UseAndCare
A Note to You ........................ 2
Dishwasher Safety ................ 3
Parts and Features ................ 4
Starting Your Dishwasher ..... 5
Loading Your Dishwasher ..... 6
Using the Dispensers .......... 10
Setting the Controls ............. 12
Selecting a wash cycle ..... 12
Using CANCEL/DRAIN ..... 13
Selecting cycle options .... 13
Changing a cycle or
option setting ................... 14
Adding a dish during a
cycle ................................. 14
Understanding the status
indicators ......................... 15
Washing Special Items ........ 16
Connecting a Portable
Dishwasher ........................... 17
Caring for Your
Dishwasher ........................... 19
Saving Energy ...................... 21
Solving Common
Dishwashlng Problems ........ 22
Troubleshooting ................... 25
Requesting Assistance
or Service .............................. 26
Index ...................................... 30
Warranty ............................... 32
DISHWASHER MODEL SERIES 920
PART NO. 3373752 Rev. A
1-800-253-1301
Call our Consumer Assistance Center
with questions or comments.
_/qS
A Note to You
Thank you for buying a Whirlpool e appliance.
Because your life is getting busier and more complicated, Whirlpool dishwashers are easy
to use, save time, and help you manage your home better. To ensure you enjoy years of
trouble-free operation, we developed this Use and Care Guide. It contains valuable
information about how to operate and maintain your appliance properly and safely. Please
read it carefully.
Also, please complete and mail the Ownership Registration Card provided with your
appliance. This card helps us notify you about any new information on your appliance.
Please record your model's information.
Whenever you call to request service for
your appliance, you need to know your
complete model number and serial number.
You can find this information on the model
and serial number label (see diagram on
page 4 for location of label).
Please also record the purchase date of
your appliance and your dealer's name,
address, and telephone number.
Keep this book and the sales slip together in a safe place for future reference.
Model Number
Serial Number
Purchase Date
Dealer Name
Dealer Address
Dealer Phone
I Our Consumer Assistance Centernumber is toll-free 24 hours a day.
Help us help you
Please:
• Have your dishwasher installed by a •
qualified installer.
• Install where dishwasher is protected from
the elements. •
• Install and level dishwasher on a floor that
will hold the weight, and in an area suitable
for its size and use.
• Properly connect dishwasher to electricity,
water, and drain.*
* See Installation Instructions for complete
information.
• Make sure dishwasher is not used by
• Properly maintain dishwasher. See
1-800-253-1301
I
Remove all shipping plugs from hoses
and connectors (such as the cap on the
drain outlet) before installing.*
Remove all hang tags and temporary
labels.
anyone unable to operate it properly.
pages 19-20.
Dishwasher Safety
Your safety is important to us.
This guide contains safety statements under
warning symbols. Please pay special
attention to these symbols and follow any
instructions given. Here is a brief explana-
tion of the use of the warning symbol.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
To reduce the risk of fire, electrical shock, or injury
when using your dishwasher, follow basic precautions
including the following:
• Read all instructions before using
the dishwasher.
• Use your dishwasher only for the
uses described in this manual.
• DISHWASHER MUST BE ELECTRI-
CALLY GROUNDED. Read the
Installation Instructions for details.
*When discarding an old dishwasher,
always remove the door to prevent
accidental entrapment or suffocation.
• Use ONLY detergents and rinse
agents recommended for use in a
dishwasher.
• Store dishwasher detergent in a cool,
dry place WHERE CHILDREN CAN'T
REACH IT.
• When loading items to be washed:
- Load sharp items and knives with
the handles up to reduce risk of cut-
type injuries.
- Locate sharp items and knives so
that they are not likely to damage
the door or tub.
• DO NOT let children play in or on
the dishwasher.
• DO NOT reach into the area below
the bottom rack until the heating
element has cooled for at least
20 minutes.
- SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS -
• DO NOT wash plastic items unless
marked "Dishwasher Safe" or the equiva-
lent. If not marked, check manufacturer's
recommendations.
• DO NOT use your dishwasher unless all
enclosure panels are properly in place.
• DO NOT sit on, stand on, or abuse the
dishwasher door or dishracks.
• DO NOT tamper with controls.
• If hot water has not been used recently
(usually two weeks or longer), hydrogen
gases may build up in the water heater
and the hot water pipes. HYDROGEN
GAS IS EXPLOSIVE. To prevent injury
or damage, before using your dish-
washer, turn on all hot water faucets and
allow water to run for several minutes.
This will allow gases to escape. Do not
smoke or use any open flame near the
faucet while it is open.
• DO NOT store or use gasoline or other
flammable vapors and liquids in the
vicinity of this or any other appliance.
The fumes can create a fire hazard
or explosion.
• Disconnect electrical power to the
dishwasher before attempting to service.
3
Parts and Features
Your dishwasher is illustrated below with the parts and features called out. To help you find
information on specific parts or features quickly, page references are included.
Third level wash
(p. 8)
Adjustable top rack
(p. 9)
Water inlet opening Spray tower
(p.8) (p.8)
rack adjuster
(p. 9)
Upper spray arm
(p.8)
Rack bumper .serial number label
(p. 8) (on right side)
Bottom rack POWER CLEAN TM
(p. 8) (p. 31)
Heating element
I
Silverware Overfill protector
basket (p. 20)
(p. 7)
Door latc
Door color paner
*See Installation Instructions
for more information.
Model and
module
Lower spray arm
(p.8)
Detergent
dispensers
(p.10)
Rinse agent
dispenser
(p. 11)
Access paneP
Control panel
Your dishwasher has a row of push pads to select cycles and options. You must select a
cycle to start your dishwasher. You may select one or more options.
Status
Indicators
Starting Your Dishwasher
This section tells you how to start or stop your dishwasher. Refer to it for quick reference.
Starting a wash cycle
1. Load the dishwasher. See pages 6-9.
5. Close door firmly until it latches.
2. Spin the spray arms. They should
turn freely.
3. Add detergent. See page 10.
4. Add rinse agent, if needed. See page 11.
Stopping the dishwasher
You can stop your dishwasher anytime
during a cycle. All you have to do is:
• Open the door slightly. Wait for any filling
or spraying action to stop before opening
the door all the way. Close door to con-
tinue cycle.
OR
• Press CANCEL/DRAIN. Once pressed, a
2-minute drain starts. (See page 13.)
6. Run hot water at the sink nearest the
Turn water off. (See page 21 .)
dishwasher until water is hot.
7. Press a Cycle pad. If desired, press one
pages 12-13.) The dishwasher
I_ °r m°re Opti°n pads" (See
may press Option pads as the machine
is filling.
The pad indicator glows red when a cycle
starts filling once you press a
cycle pad unless you select
the delay wash cycle. You
or an option is selected.
5
Loading Your Dishwasher
This section tells how to properly load your dishwasher for best washing and rinsing results.
Preparing to load the dishwasher
• To save water and energy, do not rinse
dishes before putting them into the
dishwasher.
• Remove large pieces of food, bones, and
other hard items. The POWER CLEAN TM
module removes food particles from the
water. The module contains a chopping
device which reduces the size of food items.
NOTE: If hard items such as fruit seeds,
nuts, and egg shells enter the POWER
CLEAN module, you might hear chopping,
grinding, crunching, or buzzing sounds.
Those sounds are normal when hard items
enter the module. Do not let metallic items
(such as pot handle screws) get into the
POWER CLEAN module. Damage can
occur.
• Foods like eggs, rice, pasta, and cooked
cereals may be hard to remove if left to dry
over a period of time. Run a RINSE/WASH
LATER cycle to keep dishes moist if you
do not plan to wash them soon.
• Load dishes so soiled surfaces face the
rotating spray arm.
• Load dishes so they are not stacked or
overlapping. It is important for the water
spray to reach all soiled surfaces for best
washing. For best drying, water must be
able to drain from all surfaces.
Loading for quiet operation
• Secure lightweight load items in the racks.
• Pot lids and handles, pizza pans, cookie
sheets, etc., should not touch interior
walls, interfere with the spray arm's
rotation, or cover the spray tower.
• Load dishes so they do not touch one
another.
NOTE: Keep sink drain plugs inserted
during dishwasher operation to prevent
noise transfer through drains.
6
Loading the silverware basket
Personal Injury Hazard
Load sharp items (knives, forks,
skewers, etc.) with the point down.
Failure to do so could cause personal
injury.
• Load the silverware basket while it is in the
door or take the basket out for loading on
a counter or table.
• Mix items in each section of the basket
with some pointing up and some down to
avoid nesting. Spray cannot reach nested
items. However, always load sharp items
(knives, skewers, forks, etc.) pointing
down.
• Put small items (baby bottle caps, jar lids,
etc.) in any section.
• You can also remove the basket for easy
unloading. Always unload or remove the
basket before unloading the racks to avoid
spillingwater on the silverware.
To remove the basket:
1. Grab the basket by the handle and slide it
toward the top of the door.
2. Liftthe basket off the holding buttons.
To replace the basket:
1. Set the basket on the holding buttons.
2. Slide the basket towards the bottom of
the door until it locks in place.
To open the basket:
• Unhook the latch as shown.
NOTE: Be sure the cover is completely
latched before pulling out the bottom rack
and before closing the dishwasher door.
Loading the bottom rack
Load items with cooked-on or dried-on food
in the bottom rack, with soiled surfaces
facing inward to the spray.
Mixed load
• Load plates, soup bowls, etc., between
prongs and facing inward to the spray.
• Make sure pot handles and other items do
not stop rotation of the spray arms. Spray
arms must move freely.
• Load items so they do not block or cover
the spray tower.
• Load heavily-soiled cookware face down
in the rack.
• Do not stack or overlap dishes. Water
spray must reach all soiled surfaces for
best results.
Utensil load
• Load cookie sheets, cake pans, and other
large items at sides and back. Loading
such items in front may keep water spray
from reaching detergent dispenser and
silverware basket.
NOTE:
• Do not load glasses, cups, or plastic items
in the bottom rack.
• Do not load items between the bottom rack
and the side of the dishwasher tub. This
can block the water inlet opening.
• If you have removed the bottom rack for
unloading or cleaning, replace it with
bumpers in front.
Mixed load
Do not cover spray tower
Utensil load
Bumpers must
face dishwasher door
Loading the top rack
Load the top rack with cups, glasses, and
smaller items. Do not cover the third level
wash when loading the top rack.
Cup and glass load
• Load so open ends face down for cleaning
and draining.
• Load glasses in top rack only - bottom
rack is not designed for glasses. Damage
can occur.
8
Cup and
glass load
Do not cover third level wash
• Place items in the rows between prongs.
Placing them over the prongs may lead
to breakage.
• Secure lightweight items.
• China, crystal, and other delicate items
must not touch each other during dish-
washer operation. Damage may occur.
Mixed load
• Small bowls, pans, and other utensils can
be placed in the top rack.
• Load plastic items in the top rack only.
Plastic items may melt in the bottom rack.
• Wash only plastic items marked "dish-
washer safe".
• Load plastic items so the force of the spray
does not move them during the cycle.
Infinite adjustable top rack
(on some models)
Raise or lower the rack to fit tall items in
either the top or bottom rack. The top rack
does not have to be level.
• Turn the knob clockwise to raise a side of
the rack.
• Turn the knob counterclockwise to lower a
side of the rack.
Adjustable 3-position top rack
(on some models)
You can raise or lower the rack to fit tall
items in either the top or bottom rack. The
high and low positions are marked on the
adjuster on the side facing the center of the
dishwasher.
1. Hold top rack with one hand near adjuster.
2. Pull top of adjuster lever out with other
hand.
3. Lift or lower rack to one of the preset
positions.
4. Release adjuster lever.
5. Repeat Steps 1-4 for the three remaining
adjusters as needed. The four adjusters
can be raised or lowered separately or
together, as desired. The top rack does
not have to be level.
Mixed load
Do not cover third level wash
Raise
Lower
11first
Then adjust