Sometimes when running the machine it makes a loud bang and trips the main switch in the fuse box. Any ideas what this might be? Kinda thinking not worth getting a pro in – either try and fix myself or buy a new machine. Not sure how old the machine is was left in the house when I moved in. It's a Hoover D820.

The only loud bangs from our machine are when things get in the way of the spray bars. But they're run by water pressure so shouldn't trip anything. Needs more investigation I think.

If it's tripping the electrics and there's a bang then to my mind, it has to be the pump as that's the only thing that's electrical and mechanical in there. Maybe something's got into the pump and is jamming the motor, which causes the bang and then trips the electric.

Maybe something's got into the pump and is jamming the motor, which causes the bang and then trips the electric.

Checking all the filters are clear would be a good start. I would think if anything got into the pump it would be pretty final.

You say it was in the house when you moved in. How long ago was that?

Might need mending with a new one

Sure it's not a tumble dryer?

There's very little you can do with dishwashers, but whenever ours plays up I take all the inside bits out and look at them. Then I turn it upside down and see that there's nothing I can do.

I put it all back together, wipe up the water on the floor and it seems to work fine for another 18 months.

I moved in 2 1/2 years ago but only use it once a week.

So to look inside do I approach from underneath?

Inside as in where you put the plates. Dismantle the filter and spray arms etc and blow in them a bit.

the small chinese children inside it that clean the dishes have escaped from the tank

replacement required

Inside as in where you put the plates

Er, OK! How about looking at the electronic bits? Worth looking to see if anything's got damp?

Thankfully every dishwasher I've known has made big bangy noises at some stage….

Sounds like your Flux Capacitor.

This is no laughing matter….

Shall I just get a Miele? Seems to be the answer to most white goods related problems….

We have just bought a Miele. 'kin expensive but thus far no banging noises, just a gentle hum.

I think the electronic bits fall into the category "nothing I can do". Try what I said – honest it works.

Do you know where the cat is while this is going on?

anything blowing a trip has a electrical earth fault and should not be used until the cause is found,

"just a gentle hum"

don't worry, the smell fades over time.

anything blowing a trip has a electrical earth fault and should not be used until the cause is found,

Not necessarily. It can just be that it goes over the trip's rated current. Exactly what could happen if the pump motor jammed…