How can I fix Zanussi Electrolux DX6453?

When the machine is turned on the pump runs continously and the program fails to start. If I add water using a jug it pumps it out. The soleniod coil and the reed switch that detects water in the salt res. are both O.K. Should the salt res. be full of water at the start of program? Anyone got curcuit daigram and program check list/truth table for it? I am a retired electrical eng. with test meters.
Any help would be very welcome.