The noise you hear is almost certainly the pump trying (in vain) to evacuate water & it has timed out after "x" seconds. There is a either a blockage in the drain system or your pump is history. It isn't the heater element making the noise you hear. Have you broken any glasses in the machine lately? a small glass piece can cause an awfully big headache.
I don't know if you are mechanically minded but you could start first by checking the drain hose for restrictions, if that's ok you should empty the remainig water by whatever means you have at hand then check in the well for any kind of debris, broken glass etc. If that is clear then I'm afraid you have to think about removing the pump & checking it.
Mike
October 2009
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