The 'clean pump' light comes on (Whirlpool AWOD 5556, 6th sense washing machine), and the washer does not drain. I have cleaned the pump filter, the pump, and the hoses including the none return ball and its seat, and the outlet piping, and tested flow into a bucket, but the 'clean pump' light still comes on after a while whilst a wash is in progress. Switching to a different program seemed to do it, but now it is back to the same problem. There is nothing stuck in the water path. Can you suggest anything else?

HomeGrown, October 2011

If you have a problem with the "clean pump" light coming on with each drain cycle then I have discovered why this happens
This has little to do with the water pump but is due to the water level sensor not working properly !
This itself is due to a build-up of watery scum between the outer drum and the water level sensor - this build-up of scum tricks the sensor into believing that there is still water in the drum when it is empty.
The water pump keeps trying to empty out water when there is none ! The control then thinks that there is blockage and tells you to clean the pump !

The remedy is simple and costs nothing !
All you need is a pair of pliers and a small bottle brush with a wire handle.

1/ Turn the machine upside down
2/ Use the pliers to remove the spring circlip that holds the large outlet hose to the outer drum
3/ Pull off the large hose
4/ Insert the small bottle brush between the inner and outer drum and thoroughly clean the area toward the electrical contacts that you can see on the outside of the drum
5/ Re-fit the hose to the drum - do not forget to put the float back in !
6/ Make some tea and watch your washing machine working as it should !

Good luck

Evereddie, December 2011

Sorry, answer is to my comment instead of yours....see above!

HomeGrown, October 2011

Outlet pipe is hooked into normal sink drain size plastic pipe which drains outside. Flow looks the same as into a bucket, so no restriction there.

HomeGrown, October 2011

light can come on if machine doe's not empty in a specific time are you connected to a sink spigot ? these are notorious for restricted outlet flow, check the hole size is clear of sink gunk/grease

wirecutterman, October 2011