Kenmore 665.15972, Kenmore 665.15974, Kenmore 665.15979, Kenmore 665.15973, Elite 665.15972 Use & Care Manual

E L ! T E

TM

Dishwasher

Use & Care Guide

Lavavajillas

Manual de uso y cuidado

Lave-vaisselle

Guide d'utilisation et d'entretien

Models/Modelos/Mod_les 665.15972, 15974, 15979, 15973

!"

Sears Roebuck and Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 U.S.A. www.sears.com

9744232A Sears Canada, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8 www.eears.ca

TABLEOF

CONTENTS

WE.SERVICE WHATWE SELL ..........._............................... 2

W,SBBANTY............ :::........:...................3

DISHWASHER S=A_ _._....... _....... ._ 4

Before Using Your Dishwasher .................. 5

P/g_lT__Rb P_.A_0"F_S-..._..:..:_.':........................... 6

ULTRA-WASH _SoiH_emovat System .........._ ................... 7

ST.AB_-JJP-.GUIDE .................................... :.r....................... 8

Using Your New Dishwasher ............................................. 8

LOADING YOUR DISHWASHER ........................................ 8

Loading Suggestions ......................................................... 8

Loading the Top Rack ....................................................... 9

Loading the Bottom Rack ................................................ 10

Utensil Caddy .................................................................. 11

Loading the Silverware Basket ........................................ 11

USING YOUR DISHWASHER ........................................... 12

Detergent Dispenser ........................................................ 12

RinseAid Dispenser......................................................... 13

Dishwasher Efficiency Tips .............................................. 14

Control Panel ................................................................... 15

Cycle Selection Chart ...................................................... 15

Canceling a Cycle ............................................................ 16

Changing a Cycle or Setting ............................................ 16

Adding Items During a Cycle ........................................... 16

Favorite Cycle .................................................................. 16

Option Selections ............................................................ 17

Cycle Status Indicators .................................................... 18

Active Vent ....................................................................... 19

Drying System .................................................................. 19

Overfill Protection Float ................................................... 19

WASHING SPECIAL ITEMS .............................................. 19

CARING FOR YOUR DISHWASHER ................................ 20

Cleaning Your Dishwasher .............................................. 20

Drain Air Gap ................................................................... 21

Storing Your Dishwasher................................................. 21

TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................... 22

WE SERVICE

WHAT WE SELL

"We Service What We Sell" isour assurance that you can
depend on Sears for service. Your dishwasher has added

value when you consider that Sears has service units

nationwide, staffed with professional technicians

specifically trained on Sears appliances and having the

parts, tools, and equipment to ensure that we meet our
pledge to you..."We Service What We Sell."

Sears Maintenance Agreement

Maintain the value of your KENMORE* Dishwasher with a

Sears Maintenance Agreement. Sears dishwashers are
designed, manufactured, and tested for years of
dependable operation. Yet, any modern appliance may

require service from time to time.

The Sears Maintenance Agreement

• Is your way to buy tomorrow's service at today's prices.

• Eliminates repair bills resulting from normal use.

• Allows for as many service calls as required.

• Provides for service by professional Sears Trained

Technicians.

• Even ifyou don't need repairs, the Maintenance
Agreement offers an annual preventative maintenance
check-up at your request!

This Maintenance Agreement does not cover original
installation, reinstallation, or damage resulting from
external causes such as acts of abuse, theft, tire, flood,
wind, lightning, freezing, power failure, power reduction,

etc.

To customize your dishwasher, you can order

• Door and access panel accessories

• Custom wood panel trim accessories to match
your dishwasher color

See back page of Installation Instructions that came with
your dishwasher for further information.

2

WARRANTY

FULL ONE-YEAR WARRANTY ON 970 SERIES
KENMORE ELITE* DISHWASHERS

For one year from the date of purchase, when this

dishwasher is installed and operated according to

instructions provided in the Installation Instructions and
Use & Care Guide, Sears will repair this dishwasher, free of

charge, if defective in material or workmanship.

FULL TWO-YEAR WARRANTY ON ELECTRONIC

CONTROL AND POWER SUPPLY BOARD

For two years from the date of purchase, when this

dishwasher is installed and operated according to

instructions provided in the Installation Instructions and
Use & Care Guide, Sears will repair or replace, free of
charge, the electronic module and power supply board if
defective in material or workmanship.

FULL WARRANTY FOR THE LIFE OF THE

DISHWASHER, ON ELITE STAINLESS STEEL
TUB MODELS, AGAINST LEAKS IN THE TUB
AND INNER DOOR PANEL

For the life of the dishwasher, if a leak should occur as a

result of rust-through of the stainless steel tub or inner
door panel, Sears will replace free of charge the tub or
inner door panel.

LIMITED FIVE YEAR WARRANTY ON UPPER
AND LOWER RACKS

After the first year and until five years from the date of
purchase, when the dishwasher is installed and operated

in accordance with the instructions provided in the
Installation Instructions and Use & Care Guide, Sears will
replace parts for the upper or lower dishrack if the rack
rusts due to defective materials or workmanship.
Customer assumes any labor costs associated with
dishrack replacement.

UMITED TWO-YEAR WARRANTY ON THE
ULTRA WASH*WASH SYSTEM

After the first year and until two years from the date of

purchase, when the dishwasher is installed and operated
in accordance with the instructions provided in the
Installation Instructions and Use & Care Guide, Sears will

replace any part of the ULTRA WASH wash system (motor,
pump, spray arms, ULTRAFLOW water feed tube, motor
seals and pump gasket) due to defective materials or
workmanship. Customer assumes any labor costs
associated with replacement of these parts..

If the dishwasher is subject to other than private family

use, the above warranty coverage is effective for only 90
days.

WARRANTY SERVICE IS AVAILABLE BY CONTACTING

THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE CENTER IN THE UNITED

STATES OR CANADA. This warranty applies only while the
product is in use in the United States or Canada. This

warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also
have other rights which vary from state to state or province

to province.

Warranty terms may vary in Canada.
For Sears warranty information inthe United States or

Canada call 1-800-469-4663.

Sears, Roebuck and Co.

D/817WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

Sears Canada, Inc.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2B8

In the space below, record your complete model number,

serial number, and purchase date. You can find this
information on the model and serial number label, located
as shown in the Parts and Features section of this book.
Have this information available to help you quickly obtain
assistance or service when you contact Sears concerning

your appliance.

Model number 665.
Serial number
Purchase date

Save these instructions and your sales receipt for
future reference.

DISHWASHER SAFETY

Your safety and the safety of others is very important.

We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all
safety messages.

This is the safety alert symbol,

This symbol alerts you to hazards that can kill or hurt you and others,
All safety messages will be preceded by the safety alert symbol and the word "DANGER" or

'_VARNING," These words mean:

You will be killed or seriously Injured if you don't
follow Instructions,

You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't
follow instructions.

All safety messages will identify the hazard, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury, and tell you what can
happen if the instructions are not followed.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING: When usingthe dishwasher, follow basic precautions, including the following:

• Read all instructions before using the dishwasher.

• Use the dishwasher only for its intended function.

• Use only detergents or rinse agents recommended

for use in a dishwasher, and keep them out of the

reach of children.

• When loading items to be washed:

1) Locate sharp items so that they are not likely to

damage the door seal; and

2) Load sharp knives with the handles up to reduce
the risk of cut-type injuries.

• Do not wash plastic items unlessthey are marked
"dishwasher safe" or the equivalent. For plastic

items not so marked, check the manufacturer's
recommendations.

• Do not touch the heating element during or

immediately after use.

• Do not operate the dishwasher unless all enclosure

panels are properly in place.

• Do not tamper with controls.

• Do not abuse, sit on, or stand on the door or dish

racks of the dishwasher.

• To reduce the risk of injury, do not allow children to
play in or on the dishwasher.

Under certain conditions, hydrogen gas may be
produced in a hot water system that has not been

used for two weeks or more. HYDROGEN GAS IS
EXPLOSIVE. If the hot water system has not been
used for such a period, before usingthe dishwasher

turn on all hot water faucets and let the water flow
from each for several minutes. This will release any
accumulated hydrogen gas. As the gas isflammable,
do not smoke or use an open flame during this time.

• Remove the door to the washing compartment when
removing an old dishwasher from service or
discarding it.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

4

BeforeUsingYourDishwasher

Tip Over Hazard
Do not use dishwasher until completely installed.
Do not push down on open door.
Doing so can result in serious injury or cuts.

Electrical Shock Hazard
Electrically ground dishwasher.
Connect ground wire to green ground connector

In terminal box.
Do not use an extension cord.
Failure to follow these instructions can result In

death, fire, or electrical shock.

GROUNDING INSTRUCTIONS

For a grounded, cord-connected dishwasher:
The dishwasher must be grounded. In the event

of a malfunction or breakdown, grounding will
reduce the risk of electric shock by providing a

path of least resistance for electric current, The
dishwasher isequipped with a cord havingan
equipment-grounding conductor and a grounding
plug. The plug must be plugged into an appro-

priate outlet that is installed and grounded in
accordance with all local codes and ordinances.

WARNING: Improper connection of the

equipment-grounding conductor can result in a
risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified
electrician or service representative if you are in
doubt whether the dishwasher isproperly
grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with
the dishwasher; if it will not fit the outlet, have a
proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.

• For a permanently connected dishwasher:

The dishwasher must be connected to a

grounded metal, permanent wiring system, or an
equipment-grounding conductor must be run
with the circuit conductors and connected to the
equipment-grounding terminal or lead on the

dishwasher.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

!

i

• Install where dishwasher is protected from the
elements. Protect against freezing to avoid possible

rupture of fill valve. Such ruptures are not covered by

the warranty. See "Storing Your Dishwasher" in the

"Caring for Your Dishwasher" section for winter storage
information.

• Install and level dishwasher on a floor that will hold the
weight, and in an area suitable for its size and use.

• Remove all shipping plugs from hoses and connectors

(such as the cap on the drain outlet) before installing.
See Installation Instructions for complete information.

5

PARTS AND FEATURES

2

12

3

13

4

14

5

15

6

• 16

8

18

9

19

10

2O

1. Upper level wash

2. Fold-down tines

3. Top rack

4. Model and serial number label

5. Fold-down tines

6. Water inlet opening [in tub wall]

7. Lower spray arm

8. Utensil caddy

9. Bottom rack

10. Active vent

11. Combo cup shelf

12. Top spray arm

13. NO-FLIP* clips

14. ULTRA FLOW* water feed tube

15. Silverware basket

16. ULTRA WASH* module

17. Overfill protection float

18. Heating element

19. Rinse aid dispenser

20. Detergent dispenser

Control Panel

f

FAVORITECYCLI£SEt SENSING WASHING WATqERHe.A'nN6 RINSING DRYING SANICOMP_TE CLEAN

CYCLES OPTIONS

HOURS

2 4 6

II) 4D

LOCKOa R=ir'_A=0Ew_

6

ULTRAWASH*Soil

RemovalSystem

The ULTRA WASH soil removal system gives you sparkling
clean dishes, while using less energy and time. The ULTRA

WASH soil removal system includes:

• A heavy-duty grinder that acts as a food disposer to
grind and dispose of large food particles.

• An ULTRA WASH sensor to monitor soil level and
adjust the cycles as needed.

• An Automatic Temperature Control (ATC)that ensures

the proper water temperature for the selected wash
cycle, and soil level of the load.

How the ULTRA WASH soil removal system
works:

1. Load the dishwasher. Remove bones, large chunks or

burned-on food. No rinsingis necessary. Any remaining
food soil will be ground up and disposed down the
drain with the rinse water.

2. Hot water fills the dishwasher to a level near the bottom

of the overfill protection float.

3. The Water Heating indicator glows, and the dishwasher
pauses while the water is heated.

4. When the water reaches the proper temperature, the

Water Heating indicator turns off and the cycle

resumes.

5. Detergent from the detergent dispenser is dispensed at

the correct cycle times and hot water is pumped
through the ULTRA WASH pump.

6. Hot water and detergent sprays against the soiled

surfaces of the load and removes food particles.

7. Food soil is held in an accumulating chamber.

8. Food soil is disposed down the drain with the wash

water.

9. Fresh, hot water enters the dishwasher and sprays on
the dishes. The rinsewater isthen pumped through the
ULTRA WASH soil removal system and remaining soil is

removed.

1O.The food soil that is held in the ULTRA WASH soil

removal system is disposed down the drain with the
rinse water.

11.The final rinse water is heated. The rinse aid is added to
the water for the final rinse to prepare the dishes for

drying,

How the ULTRA WASH Sensor and the
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) work:

1. The SENSING indicator glows when the ULTRA WASH

Sensor is measuring the amount of soil in the

dishwasher.

2,

3.

After the soil level is determined, unnecessary portions
of the cycle are skipped.

The ATC adjusts the water temperature throughout the
cycle depending upon the soil level detected. Higher

water temperatures are used to improve cleaning with

heavier soiled loads.

!

i

7

START-UP GUIDE

Before using your dishwasher, remove all hang tags,

temporary labels, and packaging materials. Read this

entire Use and Care Guide. You will find important safety
information and useful operating tips.

UsingYourNewDishwasher

1. Scrape large food soil and hard items (toothpicks or

bones) from dishes.

2. Properly load the dishwasher. (See "Loading Your
Dishwasher.") Make sure nothing prevents the spray
arm(s) from spinning freely.

\

3. Add detergent and check the rinse aid dispenser. Add
rinse aid if needed. (See "Using Your Dishwasher.")

4. Push door firmly closed. The door latches

automatically. Run hot water at the sink nearest your
dishwasher until the water is hot. (See "Dishwasher

Efficiency Tips.") Turn off water.

5. Press the desired cycle and option selections. (See
"Using Your Dishwasher.") Press START.

LOADING YOUR

DISHWASHER

LoadingSuggestions

Remove leftover food, bones, toothpicks and other
hard items from the dishes, it is not necessary to rinse
the dishes before putting them inthe dishwasher.The
wash module removes food particles from the water.
The module contains a chopping device which will

reduce the size of food items.

NOTE: If hard items such as fruit seeds, nuts, and egg

shells enter the wash module, you might hear chopping,

grinding, crunching, or buzzing sounds. These sounds
are normal when hard items enter the module. Do not lel
metallic items (such as pot handle screws) get into the

wash module. Damage can occur.

Load dishes so soiled surfaces face the spray (down or
inward). It is important for the water spray to reach all

soiled surfaces.
Load dishes so they are not stacked or overlapping if

possible. For best drying, water must be able to drain
from all surfaces.

Load heavy pots and pans carefully. Heavy items can

dent the stainless steel interior of the door if they are
dropped or bumped.

Make sure pot lids and handles, pizza pans, cookie
sheets, etc., do not interfere with the spray arm
rotation.

Run a rinse cycle to keep dishes moist if you do not
plan to wash them soon. Foods like eggs, rice, pasta,
spinach, and cooked cereals may be hard to remove if
they are left to dry over a period of time.

Quiet operating tips
To avoid thumping/clattering noises during operation:

• Make sure lightweight load items are secured in the

racks.

• Make sure pot lids and handles, pizza pans, cookie

sheets, etc., do not touch interior walls or interfere with
the rotation of the spray arm.

• Load dishes so they do not touch one another.
NOTE: For built-in models, keep sinkdrain plugs closed

during dishwasher operation to prevent noise transfer
through drains.

8