Kenmore UltraWash (665.1384) won't start but lights are on?

Kenmore UltraWash
Model: 665.1384 3K603

Issue: The START button doesn't seem to do anything (unclear if the button is broken or something else but...) but other buttons do work (I can select a cycle and the light goes on for example, but the LOCK doesn't seem to be working).

What I know:
- there is no water in the unit
- the float seems fine (has move left/right/up/down and is down right now)
- the cycle buttons (like light wash, normal wash, etc...) turn on when pressed, everything almost seems normal up to this point
- after ~30 seconds all ON lights turn off automatically (so I press "Normal Wash" and the light & "Heated Dry" light go on, if I just leave it they both go off after ~30 seconds, no clue if this is normal or not, had never noticed it before if it was)
- none of the lights are blinking ever

What I have tried so far:
- the key sequence to try a diagnostic (Normal Wash -> Heated dry x5, Normal Wash -> Pots&Pans x5) don't seem to do anything
- flipped the breaker (off/5mins/on) and when I closed the door it did something (smelled really bad) for like 1-2minutes (made noise like something in there was working) but no clue what (inside doesn't seem to have changed, not wet, etc...), no lights flashed during the process, and then returns to the same state
- holding the Heated Dry for long times (lock/unlock) doesn't seem to have any effect at all (thought maybe it was locked, tried to toggle, etc...) but there is no lock-light on
- took apart the control board somewhat (easy connectors, etc...), didn't touch the fuse thing or most of the connectors along the top. Didn't help, same exact behavior when I put it back together.

My question:
- I would like to get to the actual START button (maybe there is something there) but I don't see how to open the control panel to get there, is this something we are not supposed to do? Is it sealed? Would I be able to do anything even if I did open it?
- Could it be that I am using the wrong SEQUENCE to try to kick-off a diagnostic?
- Is it possible it is the fuse? I see a lot of posts about replacing and testing it but if the unit is getting some power then I assume it cannot be that right (just want to eliminate that possibility)

Aside from that I am out of ideas of what to do (DIY), I guess the next step would be to order replacement parts, but what is more likely to be the issue? The control panel (where the buttons are) or the main control board... together they cost over 200$ for a 3-year old $350 dishwasher I am wondering ... Can the parts be ordered, tried, and returned if they didn't solve the problem (anyone ever had to deal with this?).

Any ideas of tests I could run, things I could check, most likely problem, etc... anything help would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,