a problem. It does take awhile for our water to get hot---hadn't thought of that-and, will check the water level also.

I think it is most likely the water arm is not spinning. Push it by hand and it should turn freely, if it doesn't that is the problem. Try using some CLR on it (get it on the pivot area good). If that doesn't do it, you will probably need a service person.

jch