Components:

The motor and pump system

Your dishwasher has at least one motor. It is attached to a pump, which forces the water up into the sprayer arms. During the drain cycle, it also pushes the water out of the dishwasher…down the drain. A few European dishwashers use two separate motors, one for spraying and one for draining.

The controls, switches, valves, and solenoids

A dishwasher has at least three, but often six or more controls, switches, valves and solenoids. Timers, selector switches, water-inlet valves, float switches, soap and/or dispensers, drain solenoids, thermostats, soil sensors, door switch, drying fan, and the heating element are all potential types of items that fall in this category. You can find more details about each of these types controls at RepairClinic.com's site

The interior

The dishwasher interior contains the dish racks, the spray arms, and/or the tower that sprays water at the dishes, the upper part of the pump assembly, and the water filter.

Principle: A dishwasher works similar to a robot going through cycles after we load in our dishes. The timers and controls are like self-monitoring systems to make sure the cycle runs smooth.

1. Fills itself with water
2. Heats the water to the appropriate temperature
3. Automatically opens the detergent dispenser at the right time
4. Shoots the water through jets to get the dishes clean
5. Drains the dirty water
6. Sprays more water on the dishes to rinse them
7. Drains itself again
8. Heats the air to dry the dishes off, if the user has selected that setting
   

Dishwasher Buying Tips

1. Dishwashers come in a variety of types and sizes, so understanding your available space will help select the best model for you. Do you have room for a 30"good for a large family, or would the standard 24" fit better. A good choice for an apartment is the 18" model, which fits better in smaller spaces. The amount of space you have will also help decide whether a built-in, portable or countertop model is the right choice for you.
   
2. Durability and special features will determine the ultimate cost of the dishwasher. The higher end models have better energy ratings and more rugged parts. Models that are more expensive have metal basins, self-cleaning filters, and some include small grinders that grind up large chunks so they drain with the dirty water. The more you pay for the dishwasher, the more flexibility and adjustability will be available, with collapsible racks, folding tines, extra shelves, and removable racks for loading outside the machine.
3. Dishwasher performance is influenced by the number of water jets and where and how the jets of water are distributed during the washing cycle. A three tier system will provide a good washing and more levels will ensure even better coverage. The more cycles a machine has the higher the price will be. Electronic sensors are definitely nice to have features

Tricks to Keep Your Dishwasher Maintained

Interior cleaning & deodorizing
You don't need to clean the interior of your dishwasher if you use it regularly. If it goes un-used for a week or more and begins to mold or smell bad, you can clean it by using a special dishwasher cleaner like Glisten available on the RepairClinic.com site.

Exterior cleaning
Just clean the exterior of your dishwasher with a damp sponge and a little dish detergent.

Dish rack repairs
If the plastic coating wears off of the tines of the dish racks in your dishwasher, they may corrode and rust. The rust can eventually damage your dishwasher and your dishes. Repair kits can be found at RepairClinic.com.

Filter cleaning
On many dishwashers, there's a filter near the bottom, or under the lower spray arm that needs to be cleaned regularly. If you have this sort of filter, check your owner's manual to find out how to remove and clean it. If it has holes in it, replace it to protect the pump and motor seals from particles that may be in the dishwasher.

Spray arm cleaning
Over time, the small holes in the spray arm(s) of your dishwasher may become clogged with bits of paper, toothpicks, glass, etc. Your dishwasher will do a better job of cleaning your dishes if you take a moment to clean out these small holes, from time to time.