My dishwasher is just over 2 years old, the machine will start but as soon as the catch is released for the washing tablet the electric trips at the main fuse box, can anyone advise whats wrong with it, i've been told it may be the heater element but i don't even know where this is on the machine!!

Margaretanne, November 2009

One thing I forgot to mention - at the moment of tripping, open the door and feel the water - if it's warm it means the heating has been on for some time - strongly suggesting that the heating element is not the culprit.

P, November 2009

Water tends to run downwards so the heating element will be where the water collects - there is a clue though - the trip happens just as the detergent flap solenoid operates. The fault may well be the heating element but could so easily be the detergent solenoid - it might also be a combination of the two - but I would suspect the detergent solenoid alone as a most probable cause - based on what you say.

If you can disconnect one wire of the solenoid and make it safe and then run a programme you will achieve a diagnosis - or disconnect the heating element and make it safe and run a programme.

To get to the detergent solenoid you will need to take the lower front cover off.

Good luck...

Peccavi, November 2009