I had the same. It also overflowed if left running.
The water pressure was fine and the wash cycle went through, but flashed H20 throughout.
I took the lid off - two screws at the top back, then slide from front to back (might need a thump to move at first).
When looking at it from the front, halfway down the right there is a red pressure switch. This measures water in and out by measuring air pressure in and out.
Tap this with a screwdriver and H20 disappears and the machine bursts into life.
I replaced this with a part from http://www.hotpoint-spares.co.uk which cost ~£12 INC VAT and Delivery and it's been fine ever since.
john in Hull, November 2011