Ok for you and everyone who might encounter this problem on either following Hotpoint, Electra, Creda, Indesit driers. You may also find that other makes are the same also.Firstly you have either an element gone which i very much doubt or you may have a wire broken at the element or a thermostat. I will choose the later as 9 times out of 10 this is usually the culprit.Ok remove the mains plug DO NOT OPERATE THIS MACHINE CONNECTED TO THE MAINS WITH ANY COVER EXPOSING DANGEROUS LIVE PARTS AND REMEMBER THESE ELEMENTS GET VERY HOT AND CAN INJURE OR CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS. Ok with all that said remove the back cover from the machine. Check all wires to the side of the element make sure there are no broken wires. Inspect the element have a look inside it if you can or undo the very small screw on the bottom which pushes against a china block make sure that you note how this element sits in the china block and take care removing the element if you have to as it is fragile. check the springed elements inside for any breaks usually they do break apart through overheating. If this is the case i would advise that you change both the element and the thermostat or thermostats. On older driers a thermostat was attached to the element itself on newer versions there are two thermostats which sit in a sloped cover above the element these are screwed into place by two small grub screws. Make sure you note which thermostat came from where and also note any coloured markings on the thermostat when you withdraw them. replace in pairs in other words if you have two then replace with two. fitting is the reverse of what i have stated above but check each new thermostat against the old one as each are different. make sure they go back in the correct sequence.Why does the thermostats blow? well when you get the back off make sure that you have a small paint brush, a vacuum cleaner, handy it might also be advised to wear safety glasses and a mouth mask as there might be considerable dust clean your machine of any fluff found as build up of this is a fire hazard and also causes overheating. Another cause is opening and shutting the door while the machine is in cycle this causes cold air to be drawn into the machine before the machine has time to stop. This is a common fault! Hope this helps you and you solve your problem.
Carlito Corway, January 2008