it would seem that I need to change a faulty element pack on a Hoover TC650 dryer. How easy is this repair and how much does the part cost?

Frank Morgan, July 2004

you'll find the part in maplin electronics

matt, August 2007

Have taken your advice - Kelper - but cannot find where to buy a replacement thermal fuse like the one I have removed. Any ideas welcome. Incidentally it has 130 degrees printed on it.

Martin, July 2007

I was rather interested in the answers given to this problem. It is very rare that the heater element itself will give a problem, more often than not the cause is a thermal fuse that is mounted on the inside of the heater element pack. It is relatively easy to replace and costs £1.75 here in the Falkland Islands. This problem is caused by the area surrounding the heating elements becoming overheated by the power being suddenly cut off during a cycle. The thermal fuse is set to break at 152 degrees C.

Kelper, June 2007

Oh, I forgot to say that the part costs about £40. And the connectors from Halfords are probably about a quid or 2.

Wispy, August 2004

I also ordered my replacement park from the address below, and it turned up 2 days later.
But I've found a much easier way to fix it (without calling an expert). Go to Halfords and get a pack of flat male spade connectors (you only need 4 conectors). Take off the big silver cover on the back of the dryer. On the old unit (that's still attached to the machine) pull back the white cover (at the dryer end) that's got the 4 coloured wires inside, and cut the wires so they stick a fair way out of the hole in the back of the dryer. Take off the old unit. Fit a flat male spade connector to each of the 4 wires. Plug the new fitted spade connectors into the matching sockets on the end of the wires of the new unit. Screw the new unit onto the back of the machine. Replace the cover. Enjoy dry clothes again!

Wispy, August 2004

I am back. I actually received the part ca. one week after ordering. The installation though is slightly tricky. Take off the element on the back as described above (there are only two top screws holding the element in pace and you have to unhinge it by pushing it up). The new element has 3 wires that have a slot on connector. The tricky bit is to get to the other end of the connector of the three wires which is inside a small hole. In order to see into the hole I suggest to remove the air wheel by pressing with pliers the metal holder together so it slips just over the inner ring, then just pull it off. When holding a flash light into the opening it will illuminate the hole from behind. Use some tweezers or similar to catch the connector of each cable on the other side of the cable. Be carefull as when you pull the wires they can disconnect accidentally and the other end will vanish in darkness. Holding the other end of the connector with tweezers to prevent it to vanish, disconnect the cable and connect the one from the new element. Repeat this for each cable and voila - it is done. Just screw everything back on :-) It is easier as it sounds and I am not a DIY guy.

Markus, July 2004

I have a similar problem with my Hoover TC650 tumble dryer as several before me (no heat, everything else works, clean filter light on). The call out charge alone is ridiculous (£80). If the advice from E Lambert is correct, then one "only" needs to replace the element. Getting to the element is fairly simple, unplug dryer, take off metal cover at back of dryer and the element is revealed. To see a picture and to order a spare part look at http://www.sparesrus.biz/ol-catlg/td-element-05.php. I will now order one and see whether it works. I will report back in a weeks time.

Markus, July 2004