I have a Hotpoint TDC32S it's out of warranty literally by a matter of weeks and it's stopped heating, just cold air!
I suspect a Thermostat but not sure. Are they easy/cheap to buy and fix?
Any recommendations where to go and get it fixed cheaply would also be appreciated.

M Jenkins, February 2005

Doc?!!

Ages since you asked but here's an answer anyway. Just had a similar problem with my 4 year old Hotpoint TDC60 Condenser Dryer. I fixed mine by replacing the thermostats.

How I replaced the thermostats:

Unplugged the machine.

Thermostats are on the rear of the machine.
To access them I had to unscrew and remove three covers:
First Cover is about 2" square and located on the back, centrally.
Second is just below the first and is actually a piece of angle, horizontal and about 21x1".
Third is the large cover shaped like a moon boot. This piece has a gasket. My 'moon boot' was stuck to the large back panel of the machine. I gently prised the 'moon boot' away with a flat bladed screw driver. On inspection it looked like it was dried dust that had caused the panels to stick together; the gasket was fine.

With the three panels removed, I saw the two thermostats directly above the heating element.

Using a continuity tester I found that one of the thermostats had no continuity.

**Before removing them I took a digital photo to record where the wires and the thermostat with the coloured dot were located**.

I removed the thermostats.

I ordered and bought a pair of new thermostats from my local white goods spares shop for £17. They only come in pairs.

I fitted the new thermostats using my photo for reference.

I chucked the broken thermostat and kept the working, but old, thermostat.

Finally, I replaced the covers and plugged in the machine. It works!

Matt, June 2005

Who the 'H' is Doc? Elements never break at 12 month old. It's the thermastats. You can buy a kit with both in that is cheap. As for buy spares yourself then getting an enginner to fit them, most engineers will tell you to get f*****!

Disgruntled, February 2005

I ca be sure it is the element.This works like a hairdryer but bigger.At the rear of the machine you shoud be able to get at the element and remove,Unless it is inside then you need an engineer because you need to remove a few items.They are not expensive if you buy them yourself and just pay labour.

doc, February 2005