F13 - not heating.
Power off, drag machine out onto the floor, remove front cover (a separate 'how to' in itself) remove white plastic cover to heater (at Bottom of drum). Check the heater, heater connections, thermostat connections , (looking for a burnt out terminal or wire). If testing with a multimeter, disconnect the wiring and take a resistance reading across the terminals - should be around 20 ohms. If heater is blown (broken internal heater wire) it will give an infinite resistance. There should be no continuity between the either terminal and the metal sheath of the heater - if there is, there's an internal short circuit. When removing heater, disconnect wiring, undo central mounting nut (the earthed connection) and prise it out of its rubber seal - may require some effort but if you are replacing it then once the element moves (about an inch) you can get a screwdriver and prise out the rubber seal i.e. if you damage the rubber it doesn't matter. Replace heater, use sealant (although when bolted in, it seems a very snug fit. When refitting rubber seal and ensure it is fully pushed into the recess in the backplate. Make sure the bolt is done up tightly as this 'squashes' the rubber seal and provides the seal.
This is a quick run through on what I had to do and not a step by step explanation so beware there are a few bolts and connections that need a bit of care to remove and refit. Also in the end I had to remove the front of the drum (the glass bit) as well as I just couldn't shift the old heater element out. This took time be actually was easier than expected.
BV, December 2010
