Zanussi dishwasher model DE6965 AL6 fault

[stephen999]

Hello,

I’m having problems with my dishwasher and with these forums!

I have had to re-register. If I log on with my old username when I try to view the forums I get a blank screen saying “information”. If I log out or log in with my new name, I can see everything. Why has my old account gone funny?

I can search for posts containing “AL6” but when I search for “Zanussi” it tells me there are no posts, yet I have seen a few just browsing! What is going on?

We leave the dishwasher on overnight (because of economy 7). This morning we found it had stopped saying “AL6”. the manual says this is a drain fault and to check the drain is clear and the pipes are not kinked. The dishwasher has not been moved, so it was unlikely any of the pipes were kinked but I checked anyway; they were fine.

If I switch it off and on again and try to start any program, it rumbles a bit and then says “AL6”. I’m not convinced that it is a drain probelm because I cannot hear the dishwasher filling with water. Surely it needs to fill with water before it can drain it away?

I’ve read the help pages here but before I can check if something is blocking the pump or if I have blue pipes, I need to take the cover off (after unplugging from the mains first). I can find screws to remove the top and the sides where they are screwed at the rear, but the panels are secured at the bottom front corner. How do I undo them there? I cannot find anything to unscrew?

Once I have got the sides off, can you give me pointers of what to look for?

Thanks.

[stephen999]

Re: Zanussi dishwasher model DE6965 AL6 fault

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?

[stephen999]

Re: Zanussi dishwasher model DE6965 AL6 fault

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.

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