the salt container should have water in it at all times.
the pump is running because the anti flood saftey device has been activated,(it has been activated by water in the white base unit) access to the anti flood float is as follows, remove the front access panel underneath the door, if you look from the front the anti flood float is in the front left hand corner. disconnect from electricity then tilt the dishwasher backwards to drain the water from the base of the machine, then run machine and see if the base fills with water again. If it does then there is a leak somewhere within the appliance.
i hope this helps
www.candmdomesticappliances.co.uk
paul
November 2008