Bosch Top Not Cleaning and Upper Arm not Spinning SHE3AR52UC/08

My dishwasher was not cleaning the top. The top arm was not spinning, since the water pressure was too low. The water inlet valve was the root cause. The valve worked and water would pass through, but it did not let enough water through.

I tested the system by adding about a 1/2 gallon of water after the water inlet valve was finished "filling" the dishwasher. Once the dishwasher is working, open the door to see if what is being sprayed from the top arm.

Bosch Not Cleaning and Upper Arm not Spinning SHE3AR52UC/08.

[headonswivel]

I can’t thank you enough for your video. I am a 69-year-old woman, not the handiest in the world, but I’d like to see if I can fix things on my own. I tried everything I could think of to get the top arm to spin. Water was coming out and I couldn’t figure it out till I saw your video. That’s the good news. The bad news is I don’t think I can fix this on my own. What I do now when the washer starts as I throw an extra water. I don’t know if that’s gonna work long-term. I’ll probably have to get someone but again thank you so very much for solving this mystery .

[Bill-]

Great video. For me, ended up being something different. I tried a number of things, cleaning, troubleshooting, ick. What finally ended up being the issue was removing the circulation pump and found a plastic wrapper lodged in the intake. Removing that got it working back to 100%.

[jayroller]

Thank you for the video!

I had basically no water pressure, determined by the top arm not spinning and also not a lot of water in the basin.

So I added water, about 1/2 gallon and it started spinning the top arm.

Took the water valve off and apart to find the filter full of gunk.

Cleaned up the filter and all back together working flawlessly.

Thank you again! ✌️

[josephstrain]

Dishes on bottom were mostly clean but dishes on top had not been cleaned at all. Water was not getting to the top sprayer arm, as it was not clogged and the arm was not turning (checked by opening door while unit was washing, as you suggested.) I then added the 1/2 gallon gallon of water in bottom of washer, also as you suggested, to see if it would get enough water and pressure to top arm to make it spray and spin. This time when I opened the door it was getting water and spinning. I will order the "water inlet valve." Until it arrives, I will keep adding the 1/2 gallon of extra water into the bottom so I can keep using the machine to clean my dishes. Thanks for posting. I subscribed.

[JamesMartin]

Thanks for your help! One thing other people might want to check first. I focused on the water inlet valve after watching this video, but before buying and replacing it, I unscrewed it and found the little plastic filter on it had a lot of silt in it. I took it out and cleaned it off and re-assembled, and now it works good as new! Didn't need to buy a new part.

[tomharrigan]

Saw the post, did the checks as described, the arm position and water addition test, to diagnose the problem. Bought the part, did the install in 15 min or so...Bamm, great water pressure, opened the dishwasher during first after repair trial, OMG, water spraying everywhere, had to shut the door quick. So TY for the post and the instructions, dishwasher back on line.

[stevesether]

Thank you. With your video I was able to diagnose the problem with my 8 year old Bosch, and the part is now on order. I've now been able to fix 2 major appliances myself (Dishwasher and Central AC) without needing to call a service guy, or buy a new unit.

Youtube can truly provide great value to the DIYer.

[vithvijey]

This video is absolutely amazing! My upper arm stopped spinning and cleaning my top rack dishes. I actually tried all the videos about cleaning the arms and flushing them water and it didn’t work. Even tried replacing the upper arm and the problem still persisted. Once I saw your video and put half a gallon of water inside dish washer it instantly the arms started spinning. So I replace the water inlet valve and bam! Saved myself hundreds of dollars! Thanks for this video super helpful!!

[CuriousMarc]

Thanks for posting this! Loved your test suggestion for just manually adding water to see if that gets things going again. It did for me, so that diagnosed the problem right away!

[ML-iffr]

Very helpful. Our Bosch SHE3ARFUC/08 had this problem after a less than a year of use. Top rack dishes were dirty, but the mechanism "seemed" to work...the upper arm would move (but water did not spray properly). Adding a half gallon of hot water (a minute or two into the cycle, e.g. after the water filling starts) was the clear test (also a temporary fix).


Replacing the fill valve cost $15 on Amazon. Took just over an hour to swap out the valve. Great tip. I'm a subscriber!!

[evelynstclair]

Just ran into this issue with my Bosch; adding water makes it work. I will be scheduling a weekend to pull it out from under the counter & checking for calcium/gunk build up as well as that water regulator. Many thanks! I love the Bosch & certainly do NOT want to buy a new one!

[ooglek]

I'm pretty sure this is my problem now. I thought my impeller or circulation pump was the culprit, but when I tore my dishwasher apart, both seemed fine. So I put everything back together, then once I did, ran it again in hopes I had fixed something. Nope.

But when I added a pitcher of water after it filled, yup! My arms started spinning and I got a lot more pressure.

Tomorrow I'll triple check to see if that's the issue by watching the fill just like yours, and I'll take a video of the "before" and "after" if it turns out to be my water inlet valve. Thanks for posting!

[jonahb]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! By the time my SHE3AR52UC/08 stopped working, neither the top nor the bottom spinners were spinning. I tried adding water, and that did the trick. So a Bosch 622058 inlet valve has been ordered from Amazon and will be here in two days!

[lorenwolsiffer]

This solved my problem, when wash started, opened the door and a drizzle coming from the upper arm. Very little water in the bottom. Added a half gallon of water and let it run. When I opened the door, I jumped back due to the amount of water coming from the upper arm. Well done and thank you.

[bertn.]

I have a Bosch dishawasher. Thank you so much for your video! I ordered the part from Amazon and replaced the valve. I probably save hundreds of dollars in parts and labor.

[skeeter]

Thanks for the fix, you saved me a s***load of time. Was going after the impeller

[alligator]

Just a short note to also say thank you for the video and solution. You we're spot-on with your suggestion. Solution: purchased the "Water inlet valve" from Amazon.ca for $50 and a new $5 "L" pipe. Able to replace without removing my dishwasher door. the difference in pressure was incredible.
I did your "test" by adding 2.5 litres of water to the bottom first, and it proved your theory.
thanks again

[lizmccafferty-seanachai]

Thanks so much for this video...your diagnosis of our problem was spot on and we are back up and cleaning with our Bosch dishwasher .. for less than $25!

[JackofAllTrades]

Thanks, this was helpful… I had torn everything apart and cleaned it and still no luck. I added more water and now it works.

[jeffhildebrand]

I had same issue, watched your video, bought correct part. Installed in under 1 hour without removing dishwasher. Tested after and upper arm was working properly and correct level of water in machine now. Thanks.