What does red lock mean on a dishwasher?
On the Kenmore 66513742K604 dishwasher, a red lock (padlock) light means the Lock On (control lock) feature is turned on, so the buttons are disabled. Turn it off by pressing and holding HEATED DRY for about 4 seconds until the Lock On light goes out (see the 66513742K604 owner's manual).
When Lock On is lit, the dishwasher ignores most button presses to prevent accidental changes.
- All control pads are disabled while Lock On is active
- If you press a pad while locked, the light can flash multiple times
- You can still open the door while the controls are locked
- To continue a cycle after opening the door, unlock first, then press Start/Resume
Use these steps for Kenmore 66513742K604:
- Press and hold HEATED DRY for 4 seconds.
- Confirm the Lock On light turns off.
- Press Start/Resume if you are trying to restart or continue a cycle.
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Red lock light on | Controls are locked | Hold HEATED DRY 4 seconds |
| Red lock light off | Controls are unlocked | Select cycle and press Start/Resume |
| Lock light flashes when you press buttons | Dishwasher is still locked | Unlock using HEATED DRY |
Lock On prevents unintended cycle changes (for example, from bumping the control panel or children pressing buttons). If the lock is on, the dishwasher can look “dead” even though it has power.
Last updated: January 2026
How to do a hard reset on a Kenmore dishwasher?
To hard reset a Kenmore dishwasher like model 66513742K604, we recommend using the built-in Cancel/Drain reset: press CANCEL/DRAIN and let the dishwasher run the full 2-minute drain (door closed). This clears the current cycle and options so you can restart cleanly; see the 66513742K604 owner's manual.
- Close the dishwasher door fully (the unit must be closed to drain).
- Press CANCEL/DRAIN once.
- Wait about 2 minutes for the drain to complete.
- Confirm the Cancel/Drain light turns off.
- Select your new cycle and options.
- Press START/RESUME.
If you are past the first minute of a cycle, the reset is the same, but follow this order:
- Press CANCEL/DRAIN and let it drain completely.
- Refill detergent if needed (a new cycle needs properly filled dispensers).
- Close the door until it latches.
- Choose a new cycle and press START/RESUME.
| Reset type | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel/Drain reset | Stops the current cycle, drains (if needed), clears selections | Unit won’t advance, wrong cycle selected, needs a fresh start |
| Power reset (breaker) | Reboots the control if it is unresponsive | Control panel frozen or not responding to buttons |
A proper Cancel/Drain reset prevents starting a new wash with the wrong options, leftover water in the tub, or a partially completed cycle. It is also the safest first step before troubleshooting parts like the dishwasher electronic control board WPW10285179 or a drain issue.
Last updated: January 2026
Where is the filter on a Kenmore quiet guard dishwasher?
On the Kenmore 66513742K604 Quiet Guard dishwasher, the filter is part of the wash module (the triple action filtration system) located in the bottom of the tub under the lower rack. You access it by removing the lower rack and lifting out the filter area components per the 66513742K604 owner’s manual.
- Turn the dishwasher off at the control panel.
- Pull out and remove the lower rack.
- Look at the bottom of the tub where the spray arm and sump area are located.
- Locate the filtration area (part of the wash module) where food particles are collected and filtered.
- Let the unit cool if it just finished a heated dry cycle (hot vapor can be present).
- Remove any large debris (bones, toothpicks, seeds) by hand first.
- Avoid letting metallic items (like loose screws) drop into the sump area.
- Keep the overfill protection float (front right corner) in place and moving freely.
The filtration system is designed to handle normal food soil, so routine cleaning is mainly about removing hard items that can cause noise or block water flow.
- Remove hard debris you can see (seeds, eggshells, toothpicks).
- Rinse filter pieces with warm water if they are coated.
- Do not force parts that “set in” rather than clip in; align and reseat them carefully.
- If you hear grinding or crunching, check the filter area for hard items.
| What you notice | What it usually means | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Poor cleaning | Spray not reaching surfaces | Filter area and spray arm movement |
| Grit on dishes | Soil not being filtered well | Debris in wash module/filter area |
| Unusual grinding/buzzing | Hard items in sump | Seeds, nuts, eggshells |
| Poor drying | Water not draining off surfaces | Loading and drainage path |
A clear filter area helps the wash module circulate and filter water correctly, which improves cleaning performance and reduces noise from debris getting into the sump.
Last updated: January 2026
What are common problems with Kenmore dishwashers?
Common problems with Kenmore dishwashers like model 66513742K604 include not starting or stopping mid-cycle, not filling, water left in the tub, poor drying, and unusual grinding or buzzing noises. Many issues trace back to door latching, power supply, water supply, loading, or a worn pump or heater.
- Won’t start or stops during a cycle: door not fully latched, cycle selection issue, or a power interruption
- START/RESUME light flashing: door opened during the cycle or power was interrupted; the cycle needs to be resumed
- Won’t fill with water: water shutoff valve closed or the overfill float stuck
- Water remains in the bottom: drain path issue (including disposer knockout plug not removed during installation)
- Dishes not dry: rinse aid empty, overloaded racks, or air-dry setting used instead of heated dry
- Grinding, grating, crunching, buzzing: a hard object in the wash module; if it continues after a full cycle, service is typically needed
Before replacing parts, we recommend these fast, high-impact checks from the troubleshooting guidance:
- Confirm the door is fully closed and latched
- Verify the cycle is selected correctly, then press START/RESUME if the light is flashing
- Check the home breaker/fuse, then restore power if tripped
- Make sure the water shutoff valve is on
- Press the overfill protection float down to ensure it moves freely
- If water is left in the tub, confirm the drain installation is correct (especially if connected to a disposer)
If the basic checks do not resolve the issue, these parts are commonly involved on dishwashers in this design family:
| Symptom | Common part to inspect | Example part for 66513742K604 |
|---|---|---|
| Not heating, poor drying, long cycles | Heating circuit | Dishwasher heating element W10518394 |
| Not draining, water left in tub | Drain pump or drain path | Dishwasher drain pump WPW10348269 |
| Won’t fill or fills slowly | Water inlet valve | Dishwasher water inlet valve WPW10327249 |
| Dead unit or intermittent power | Fuse or wiring | Fuse W10258275 |
Catching the root cause early helps prevent repeat cycle failures, standing water odors, and poor cleaning or drying performance. It also helps you avoid replacing good parts when the real issue is a door latch, power interruption, or a closed water valve.
For model-specific operating steps, cycle behavior, and troubleshooting, use the 66513742K604 owner's manual.
Last updated: January 2026





