Kenmore Elite Dishwasher Parts Diagram & Model Number Guide

Quick Answer

To find your Kenmore Elite dishwasher parts diagram, start by opening the door and looking at the sticker on the left or right side of the inner tub frame. Most of these high-end models begin with the prefix 665, which indicates the machine was manufactured by Whirlpool for Sears.

Here's what I see all the time: someone orders a pump or control board without grabbing the model number first. It shows up, won't fit, and now they're waiting another week on a return. Kenmore Elite machines came out of at least two completely different factories over the years. That little sticker inside your door frame is literally the only thing standing between you and ordering the wrong part.

KenmoreDishwasherSeverity: low

Time to Fix

5–10 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$0 (no parts needed)

Tools Needed

Flashlight, Phone camera

Kenmore Elite Dishwasher Parts Diagram & Model Number Guide

OK so Sears didn't actually build these dishwashers. They contracted out, mostly to Whirlpool and sometimes Frigidaire, which means the same 'Kenmore Elite' badge on the front could be hiding completely different guts. The model number prefix tells you who really made yours. A 665 means Whirlpool, which is honestly great news because parts are cheap and everywhere. I've watched people order the wrong pump three times because they guessed based on the front panel. Don't do that.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

FlashlightPhone cameraPhillips #2 screwdriver (for kickplate removal)

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the model number on a Kenmore Elite dishwasher?

The most common spot is on the right or left side wall of the inner tub frame. Open the door all the way and look at the metal frame where the door seal sits when it's closed. If nothing's there, check the very top edge of the door, especially on models with those hidden controls where the buttons are on top. Last resort is the kickplate at the bottom front. Lay your phone flat on the floor and take a photo under there with the flash on. Three spots, and one of them almost always has it.

What does the 665 prefix mean on my Kenmore dishwasher?

It means Whirlpool built your dishwasher under the Kenmore brand name. And that's genuinely good news if you're doing a repair. Whirlpool made a ton of dishwashers in that era under multiple brands, including KitchenAid and their own Whirlpool Gold line. A lot of the internal parts cross over directly, especially the circulation pump, spray arm assemblies, and door latch hardware. So even when a 'Kenmore' part is backordered or overpriced, you can usually find the exact same component listed under a Whirlpool model number for less. Always worth searching both.

Can I find the right parts using just the serial number?

No. The serial number won't pull up a parts diagram. It's basically the machine's birth certificate. Tells you when and where it was made, that's it. The model number is what tells the parts database what design and component configuration your machine has. Now, occasionally the serial number matters if Whirlpool made a running production change partway through a model year, like swapping one version of a control board for another. In that case you'd need both numbers. But for finding any diagram and ordering 99% of parts? Model number only.

Why are there different diagrams for the same model series?

Because manufacturers update parts during a production run without changing the main model number. They'll swap in a revised motor or a slightly different door gasket design and only bump the last few digits of the model number to reflect it. So two Kenmore Elite 665 dishwashers that look completely identical from the outside might have different wiring harnesses or pump assemblies inside. That's why you should enter the complete model number every single digit when you're pulling a diagram. Skipping the suffix is how you end up with a part that's almost right but won't quite fit.

How do I know if a part on the diagram is the right one for my leak?

Start with the Pump and Motor diagram if water's pooling under the machine. That'll show you every seal, O-ring, and hose connected to the pump housing. The most common leak spots are the pump shaft seal, the inlet hose connection at the pump, and the door gasket. If water only shows up at the front, it's usually the door gasket or the door balance link. Check the Tub and Door diagram for those. The diagram won't tell you which part is bad, but it shows you every possible culprit so you can check them one by one. Usually takes me about 10 minutes to track down a dishwasher leak once I've got the diagram pulled up.

My model number isn't returning any results. What do I do?

First, double-check that you're reading the sticker right. These things fade and the difference between a 6 and a G or a 0 and a D can throw off the whole search. If you're confident in the number, try searching just the first 10 digits without the last letter or two. Sometimes suffix variations aren't indexed separately. You can also call the parts supplier directly with your number and they can usually cross-reference it manually. If the machine is a 665 prefix, also try plugging the number into the Whirlpool parts site directly since it's the same machine under a different badge.

Models Known to Experience MODEL-665-LOOKUP Errors

This repair applies to most Kenmore dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

665.13123K701, 665.12773K310, 665.14753N512, 665.13943K010, 790.14663, 665.13153K701, 665.15113K210

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on May 20, 2024