If you’ve got a Whirlpool dishwasher model WDP540HAMZ2 and it just isn’t doing its job—leaving dishes dirty, soggy, or with soap residue—you’re not alone. We’ve been hearing from quite a few homeowners in the Atlanta area with the same complaints:
- “My dishes are still dirty after the cycle ends.”
- “Water’s filling up, but it doesn’t seem to be spraying properly.”
- “It runs… but it’s quiet. Like, too quiet.”
- “There’s still water left in the bottom when it finishes.”
All signs pointed to one key problem: a bad sump assembly.
🔍 So What’s the Sump on Whirlpool dishwasher, and Why Does It Matter?
The sump is like the heart of your dishwasher—it’s where the pump and motor live. Its job is to push water through the spray arms with enough force to clean everything on the racks. When it stops working right, your dishwasher might still fill up and drain, but it won’t actually wash anything. The result? Dishes that look like they never got cleaned.
That’s exactly what we found on a recent Whirlpool dishwasher WDP540HAMZ2 repair call here in Atlanta. The dishwasher was running quietly, almost like it was working… but the dishes on the top rack came out untouched. Once we got inside, we saw that the sump motor had failed.
💡 The Fix: Replacing the Sump Assembly
We recommended replacing the entire sump assembly—motor, pump, and all—so the dishwasher could get back to full power and actually spray water where it’s needed.
Cost of the repair:
💰 $445 – including the OEM Whirlpool dishwasher part, labor, and same-day installation.
After swapping in the new sump, we ran a test cycle. The improvement was immediate: powerful spray action, clean dishes, and a much healthier-sounding dishwasher. The customer even said it hadn’t worked that well since they bought it.
🔧 Why It’s Important Not to Ignore This Problem
A failing sump won’t fix itself. In fact, continuing to use your dishwasher like this can put extra stress on the:
- Heating element
- Drain pump
- Control board
- Water sensors
That means what could’ve been a single repair now turns into a bigger, more expensive problem. If your dishwasher sounds off, doesn’t clean, or leaves standing water—it’s time to have it checked.
Other Models with Similar Sump Issues
We’ve seen this issue in quite a few Whirlpool and KitchenAid models that use a similar sump design, including:
- WDP540HAMZ0
- WDT730PAHZ
- WDF520PADM
- WDF330PAHS
If you have any of these and your dishwasher is acting up, there’s a good chance the sump is the culprit.
📍 Need Dishwasher Repair in the Atlanta Area?
At Atlanta City Appliance Repair, we work on all major dishwasher brands—Whirlpool, KitchenAid, GE, Bosch, Samsung, and more. We’re known for fast service, fair pricing, and honest advice.
📞 Call us today: (404) 903-1453
📅 Book online anytime: https://atlantaappliancesrepair.net/appointment
🛠️ Serving Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Buckhead, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Don’t Wait—Get Your Dishwasher Working Again
A dishwasher that won’t clean isn’t just frustrating—it slows down your whole kitchen. Let us take care of it the right way, so you can get back to clean dishes without the hassle.