Kenmore 66513272K117 dishwasher Parts

On the Kenmore 66513272K117 dishwasher, a red lock (padlock) light means the Control Lock option is turned on, so the buttons will not respond and the dishwasher will not start. Turn Control Lock off by pressing and holding CONTROL LOCK for 3 seconds.

How to turn Control Lock off (and back on)

Follow the steps in the 66513272K117 owner's manual.

• To turn Control Lock on: press and hold CONTROL LOCK for 3 seconds until the lock light turns on.
• To turn Control Lock off: press and hold CONTROL LOCK for 3 seconds until the lock light turns off.
• If you press any button while locked, the lock light typically flashes 3 times.
• The door can still be opened and closed while the controls are locked.

What to check if the lock light keeps coming back

If the lock indicator turns on again after you clear it, these are the most common causes:

• A button is being held down by a damp cloth, stuck overlay, or heavy cleaning pressure.
• Someone is accidentally pressing and holding CONTROL LOCK while wiping the control panel.
• The cycle is being restarted after opening the door; you may need to press START again to resume.
• Moisture on the keypad is causing false touches; dry the panel and try again.

Quick reference

Symptom	What it usually means	What to do
Red lock light on	Control Lock is enabled	Hold CONTROL LOCK 3 seconds
Buttons don’t respond	Controls are disabled by lock	Unlock, then select cycle and press START
Lock light flashes	A button was pressed while locked	Unlock first

Why it matters

Control Lock prevents unintended starts and option changes between cycles. If it is on, the dishwasher cannot start, even if the door is closed and a cycle is selected.

Last updated: January 2026

To reset the control on your Kenmore dishwasher model 66513272K117 (Ultra Wash Quiet Guard), press CANCEL/DRAIN twice, then choose a new cycle and press START. This clears the current cycle and lets you restart from the beginning; see the steps in the 66513272K117 owner's manual.

Reset steps (control reset)

1. Open the door slightly to stop the cycle; wait for spraying to stop.
2. Open the door fully.
3. Press CANCEL/DRAIN two times to reset the control.
4. Select your new cycle and options.
5. Press START.

What you should see and hear

• The Cancel/Drain light turns on after pressing CANCEL/DRAIN.
• If water is in the bottom, the dishwasher runs a drain cycle.
• The drain portion can take about 2 minutes.
• Close the door promptly after canceling so the drain can run.

If the buttons still do not respond

These quick checks solve most “dead keypad” or “won’t reset” complaints:

• Make sure the door is fully latched; a loose latch can prevent START or CANCEL from working.
• Try a power reset: turn the breaker off for 1 minute, then back on.
• Look for a stuck key (a button that feels jammed or stays pressed).
• If the dishwasher is beeping or showing a service condition, check Kenmore 665 model dishwasher error codes.
• If the unit will not drain during reset, inspect the drain path and consider the dishwasher drain pump WPW10348269 if the pump is noisy or not running.

Quick comparison: control reset vs power reset

Reset type	What it does	When to use
CANCEL/DRAIN twice	Resets the cycle and control logic	Wrong cycle selected, need to restart, cycle stuck
Breaker off/on	Reboots the control board	Keypad not responding, control seems frozen

Why it matters

A proper reset clears a stuck cycle, forces a drain when needed, and prevents restarting with an open detergent dispenser (which can reduce cleaning performance on the next cycle).

Last updated: January 2026

On Kenmore dishwasher model 66513272K117, the START button often seems “not working” when the door is not latched fully, the controls are locked, or the door is not closed within the required time after pressing START. Follow the steps below to restore normal starting.

Quick checks that fix most START issues

• Press START, then close the door within 3 seconds; if you wait longer, the cycle will not start.
• If you opened the door mid-cycle (even briefly), press START again, then close the door within 3 seconds to resume.
• Check for Control Lock; when it is on, all buttons are disabled.
• Close the door firmly until you feel the latch engage; a weak latch can prevent starting.
• If the dishwasher is unresponsive, reset power by turning the breaker off for about 5 minutes, then try again.

Control Lock and door timing (most common)

Your model uses a safety logic that requires a quick door close after pressing START. If the door is not closed within 3 seconds, the START indicator can flash and the cycle will not begin. Control Lock can also make it look like the START button failed because it disables the keypad.

Refer to the exact button sequence and indicator behavior in the 66513272K117 owner’s manual.

When a part is likely involved

If you consistently have to slam the door, the dishwasher starts only when you push on the door, or it stops when bumped, the latch assembly is a common cause.

• Door won’t “click” shut: inspect the latch strike area and latch alignment
• Starts, then immediately stops: latch switch inside the latch may be failing
• Buttons light up but won’t start: latch not proving “door closed” to the control

Relevant part for this model:

Symptom	What to check	Common fix
START won’t initiate cycle	Door not latching or switch not closing	Replace dishwasher door latch WPW10653840

Why it matters

The dishwasher will not run the wash motor or advance a cycle unless it confirms the door is closed and the controls are enabled. That protects you from leaks and prevents the unit from running with the door open.

Last updated: January 2026

Common problems on the Kenmore 66513272K117 dishwasher are usually tied to water flow, heating, and door-start safety: it may not start if the door is not fully latched, it may leave water in the tub if draining is restricted, and it may clean or dry poorly when spray and heat functions are limited. See the 66513272K117 owner's manual for model-specific troubleshooting steps.

Most common symptoms and what they usually mean

• Won’t start or stops mid-cycle: door not closed and latched, Start needs to be pressed again after closing the door, or power issue.
• Water remains in the tub (won’t drain): restricted drain path (filter area, hose routing, air gap), or a failing drain pump.
• Detergent left in dispenser or tablet on tub bottom: cycle not completed, detergent is old/lumpy, or loading blocks the dispenser.
• Poor cleaning (food soils remain): spray arm holes blocked, filter area dirty, or loading prevents water from reaching dishes.
• Not drying well: rinse aid not used, plastic items retain water, or Heated Dry not selected.
• Cycle runs too long: normal on many cycles (often up to about 3 hours), especially if incoming water is cool and the dishwasher must heat it.

Quick checks we recommend first (fast, no tools)

• Close the door firmly; if the Start light is blinking, close the door and press Start.
• Run hot water at the nearest faucet before starting; 120°F (49°C) supply temperature works best.
• Confirm the cycle actually completed before unloading (many models pause repeatedly during a cycle).
• Check loading so large dishes do not interfere with the wash system at the back of the tub.
• Use fresh detergent and add rinse aid for better drying.

Common problem-to-part mapping (when a part is needed)

Symptom	Common suspect	Example part for this model
Won’t start	Door not latching	Dishwasher door latch WPW10653840
Won’t drain	Drain pump weak or jammed	Dishwasher drain pump WPW10348269
Not drying, poor heating	Heater not heating	Element assembly W10518394
Poor cleaning	Spray arm clogged or damaged	Dishwasher spray arm WPW10491331

Why it matters

Catching the root cause early prevents repeat wash cycles, reduces standing water and odors, and helps protect key components like the circulation pump, heater, and electronic control.

Last updated: January 2026