It soiunds like water is prevented either from entering the softener drawer, or from leaving the softener drawer.
1. remove the drawer and check if the pipe coming out from the softener drawer is clogged. Sometimes old softener leaves a gungey residue.
2. look inside the compartment -at the top, where the water would come to fill the softener compartment.
There should be some small holes - clean with a toothbrush or bottle brush.
3, Finally, run the machine empty with some white vinegar in the softener drawer. (or you could use a proprietary washing machine cleaner available in supermarkets).
This worked for my mother's machine.
Colin
November 2009