The Dishwasher Filled for Only 5–10 Seconds, Then Clicked and Shut Down
Kenmore 665.13922K010 drained normally, admitted only a small amount of water and repeatedly attempted the next stage.
Why the short fill changed the motor diagnosis
The clicking occurred after a fill far shorter than the owner expected. Some technicians interpreted the clicks as repeated circulation-start attempts, but they disagreed on whether the motor itself failed or the machine never reached the water condition needed to run it.
A similar symptom can have a different cause on another dishwasher. Fill design, float logic, valve flow, motor electronics and control sequencing vary by model.
The two branches preserved from the discussion
The tub never reaches a usable level
A sticking float switch or restricted inlet valve could end fill early and leave the circulation stage without enough water.
The level is adequate but circulation will not start
A motor with its own electronics could reject repeated start attempts, producing relay clicks before the program stops.
The proposed discriminating test
The discussion proposed having a technician establish the correct water level before the circulation attempt and observe whether the wash motor then runs. A successful circulation start would move attention back toward fill and level sensing; continued failed attempts would keep the motor and its supply path in the diagnosis.
No result from that test, float-switch inspection, valve replacement or motor test was posted. This page documents the decision point rather than naming a winner in the debate.