Original water inlet valve electrical harness hookup
Replacement water inlet valve electrical harness hookup
Male connector/harness
Inlet valve with female connector
Dishwasher model number etc.
My dishwasher has a slow leak coming from the water inlet valve (water constantly drips into the dishwasher). I ordered a replacement water inlet valve (W10158389). The replacement is identical to the original in all ways except three. The female end on the inlet valve is reversed (rotated 180 degrees), is gray instead of green and worst of all has a slight different shaped and so the harness wont snap in.
Photo one is of the female connector on the original valve – note it looks like a “T”.
Photo two is the female connector on the replacement valve – note it looks like a “l”.
I imagine that I can fix this problem by simply breaking off the tab on the replacement valve or on the male end of the harness.
Breaking the tab will allow the electrical harness to snap in but I am worried that the polarity might be switched.
I have contacted the parts manufacturer (repair clinic – the official parts supply house for kitchen aid dishwashers) who confirmed it was the correct part and who mentioned that parts can change slightly over time (this dishwasher is from ~2008). I have also contacted a seller of whirlpool parts (whirlpool makes this part) on Amazon who also confirmed this is the correct part and that all the modern replacement parts of model #W10158389 will be identical.
Any advice on how to modify this part would be most welcome.
Best Answer
I would remove the existing plug off the old one and fit it to the new one so it assembles correctly.
You should be able to identify which wire is where when comparing the old and new.
Edit update: Remove the male plug on the harness. Extend wires as necessary. Purchase two crimp-on (insulated) terminals that fit the new pump, fit and test.