detergent dispenser in 13 yr old Kenmore dishwasher isn't opening

[irisblue]

during every wash cycle. It has failed 3 times in the last 10 days. I have used a wet cloth to dissolve the clumped powder, then used a toothbrush around the hatches that lock the dispenser shut. It is draining properly & both arms are moving with water.
I will be googling for the any vids on fixing this, however has anyone had this issue?

[LisaM]

1. No, but do you need to do anything?

Can't you just throw in one of those dishwasher pods? The outside just melts and you don't really need a dispenser.

[Lilyhoney]

3. This. Nt

[samnsara]

2. you have more patience than i do with appliances..

.. I would be all for buying a new one...look at the Samsung's! My 7 yr old Kenmore fridge went out. Sears said they could look at it 'in a week'.. then what? order parts? I needed a fridge. Ordered one from Lowes..the Samsung Family Hub with the built in tv and all the rest. I LOVE IT...now I want to replace all my relatively-newish appliances with Samsung so I can control them all with my phone. Talk about lazeeeeee but I'm worth it. ( cuz imma princess lol)

otherwise just throw in a pod. I have never used my dispenser ever.

[flyingfysh]

4. I always found Sears repair service to be useless

Even if it is covered by their "warranty", it often took a week or two to get an appointment. And even then, the guy was often unable to repair it. But they keep trying to peddle their service contracts.
My next dishwasher was from Lowe's. The one time I had a problem, their guy arrived within a day. We also got a LG stove from Lowe's, it is the best stove we ever had.

No wonder Sears is going bankrupt.

[irisblue]

5. I washed the dispenser off with vinegar, then ran a short cycle.

One video showed me how to get @ the spring that controls the opening of the dispenser. Since I can get @ the spring while seated, that's the next thing to try.::sigh::

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. We replaced ours. Relatively easy if you can run a screw driver.

A second set of hands always helps