A burned board, and a replacement that wasn't plug-and-play
A restaurant inside a Los Angeles movie theater had its commercial TempStar dishwasher down. The original relay and timer board had burned badly.
In this guide
I was working on a commercial TempStar dishwasher at a restaurant inside a Los Angeles movie theater. The machine was down, and the cause was easy to see: the original relay and timer board had burned badly. I could see the heat damage right away, and the burnt smell was strong.
What burns a control board
Moisture or steam may have caused a short. I couldn’t confirm it. A dish room is a hot, wet place, and electronics live a harder life there than in a home kitchen.
Checking before spending
The replacement board was expensive, so before replacing anything I checked the wiring and the other components. A new board can burn the same way if something else in the machine is at fault. I didn’t find any other problem, which meant the board itself was the repair.
A universal board is not a plug-and-play part
The replacement was a universal control, designed to serve several different models. That’s what makes one board fit many machines, and it’s also what makes the install longer: the board doesn’t know what machine it’s in until you tell it. I followed the installation instructions, selected the wiring and the program, and set the operating settings for this TempStar.
The first test
Once everything matched the machine, I installed the board and went back through each connection. The dishwasher worked on the first test.
The part is half the job
A universal board still needs machine-specific setup. Matching the wiring and the settings is part of the installation, not an extra. If a commercial dishwasher at your restaurant is down, or running strangely after someone swapped a board, we can help.
We repair commercial dishwashers and other kitchen equipment across Los Angeles alongside our appliance work. Flat rate upfront, and the $85 service call is credited toward the repair. Call or text (213) 205-2055.
FAQ
Why would a commercial dishwasher control board burn?
On this TempStar, moisture or steam may have caused a short, though I couldn't confirm it. A dish room is a hot, wet place, and electronics live a harder life there than in a home kitchen. What matters before the repair is ruling out other failed parts, so the new board doesn't meet the same end.
How can you tell a control board is burned?
This one didn't leave much doubt: the heat damage was visible right away and the burnt smell was strong. Not every failed board announces itself like that, but when one does, the diagnosis starts there and the checking moves to everything connected to it.
Should a burned board just be replaced right away?
Not before checking the rest of the machine. If another component had failed and taken the board with it, a new board could burn the same way. On this dishwasher I checked the wiring and the other components first and found no other problem, which meant the board itself was the repair.
What is a universal control board?
It's one control designed to serve several different models instead of a single machine. That's what makes one board fit many machines, and it's also why installing one takes longer: the board has to be configured for the exact machine it's going into.
Why isn't a universal board plug-and-play?
Because the board arrives ready for many machines and committed to none. The installation instructions cover selecting the wiring and the program, and for this TempStar I set the operating settings the instructions called for. Only once everything matched the machine did the board go in.
How much does a commercial dishwasher control board cost?
It varies a lot by machine and control type. On this job the board was the expensive part of the repair, which is exactly why the rest of the machine got checked before anything was replaced. We quote a flat rate upfront, and the $85 service call is credited toward the repair.
Do you repair commercial dishwashers in Los Angeles?
Yes. This job was at a restaurant inside a Los Angeles movie theater, and we work across the Westside, Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley alongside our appliance repair. CA BEAR registered (#A 50636), EPA 608 Universal certified and $1M insured. Call or text (213) 205-2055.
Got an appliance that needs fixing? We cover LA and the Valley.
Call (213) 205-2055 or text a photo of your appliance.