Lg Dishwasher: shorting and smoking

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your LG dishwasher is shorting and smoking, it's crucial to address the issue immediately. This alarming symptom may indicate a faulty heating element, damaged control board, or wiring issues. You might notice smoke, a burning smell, or visible signs of electrical failure during operation. Ignoring these signs can lead to serious hazards, so understanding the root causes is essential.

Urgency: Critical

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • LG support acknowledges burning smell issues and recommends professional inspection and service via official support channels.

Possible Causes

Faulty or shorted heating element

How to Identify: Smoke or burning smell during drying/heating cycle; visible blisters or damage on heating coil if inspectable.

Part: Heating element

Damaged control board or timer short

How to Identify: Burn marks on control board; intermittent control failures; burning smell without mechanical noise; smoke from control area.

Part: Electronic control board / timer

Motor/pump assembly overheating or internal failure

How to Identify: Smoke from bottom kickplate area; humming or no noise from motor; pungent rubber/insulation smell.

Part: Pump/motor assembly

Wiring damage or insulation breakdown causing short circuit

How to Identify: Smoke accompanied by sparks or visible wire insulation damage; intermittent operation; burning electrical odor.

Part: Internal wiring harness

DIY Solutions

Inspect for melted items on heating element

Easy 10-15 minutes
Tools Needed: Flashlight, Gloves
  1. Turn off power to the dishwasher and disconnect from the electrical supply.
  2. Open the dishwasher and inspect the bottom tub for melted plastic or foreign objects near the heating element.
  3. Remove any foreign objects carefully with gloves.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure power is fully disconnected before inspecting inside.

Professional Repairs

Replace faulty heating element

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Control board/timer replacement

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

Pump and motor assembly replacement

Estimated Cost: $200 - $500

Internal wiring harness repair

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

When to Call a Professional

Any occurrence of smoke or burning smell during operation.
Visible electrical arcing, sparks, or smoke from control board area.
Dishwasher shuts off abruptly or intermittently after smoke.

Preventive Maintenance

  • Regularly inspect for foreign objects on heating element: Smoke from melted plastic and heating element obstruction.
    Frequency: monthly
  • Have dishwasher electrical components inspected annually after 5 years of use: Wiring degradation and control board failures leading to shorts.
    Frequency: annually

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Dishwasher shorting and smoking?
Common causes include a faulty heating element, damaged control board, or wiring issues.
How do I fix LG Dishwasher shorting and smoking myself?
Turn off power, inspect for melted items near the heating element, and remove foreign objects.
How much does it cost to fix shorting and smoking?
Repair costs can range from $50 for a heating element to $500 for a motor assembly replacement.
When should I call a technician for shorting and smoking?
Call a technician immediately if you see smoke or smell burning, as this indicates a critical issue.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

60%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: Professional

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Faulty wiring or connections causing electrical shorts
  • Damaged or malfunctioning control board leading to electrical failures
  • Burnt-out motor or motor components due to moisture or rust

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Inspect and repair any damaged wiring or connections. Unplug the dishwasher, remove the access panel, and check for frayed wires or loose connections. Replace or secure as necessary.

  2. Replace the control board if it shows signs of burning or malfunction. Disconnect the power, remove the control panel, and replace the board with a new one.

  3. Check and replace the motor if it has rust or signs of damage. Ensure the dishwasher is unplugged, remove the motor assembly, and install a new motor if necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. LG dishwasher started shorting and smoking randomly at the b...

Community Discussions

shorting and smoking randomly at the beginning of a cycle

motor replaced due to rust and shorting

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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