Our Whirlpool dishwasher beeps every time the door is left open. It beeps every minute or so while we are loading or unloading the dishwasher, or when we leave the door open a bit to let the dishes air dry. The beeps drive me and my aging dog nuts. My dog cowers under my desk or shivers on our lap. I don't know what they were thinking when they designed a device that warns you a door is open at times it's supposed to be open.

This instructable will walk you through the steps required to remove the beeper.

Warning: The steps involve opening up the dishwasher control panel area, and will expose you to AC voltages which can injure or kill you. Please use caution, and unplug the device or turn off the appropriate breaker.

You will also probably invalidate the warranty -- although, you will be able to replace the beeper if you need to call in a repair technician.

The overall steps are:

1. Disconnect the power
2. Locate control panel
3. Remove control panel cover
4. Remove plastic PCB cover
5. Locate beeper
6. Remove plastic beeper cover
7. Remove piezoelectric disc
8. Set aside piezoelectric disc
9. Put things back together

I first found a description of how to do this in an Amazon review of a similar dishwasher.

Tools required:

1. Phillips head screw driver
2. Flat headed screwdriver or dull knife
3. Stool ( or other portable surface about 24-30 " high)

Step 1: Disconnect the Power

Either unplug the dishwasher or turn off the power to the dishwasher from the circuit breaker.

Tip: If you hear the beeping, you didn't do this right. Don't continue if don't do this step.

Warning: Please do this before proceeding. I'm not responsible if you hurt yourself by messing with wires in an appliance that uses lots of water.

Step 2: Locate Control Panel

This is where the control panel is. The rectangle at the top of the door can be removed by removing the screws as described below.

Note: The dog shown in the photo is not the dog afraid of the dishwasher.

Step 3: Remove Control Panel Cover

Your model of dishwasher may differ from mine, but the general instructions will still apply.

The goal is to remove the plastic control panel area appears at the top of the front of the dishwasher door in the first photo.

At this point, carefully remove the eight screws indicated below.

1. Locate the eight screws.

2. Remove them carefully. Be careful not to drop the screws inside the hollow dishwasher door.

3. Once you remove the screws, gently pull the cover off and rest it on a stool or small table, the wiring will be exposed and will tether the control panel cover to the dishwasher door. Don't leave it dangling.

Warning: There is a VERY sharp edge running along the edge of the stainless steel door. Don't cut your finger as I did.

Step 4: Prop Up Control Panel, Remove Plastic PCB Cover

I propped mine up on a stool and a dishpan. Just pick something to hold things still for the next steps.

1. Remove the two screws from the plastic PCB cover.

2. Remove the PCB cover.

Step 5: Locate Beeper

The screwdriver is pointing to the beeper. It's labeled BUZ1.

Step 6: Remove Plastic Beeper Cover

Carefully move aside any wires.

Using a flat headed screwdriver or dull knife, pry the plastic cover off of the beeper, exposing the piezoelectric disc.

Note: The disk MAY come out when you remove the cover.

Step 7: Remove the Piezoelectric Disc

This is what it looks like with the disc removed. It should just lift off.

Step 8: Set Aside Piezoelectric Disc

Here is the piezoelectric disc.

These things can be used as a microphone or speaker.

As tempting as this may be to harvest this goodie, you may want to set it aside to return to the dishwasher in case you need to contact a dishwasher repair technician.

Step 9: Put Things Back Together.

1. Replace the beeper cover.
2. Replace the plastic circuit cover, using two screws.
3. Gently press the entire control panel back into place.
4. Replace the two flat-headed screws near the latch.
5. Replace the six flat-headed screws holding the control panel in place.
6. Restore power. (Plug the dishwasher back in, or turn the breaker back on).