Neff Dishwasher S4431B0GB/07 Filling fault

I’ve been out to this Neff semi integrated dishwasher circa1997 S4431B0GB/07.
The customers havent used the machine since it went wrong in October but the fault they said was that it didnt drain. No problem I thought, blocked pump. When I got there the pump would run fine but I couldnt get any water into it. I could get it to the first drain point and waited for it to advance to the fill point. It would fill for about half a second then stop. The first time I tried I could swear i waggled the programmer (clockwork) and it flicked back into life for a split second.(Just like you used to get with the old whirlpool timers)

I could advance it and get it to fill and empty at the same time at certain parts but not sit there and fill. Sump hose pipe was full of muck as usual but this wasnt the problem. No water in base. Fill system was clean also and had not pressurised. No signs of broken wiring. Never checked the water valve under the sink but seeing as it would work for a little bit at a time, presumed this would be fine.

I’m 99{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} sure its the programmer but I was just wondering if anybody else has had this fault in the past and i’m missing something obvious.

Thanks for your help guys.

Nick