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Unfortunately as it's a vibration pump hearing it working doesn't mean it is working. Pump failure is probably the single most common Silvia issue but the good news is they are about £30 on eBay and easy to get hold of.
Something wrong with the switch or bad connections to the switch is a definite possibility.
I would take the top off and check the connections to the power switch first.
If the boiler has been running all the time it's highly likely it overheated and you need to prime it. The problems is you might not be able to, but here's the priming instructions:
Make sure that the unit is plugged in and that all of the switches on
the unit are in the off position (the bottom of the switch is
sticking out). Fill the water reservoir to about one and one half
inches from the top. Place a vessel underneath the tip of the steam
wand. Make sure that both hoses are submerged in the water reservoir,
with the tips close to the bottom. Make sure that there are no kinks
or blockages in the hoses. Flip on the hot water switch (the middle
of the three switches on the left side of the unit). Turn the steam
dial counter-clockwise until it stops turning. Flip on the power
switch (the switch with the light next to it, located in the
middle-top of the front of the unit). After about 15 seconds, you
should see water start coming out of the steam wand. Wait until four
ounces of water accumulate in the vessel, and then turn off the power
button. Turn the steam dial back clockwise until it stops turning.
Flip off the hot water switch. If, after thirty seconds, no water is
pulled through the steam wand, power the unit off, check for any
blockages or kinks in the hoses, wait 10 minutes, and repeat the
steps above.You'll need to turn it off at the mains for the 'all of the switches are on the unit are in the off position' bit, obviously.
I haven't had a coffee yet, so my brain isn't right.
How do I check the pump? I can hear it running.
The boiler is heating, as I get steam.
I don't think I've let it over heat. But I do leave it on. It clearly has over heated as when I turned it on this morning, it only gave cold. I had to take the lid off and push the red trip back in. I also wonder if there is something wrong with the main switch. As when i turned it off, it still seemed to be on (I could hear the boiler).