Jackson Dishwasher Troubleshooting
Whether it’s a restaurant or cafeteria, clean dishes and tableware are a must. Jackson Warewashing Systems manufacturers a wide variety of commercial dishwashing equipment used throughout the foodservice industry. If your machine experiences a rare hiccup, we have some tips to help you diagnose the problem quickly. Below are Jackson dishwasher troubleshooting tips for popular conveyor, door-type and flight-type machines.
This article helps users understand identify a potential issue. If you’re only tasked with operating the unit, please contact an authorized service technician to resolve any of the following issues or diagnose additional problems.
Machine Not Operating
- Unplugged – Make sure the power cord is plugged into the electrical outlet.
- Damaged or disconnected power cord – Check for any damage to the power cord. It might also not be connected at the terminal block. This will need to be corrected by an authorized technician.
- Tripped circuit breaker – The circuit breaker might need to be reset. If it keeps tripping, contact an electrician to make sure the machine’s amp draw and breaker size are correct.
Machine Won’t Fill
Rinse/Fill Light Off
- Door(s) ajar – The dishwasher door(s) could be open. Make sure it’s sealed shut.
- Bad door switch – An authorized technician might need to check the switch wiring or replace the switch.
- Bad cam timer or cam-timer microswitch – An authorized technician will need to check the timer wiring or replace the fill microswitch.
Rinse/Fill Light On
- Obstructed water line – Check for clogs in the water line and clean them out.
- No water or low water pressure – See if the machine hooked up to the water supply or that valves are open. If flow pressure in your facility is below 20 +/- 5 PSI, make sure it’s correct.
- Bad rinse solenoid valve – Have an authorized technician check the solenoid valve wiring. The coil or valve will likely need to be replaced.
Power Indicator Light Off
- Tripped circuit breaker or service breaker – The circuit or service breaker will need to be reset. If either breaker keeps tripping, contact an electrician to make sure the machine’s amp draw and breaker size are correct.
- Incorrect wiring to the power source – Have an electrician check the wiring from the machine to the incoming power source.
Power Indicator Light On
- No water supply to the machine – Check if the water lines are connected to the dishmachine.
- Door(s) ajar– The dishwasher door(s) could be open. Make sure it’s sealed shut.
- Bad water solenoid valve – Have an authorized technician check the solenoid valve The coil or valve will likely need to be replaced.
Machine Fills Too Much
- Fill cam is out of adjustment – The fill cam will need to be adjusted to an authorized technician.
- Bad rinse solenoid valve – Have an authorized technician check the solenoid valve wiring. The coil or valve will likely need to be replaced.
- High incoming water pressure – See if flow pressure in your facility is at 20 +/- 5 PSI. If it’s too high, adjust accordingly.
Machine Keeps Filling & Won’t Stop (JFT/JFT-S Models)
In this instance, the green “Tank Filled” light also won’t come on.
- No water supply to the machine – Check if the water lines are connected to the dishmachine.
- Open drain valves – See if the drain valves are in the open position and shut them, if necessary.
- Faulty water level controls – Have an authorized technician check the wiring of the water level controls and replace, if necessary.
- Leak in the tub – Check if there are holes or cracks under the machine.
- Level control sensors need adjustment – An authorized technician might need to adjust the sensitivity settings on the level control sensors.
Machine Fills Slowly or Rinses Weakly
- Low incoming water pressure – Make sure flow pressure in your facility is at 20 +/- 5 PSI. If it’s low, adjust accordingly.
- Obstructed water line – See if there are clogs in the water line and clean them out.
- Obstructed rinse tube plate – Look for clogs in the rinse tube plate. If so, clean out the obstructions.
- Obstructed rinse arms – The rinse arms will need to be removed and cleaned following the instructions in your owner’s manual.
- Clogged incoming water solenoid – Check if debris is trapped in the valve and remove it accordingly.
- Clogged Y-strainer – If the Y-strainer is clogged, clean it out.
Water Floods from the Machine
- Drain valve not working – An authorized technician will need to check the valve motor’s wiring. If the wiring is correct, the technician will need to replace the valve.
- High incoming water pressure – See if flow pressure in your facility is at 20 +/- 5 PSI. If it’s too high, adjust accordingly.
- Timer motor shorted – When the timer motor shorted out during the rinse/fill cycle or has a faulty microswitch, an authorized technician will have to confirm if the timer operates and that the fill microswitch is wired properly. If either part is faulty, the technician will have to replace them.
Poor Spray Pattern or Low Wash/Prewash Arm Pressure
- Clogged wash or prewash arms – Check if the nozzles are clogged with debris. If necessary, clean the debris.
- Clogged wash or prewash tank/pump strainers – Clean out the strainers if there is noticeable amounts of debris.
- Worn wash or prewash impeller – Have an authorized technician replace either impeller if it’s worn out.
Machine Runs in Wash Cycle Continuously
See if the dishmachine is in delime mode. Flip the NORMAL/DELIME switch to “NORMAL.”
Door Won’t Stay Closed
When then door drops hard and won’t stay closed, either the spring is broken or the hinge is bent. Contact an authorized technician to replace either component.
Water Drains at the Beginning of the Cycle
- Drain valve stuck open – If the drain valve is stuck in the open positions, an authorized technician will need to fix or replace the valve.
- Drain valve installed incorrectly – Water will leak from the valve’s connection if installed incorrectly. Have the connections tightened by an authorized technician.
- Damaged drain valve – If the drain valve is damaged, have it replaced by an authorized technician.
Low Water Temperature
- Low incoming water temperature – Check the machine’s data plate and verify that the incoming temperature is correct.
- Bad temperature gauge – The temperature gauge could be broken. This part will need to be replaced by authorized technician.
- Bad rinse solenoid valve – Have an authorized technician check the solenoid valve wiring. The coil or valve will likely need to be replaced.
- Heavy lime or scale buildup – If there is a heavy buildup of lime or scale, the machine needs to be cleaned with a deliming solution.
Low Wash Tank Level
- Low incoming water pressure – Check that the flow pressure in your facility is at 20 +/- 5 PSI. If it’s low, adjust accordingly.
- Fill cam is out of adjustment – The fill cam will need to be adjusted to an authorized technician.
- Drain valve is leaking – See if the drain hose is obstructed. If it’s clear, the valve is likely not sealed correctly. An authorized technician will need to replace it.
- Machine isn’t level – Make sure the machine is level.
- Curtain or splash shield runoffs are out place – If your model includes a curtain or splash shield runoffs, either component could be out of place. Adjust either component if necessary.
Dishes are Dirty
- Wares are pre-scrapped improperly – Make sure dishes and wares are being scrapped correctly before being placed in the machine. Too much food waste can alter the cleaning procedure.
- Low incoming water pressure – See if the flow pressure in your facility is at 20 +/- 5 PSI. If it’s low, adjust accordingly.
- Obstructed rinse tube plate – Look for clogs in the rinse tube plate. If so, clean out the obstructions.
- Chemical concentrations aren’t correct – The chemicals you’re using might not be in the correct concentrations. Verify these concentrations and dispenser usage with your chemical representative.
Water Leaks from the Vacuum Breaker
- Heavy lime or scale buildup – If there is a heavy buildup of lime or scale in the breaker, both the breaker plunger and seat will need to be cleaned in a deliming solution.
- Vacuum breaker obstructed – The breaker could be obstructed, causing it not to be seated properly.
- Vacuum breaker plunger or warped seat – An authorized technician will need to fix either part from a vacuum breaker repair kit.
Excessive Vapor Near the Machine (JFT/JFT-S Models)
- Exhaust fan and room ventilation system are off – Make sure both the exhaust fan and the room’s ventilation system are turned on.
- Curtain is out place – See if the curtain is out of place and needs to be adjusted.
- Water temperature is too hot – Check the water temperature in your facility and verify that it complies with the settings on the machine’s data plate.
For more help troubleshooting a Jackson dishwasher or warewashing system, check out our complete library of Jackson manuals.