Indication of a fault within the machine - i'd start with the heater.
check the heater and thermostat connections and the connections on the timer, (looking for a burnt out terminal or wire). The machine would have stopped in heat pause, and is waiting for the water to reach the correct temperature before advancing on.
Repair and service your own washing machine. Check out www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html
dannyboy, November 2008
