Whirlpool dishwasher 8-3: draining: drain stuck on
8-3 means the control detected that the drain pump stayed powered after it had switched it off.
What 8-3 means
- Brand
- Whirlpool
- Appliance
- Dishwasher
- Code
- 8-3
- Documented meaning
- Draining: drain stuck on
- Applies to
- 178 Whirlpool models on 11 platforms
- Can you keep using it?
- No — stop and have it checked
What the dishwasher is detecting
The control monitors the drain pump circuit. If the pump is still energized when the control has turned it off, it records this code.
Causes listed for this condition
In the order the service documentation checks them. Documented causes come from the manufacturer's service documentation for these platforms; possible causes are based on how the system works; unconfirmed marks common assumptions that the documentation does not support.
- Documented A failed drain motor drive circuit on the main control.
- Documented A drain motor or connections damaged by overheating or shorting.
- Documented On some newer platforms the same title also lists wiring, debris in the impeller and the control fuse.
Safe checks you can make
- If the drain pump keeps running (a steady humming) with the cycle off, switch off the dishwasher's breaker.
Further diagnosis requires opening the appliance. Beyond the owner checks, diagnosis involves removing panels, testing components and checking wiring. We describe what a technician investigates, not how to do it yourself.
What a technician checks
- Inspects the drain motor and its connections for overheating or shorting.
- Confirms the control's drain circuit fault before replacing the control.
Typical repairs and cost
Depending on what diagnosis finds, this code can lead to one of these repairs:
| Repair | Typical range | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwasher main control board replacement | $260–$590 | Moderate |
| Dishwasher drain pump replacement | $180–$400 | Moderate |
Typical total ranges for the Las Vegas area, parts and labor included. The final cost depends on diagnosis, the exact model, parts availability and whether other damage is found.
Can you keep using it?
Stop using it until it is checked. Switch off the dishwasher's breaker and schedule service. A pump that runs nonstop can overheat, and the dishwasher cannot hold water to wash.
Whirlpool models documented with this code
- WDF120PAFB
- WDF120PAFS
- WDF120PAFT
- WDF120PAFW
- WDF121PAFB
- WDF121PAFW
- WDF130PAHT
- WDF131PAHB
- WDF131PAHW
- WDF310PCAB
- WDF310PCAD
- WDF310PCAS
- WDF310PCAT
- WDF310PCAW
- WDF330PAHB
- WDF330PAHD
And 162 more. Use the model lookup to check yours.
Related problems and codes
Other codes documented on the same Whirlpool platforms:
Repair or replace?
A fault code alone rarely justifies replacing a dishwasher. Most 8-3 repairs involve a single component once diagnosed. Replacement becomes worth considering when the unit is near the end of its typical 9–12-year life and the diagnosed repair is a major one. See the repair-or-replace guide.
Need 8-3 diagnosed in the Las Vegas area?
We repair Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana and other Whirlpool-family appliances in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin and Boulder City. A model number helps but is never required to book.