AEG Lavatherm 57700 – Empty Water light

My AEG Lavatherm condenser dryer (which I had nothing but trouble with, despite proud “Made in Germany” writing on front panel) stopped working again.

When I start the machine, the Empty Water comes on after roughly 1 minute of operation, despite container being empty and water path clean. I cleaned condenser once again (it is now in better-than-new state), checked that condenser outlet inside of the machine is clean. I also checked that the inlet for for the water container was clean and unobstructed by fluff.

Still, regardless of all that the machine switches itself off after 1 minute of operation.

Then I recalled that this machine has an external outlet (so that water goes straight to drain rather than to container). I changed water path (switched between pipes) at the back of the machine and put a backet under the machine’s drain pipe.

I programmed the machine to use drain pipe rather than the container by following procedure from User Guide:
1. Set machine mode to Light
2. Press Audible signal for 5 seconds
3. Change the mode which appears as U to II.
4. Change machine mode to Off.

I double checked that the mode was indeed as it should be (II) and then started the machine. It worked for about 20 minutes and put roughly two litres of water to the bucket, then “Empty Water” indicator came on again and the dryer switched itself off.

Now, on this particular machine the electronics board was changed twice, pump once and drum bearings once, all under warranty (thanks God for John Lewis!). Or at least that’s what I’ve been told.

What do you think guys? Is there a way to repair this machine quickly and cheaply or should it go to scrap and I’ll get Siemens dryer instead? The machine is 8 years (or so) old.

Sorry for such a long post, but I don’t know how to explain it better.

Many thanks in advance! 🙂