My Whirlpool dehumidifier runs, but compressor does not come on.......we do have moisture in the basement because the basement recently had a water problem.....and typically the compressor would come on. We purchased unit in June 2002.

You may think that it is working' but it may be that the blower is running and not the compressor. You need to check the compressor and see if it is overheated or not.

Does it have a filter?
http://whirlpool.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/953

also:

"
It may be that the humidity level or temperature in the room where your dehumidifier is located is too low.

When the outdoor temperature is below 50 F, the indoor air will be dry even when the air inside is warm, therefore when it's cold outside the dehumidifier may collect little or no water.

Air conditioners will also remove moisture from the room, even if it's hot and humid outside, resulting in little or no moisture collecting in the dehumidifier bucket.

Some dehumidifiers have a deicer which turns off the compressor but keeps the fan running. When the compressor is off, moisture is not removed from the air. The deicer turns off the compressor when the room temperature is cold.

Some dehumidifiers do not have a deicer. If the room temperature is low enough, ice may form on the evaporator coil. The ice prevents the dehumidifier from removing and collecting water. If ice forms on coils, unplug dehumidifier until ice melts and room temperature rises."

Hi,
There are many reasons why a dehumidifier willnot work or collect water.
Here is a tip that I wrote to help people to figure out what is going wrongwith their dehumidifier

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket

heatman101

Hi,
There can be many reasons why a dehumidifier willnot work or collect water.
Here is a tip that I wrote to help people to figure out what is going wrongwith their dehumidifier

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4662409-dehumidifier_running_but_no_water_in

heatman101

is compressor running fan maybe compressor must be running for dehum to take the compressor has a distint sound should be easy to tell by sound

The biggest reason is plugged filter...or te coil bhind the filter is plugged. Then you get into whether the compressor itself is running or not. Just because the fan is running does not mean the compressor is

whats it set on, check and verify the the compressor running if not wont pull out any humidity

Your coil temperature has to be below the dewpoint of the air in the basement to remove the moisture. If you can set the temperature lower or the fan speed lower it will help.

Hi,
There are many reasons for a dehumidifier to not work or collect water.
Here is a tip that I wrote to help people to figure out what is going wrong with their dehumidifier.

Dehumidifier is running but no water is in bucket
http://www.fixya.com/support/r4662409-dehumidifier_running_but_no_water_in

heatman101

A dehumidifier heats and cools the air to remove moisture. Most are like a small air cond. The Condenser coil is right in front of the evap.coil. So the compressor may not be coming on. Does it sound the same as before? It may be low on freon. You will have to get in there and listen and feel the lines at or near the compressor, Learn how to get down in there to the compressor. Run it for 10 Mins. unplug it, open it up, and feel the lines. Some lines should be or can be HOT to the touch. Some should be cool. The smaller the line the hotter it should be, and the compressor should be warm (to hot) to the touch. repost for more info.