I got a used Gibson dishwasher from my aunt. The spinning arm below the top rack does not seem to spin. I see no clogs, maybe hardwater deposits where it actually spins? I've read somewhere to put lemon Kool-Aid in and run it, can I use anything stronger, maybe CLR?
Thanks.

OK, I just messed around with it some more, and that thing spins just as free as can be when spun by hand. Maybe there's not enough water pressure spraying down into it. I did notice that there is only like maybe a gallon of water draining from each cycle. Is it not filling with enough water to spray down into that arm? What can be done about that??? Or any other ideas?

Hi,

In reply to:

---

Gibson dishwasher

---

Model#?

In reply to:

---

I've read somewhere to put lemon Kool-Aid in and run it, can I use anything stronger, maybe CLR?

---

Sometimes crystal Tang works very well for cleaning up the working....but never tried Kool-Aid!!

Don't care much for CLR, it and vinager can harm some seals and rubber parts.

DishwasherMagic works well!!

We will learm more once we see what style of an d/w this is....some of the models don't spin the upper spray arm all the time and the d/w alternates between the lower arm and upper arm.

In reply to:

---

Maybe there's not enough water pressure spraying down into it.

---

Not enough water filling, weak wash pump assembly, restricted water feed tube are some other possible trouble makers.

jeff.

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the info so far. As for Model #, the only words I see anywhere on the machine is a label with use instructions, and on the front it says Gibson and "Quiet Clean II", is that enough for you?
As for having enough water, when I stop the machine mid-cycle, you can see water in the mesh area under the heating element, but not really pooled up anywhere else.
Thanks again,
Jory

In reply to:

---

and on the front it says Gibson and "Quiet Clean II", is that enough for you?

---

Not really a help to you or us.

Some model# helps

Gibson is a Frigidaire owned name.

In reply to:

---

As for having enough water, when I stop the machine mid-cycle, you can see water in the mesh area under the heating element, but not really pooled up anywhere else

---

Try adding some manually ( open the door and dump a pitcher of hot water in ) to see if the washing improves. Doesn't -sound- like enough!

jeff.

Jeff,
Thanks for trying to help so far.
I did find the model # GDP635RHR0
I also tried adding water manually, I added little by little and checked in between to see if it helped, I filled so much it started leaking out the door when it started up, and it still never got the top arm spinning. I opened the door as quickly as possible and could never even see any water dripping from the downspout.
As for the water filling by itself, like I said, it is barely visible. There looks to be a float towards the front corner, which does seem to move freely up and down. I'd imagine this should tell it when it is full enough, but not enough water fills to even REACH this float, let alone make it float! But even with added water it didn't seem to help any. Beginning to think there are multiple problems!!
Would still appreciate any suggestions!

Another little update, on the same washing, I heard it sound a little "different" and opened it up, and sure enough the top arm was spinning. Same amount of barely there water. Closed the door, and it didn't start spinning again.

Hi,

A model#

Yes this one does not use the upper spray arm and lower spray arm at the same time....that noise difference is the wash motor reversing and a ball inside the pump assembly moves and redirects that water into the upper arm.

Wire diagram and has info on what spray arm works and when.... link is here...Acrobat reader required to view.

A copy:

**The pump assembly is driven by a 1/12 HP,
shaded pole motor. Rotation is in the
counterclockwise direction at 3100 to 3200 RPM.
The motor drives a pump which supplies 100
percent filtered water at a rate to approximately
12 GPM to one spray arm at a time. The spray
arm's operation is alternated by small "pauses"
of the motor during the wash cycle.**

The ball inside the pump assembly should be checked to make sure it is not gooked up, upper arm and hose should be checked to make sure they are clear, wash motor may need ot be checked to make sure the impellor is not cracked or loose on the shaft, fills should be recheked.

Some other/more info is here that may help as well.

jeff.

Awesome, so basically, there is probably nothing wrong with the upper wash arm, I'm just checking at the wrong time. I'm also assuming by stopping it when I open the door, this may allow the ball to fall back into place to direct it back to the lower??
Now if I can just figure out the water level problem maybe it will be all fine!

In reply to:

---

I'm also assuming by stopping it when I open the door, this may allow the ball to fall back into place to direct it back to the lower??

---

Chances are yes.

jeff.