Dishwasher problem

To answer some of my own post, I have removed the plastic strip beneath the door on the front and this gives me access to the two remaining screws holding the side on. So I now have sight of the sides. So what should I do next? (I've got the Haynes dishwasher book so I'll give that a read - is it any good?).

If it is a drain problem, won't these bits be underneath, rather than at the sides? How do I get to those to check them?

It'll almost certainly be open at the bottom. Dry out the sump with a wet and dry vac and just turn it upside down.

How does the DW know the machine is not empty? There must be a fill sensor somewhere.

If it's pumping out normally yet reporting a drainage problem, then the sensor could be gunged up, or possibly a poor connection.

cheers, Pete.

Look for the drain pump, its likely something has got past the filter and is jamming the impeller.

Thank you. I think you were half right: something was causing a blockage but the impeller seemed ok.

I removed the lower arm and mesh filter and unscrewed the various bits and pieces that become visible, so that I could see into the sump. There seems to be a blue "basket" type of filter in there, which had some bits and pieces in it. I tried to pick a few out and used a vacuum to help and it seems to have helped; I've only done a test rinse programme but it was washing and draining ok.

The Haynes book seems to suggest that you can remove the sump and visually inspect the hoses and give it all a good rinse under the tap. Is this possible with my model?

The sump seemed to be moulded to the bottom half of the machine and it didn't look like you could get it out without taking most of the machine apart.

Thanks.