Hmm... I was looking for a different issue when I came across this question and whilst I haven't had the same problem with my WMA44 I did have a similar problem with an older Zanussi.
Basically the unit needed to reach the programme temperature before it would move on and in my case the heater element had failed, but I guess the temperature sensor could be another possible failure which would give the same result.
You could try just running the machine on a cold rinse cycle and if that performs ok then the heater/temperature sensor is probably the culprit.
I hope this helps.
Richard
February 2007