I have an old TC 470, which has recently begun to intermittently stick. The machine stopped and SWMBO reported "burning smell". I have traced this, I think, to a build up of lint in the drum seal. I had to move the drum & rear of the machine back from the casing slightly to do this. Now the machine spins OK, but no heat.
Of course, I could have disconnected something during the repair, but drum rotates OK, fan seems to be spinning. How do I get at the heater to check it. Do I have to take the entire back & drum off? Anything else to check first?

Crinkly Dave, September 2004

Same problem and mine turned out to be the reset switch too. I'd like to add that you don't need to mess about removing the drum bearing to get at the heater element (as I did!). I'd also like to add that I replaced my original drum bearing as it was badly worn. The drum axle was wearing through the plate that supports the bearing. It was about £5 for a new one mail order.

holdy, September 2004

Solved it myself.
The heater is behind the pressing which bolts onto the main rear panel, but is sealed with a gasket material, so can be a bit difficult to remove after taking off the 7mm screws.
Lift off the pressing, and the heater is held onto the main panel with 2 screws. Take these out and the heater will come off. This exposes the overtemperature cutoff, which you cure by pressing in the button. All OK
My theory is the drum stopped, so the rear fan stopped, so the heater cutoff was triggered.
Found quite a bit of lint not only at the front seal, but also at the rear of the drum, where it can only be reached after removing the pressing to get at the heater

Crinkly Dave, September 2004