How do I get the coils of my dishwasher to stop heating up?

I have a Kenmore dishwasher. It works fine but I have to keep a potholder in the door latch area to keep it from closing tight. If it closes tight, the coils on the floor of the inside dishwasher area heat up. I only actually close the dishwasher when I want it to clean the dishes. When the cycle is over, I have to be right there to open the door, stick a potholder in it and lightly close it - but not completely. The coils just do not shut off. They stay on all the time unless the door is open. The dishwasher works fine except for this. It is a Kenmore Dishwasher, MOdel#: 665.16829000; Serial #: FK4803353; Stock #: 16829.
Thank you.

Pam Patrone
April 2008