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Fisher Paykel Dish Drawer "Knock to Pause" Sensors Problem

Gail Gemberling

4 years ago

I just got a Fisher and Paykel Panel Ready double dish drawer dishwasher installed. I have Shaker cabinets and thus a Shaker panel on each of the dish drawers. My pulls were not on the panels yet when the unit was installed so the installers left the panels off. When my carpenter came in to install the pulls and put the panels on he did so and it looked nice. Only later did I notice that the little "knock to pause" feature that allows you to open the dish drawer to put in a forgotten item after you have started the dishwasher was not working. I knocked and knocked and it would not let me in.

Later when we investigated, sure enough the sensors were not screwed to the doors. Each sensor needs to be attached with three 5/8 inch screws that are supposed to be provided. I only was provided with 4 rather than the needed 6 but that isn't important here. Luckily, before inserting the first screw it dawned on me that the sensors were to be installed in one particular location in the middle right of the doors. I have Shaker cabinets and this is on the thin panel part of the door and these screws would stick out the front if they are installed. Has anyone had this problem? If so how did you attach your sensors? Did you get shorter screws, what size? Did your "knock to pause" feature ultimately work?

Comments (2)

dadoes
4 years ago
I don't have a model so-equipped but I recall scanning through the installation instructions for one and it makes clear that the sensor is to be placed exactly where and how directed to insure it works correctly.
Gail Gemberling thanked dadoes
Nidnay
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Had the exact same problem with our panel ready Fisher Paykel single drawers (we have two of them in different places). Tapping on the drawer didn’t work initially because the appliance installer was just not well versed in the proper installation and did not hook up the sensors properly. We also have shaker style doors and he didn’t use screws because of the depth problem (I believe the sensors were just dangling). If I remember correctly (18 months ago) it took us 3 service visits for them to get it right. They had already damaged one panel which had to be redone (screws came through). They were pretty afraid to even use shorter screws (panels were so thin) and if I’m remembering correctly, they had to improvise and did not attach the sensor in the normal way. I’m pretty sure they didn’t use any screws but tape instead. The dishwasher has worked flawlessly since then.
Gail Gemberling thanked Nidnay
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