My Hotpoint TV30 Tumble Dryer only works for no more than 5 minutes at a time. Upon opening the door, the heater can be seen to be functioning as the clothes are warm. Shutting the door and switching on will start the dryer but only for a few more minutes before it stops.
The hose is not obstructed or kinked, the filter is clear and there is good airflow around the machine.

If it is a thermostat that needs replacing, which one is it (as I assume there will be more than one) and how do I find it?

I have a multimeter if there is any test that can be done.

Bill, June 2010

The heating element will not go off as long as the dryer is running with the thermostat bypassed. Only use this to test the thermostat. Replace the thermostat if necessary. :)

Sue, June 2010

WARNING... MAKE SURE YOU UNPLUG DRYER BEFORE YOU TRY ANY OF THIS! If you take the back of the dryer off you should be able to see the thermostat. It is round and about an inch in diameter. One wire plugs into it on each side. The easiest way to test if it is bad is to disconnect the two wires. Use electrical tape and tape the two wires together. This will bypass the thermostat. If the dryer heats and element stays on your thermostat is most likely bad.

SUE, June 2010