Per the parts diagram, this model uses a valve assembly on the dispenser housing to divert the water flow into the proper cup. Two solenoids on the assembly. Presumably you have cups for detergent, bleach, and softener. Presumably water flows through only the detergent cup when neither of the valves is engaged. One is for bleach, the other for softener.

Run a cycle with the drawer removed, and watch during fills if the water flow does or does not aim for the proper cup at the proper times. If not, could be a bad valve.

I find the valve assembly priced at $40 at a particular online source (there are several choices). The entire dispenser housing including valves is $52.

Hmmm...worth a try. I'll need to see in which cycle the fabric softener is supposed to be dispensed. That might well be in the owner's manual.

Could this be a clog somewhere in the water line, do you think, as well as a valve? Hate to replace the valves and have it still be not working right *smile*.

Thanks, this was very helpful.

Softener should dispense into the final rinse. If the machine has a 2nd or extra rinse option, then softener should still go into the final rinse if the machine is "smart" enough to make that adjustment.

Detergent of course goes into the wash.

Bleach usually releases into the first rinse, or possibly toward end of the wash period depending on the machine's design/programming.

The water flow may not necessarily divert fully into the bleach and softener cups ... part of it may go to bleach or softener and part to the detergent cup ... but there should be at least some of the flow go into bleach or softener at the appropriate time.

Thanks for the update, I'll be trying this out as soon as I get a chance. Makes a lot of sense, particularly since the dispenser drawer has no interlock.