Kenmore Elite Power Chord Melted

Hi @notsure2020 ,

A burnt power cord plug is an indication of excess current flow through the wires or more current than what the cable is rated for or perhaps a faulty connection in the power outlet. (resistive connection causing heat)

Try connecting the machine directly to a power outlet and check if the power cable gets hot or smells hot. As the cable will have to be replaced first the part number for the power cord for your model is 4317824 (supplier example only to show cost of part). Search online using the part number only to find suppliers that suit you best.

If the new cable only gets warm and doesn’t smell burnt etc replace the powerstrip that it was connected to in the first place. Also depending on what other electrical devices were also connected to the power strip (if any) it is not advisable to connect a dishwasher to one as most probably its power rating is at the upper limit of the rating of the power strip putting a strain on the connections etc. Usually with power strips the total power rating for it is divided by the number of outlets it has so having a high power consumption device e.g. a dishwasher connected as well as other devices to it may exceed its rating or force it to operate near its maximum i.e. check the power specifications for the strip (usually printed on strip) and then the specs for the devices attached to it and ensure that the strip is not overloaded.

If the new cable also gets hot or smells burnt check behind the kickplate (toe plate) for the service manual. If there is one there it will have the wiring diagram and also the diagnostics which hopefully will help you to find out what’s wrong.

If it is not there then looking at the wiring diagram (see image below) from the 665.12773K310 service manual it shows that there are 3 fuses in the machine. If there is a faulty component e.g. circulation motor and pump, valves and diverter motor or power supply for the controls etc that is drawing more current than it should or is touching the frame (frayed wiring in machine?), then you would think that the fuse should blow to protect the machine and not allow the cord to get too hot. I couldn’t find the service manual for your model so hopefully this is close enough if yours is not there.

There is no fuse for the heater element though, only a high limit thermostat so check that it is OK and also that the element hasn’t gone low resistance or is connecting electrically to the chassis somehow. See Sect.5 p.10 (p.70 of 82) for the specifications for the hi-limit thermostat and the heater

If the heater and thermostat are OK then visually check the control board for any obvious signs of overheating by any of the components on the board.

After that you may have to start testing the circuits to find out why it is using more current than it should or enough current to make the cable get too hot.

(click on image to enlarge)