Kenwood dishwasher 45DX20 - showing F1 fault after being stopped mid cycle.

I'd guess that the noise is it trying to pump itself out, which it could do if it thinks there's water somewhere there shouldn't be. Not sure how leaving it mid cycle might have caused a flood, but perhaps the water doesn't normally sit in there for long periods (it's continually being sloshed and then drained) and some seal isn't as good as it could be. The aquastop is often very sensitive and will trip with a tiny amount of water (teaspoons).

I'd suggest just leaving it. Eventually the water underneath will dry out and it'll be back to normal. You could point a fan heater or a dehumidifier at it if you're feeling keen.

Theo

My diagnosis was the same as yours - that sitting water needs a deeper seal than for running water and that meant something did sneak past a seal.

After looking at some YT videos (which will be impossible in a years time, I reckon) I removed the bottom filter and mesh and sponged the water I found below out. Then left it for a day and when power was restored, it seemed to be back to rights. It's done a couple of full cycles now, so panic over.

My current dishwasher has a float switch in a tray. I think some spilled water from a couple of glasses, that were not emptied before being put in, travelled down the open door and under the machine. It worked again after a day of standing to let the water evaporate.

My previous dishwasher had a micro-switch held closed by a sponge. If the sponge got wet, it'd soften and allow the micro-switch to move. It could only be reset by squeezing out the sponge and leaving it to dry with no pressure on it. That one actually tripped without any water, just by the years of pressure from the micro-switch deforming the sponge. Wetting it, squeezing it out and leaving to dry sorted it out for more years of use.

reviving this, as after thinking the problem was solved ... it returned.

TL;DR is that removing the dishwasher from under the counter (why oh why did I not use longer piping when I fitted it) and removing top and sides, and running on a towel, I saw water leaking from the LHS. Very careful inspection showed that it was dripping onto the plastic assembly that I guess is the ion exchanger from above.

Looking all over the inside, I discovered to my surprise that the screw ring that holds the neck of the salt aperture was finger loose. And of course this seals the wet inside of the dishwasher from the outside on the ... LHS of the machine.

Have tightened said collar, and put the machine on the patio in the sun to really dry out.

Wish me luck this evening when I retry it ! But thought I would post in advance ;)

When I had a similar problem, it turned out the plastic screw ring had perished through long exposure to hot water and chemicals. It was there but loose because the thread had pulverised to nothing. Luckily Miele had a spare part for a 30 year old machine.

Theo

Well, touch wood, reinstalled machine - ran it for 2x30 minute cycles and it's bone dry underneath. So I'm going to call it job done.

Takeaway here is that in hindsight I should have used longer pipes to allow me to run the machine on the floor to inspect all round.

It's only 3 years old and doesn't have massive usage. Looking at the seal it's still viable. Just the collar had come loose - either because it slipped by manufacturer or had shaken loose in the interim.