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Happy New Year folks!
Let me begin by noting that the display on this dryer doesn’t work (hasn’t done since we were given it for nothing a couple of years ago).
It has suddenly lost it’s heat since yesterday. It tumbles, blows air but does not heat. After a while of tumbling it will stop itself, and the door will unlock.
I have done a bit of troubleshooting, and am looking for any tips on how to get further if possible:
I’ve checked the obvious stuff (door filter, removable unit inside bottom front of dryer (metal thing like a radiator?), water reservoir.
Also had the back off and had a look at the element – very carefully turned the unit on and felt a bit of heat coming from the element, but didn’t leave on for very long, so I don’t know if it is heating to its normal level.Any advice as to how to proceed further? – I have a decent multimeter so can do basic electrical testing. What else should I consider checking?
Cheers in advance
AinslieRe: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
Have you checked the condenser for blockages?
From what you describe the element seems to be working but it should glow red, just to warn you, :lesson: you should not test the appliance with the covers off.The element has 2 sections which when split give 1/2 heat, if either of the sections of element are faulty then you can get the fault described. It can be tested for continuity with a multimeter. Check thermostats for poor connections too.
Sometimes though if theres a blockage in the air system theres not enough air flow & heater can go off on high temp after a short time.Re: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
Seamy, thanks for the reply. I’ll check the heater element with the multimeter – hopefully it’s just that as the air system appears to be clear, there’s certainly no visible blockages and the air flow is strong enough.
Re: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
Further investigation has been happening tonight. The heater element appears to be working – there is continuity on both sections.
I also checked for continuity on the two terminals on the pump motor, but it is reading open circuit. I guess this is not a good sign.
I got lost looking for the thermostat, so can’t report back on that.Ainslie
Re: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
Can someone possibly advise me where I might find the thermostat (s) on this machine so I can test them?
Cheers
Ainslie
Re: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
There are 2 thermostats mounted on heater, one with red dot is normally a one shot device (non resetting), other one would cycle on & off at about 90c approx. Theres also an NTC (thermister) mounted in the hot air duct which controls heating via the p.c.b, N.T.C should read approx’ 6Kohm at 20c.
The drum as you can see is divided into 2 sections which are electrically separated, (insulated by a plastic divider) this via the brushes sends imformation as to how dry the clothes are in the drum.
Obviously if you were to test with no damp clothes in drum on sensor dry setting it will cut out after a short while.Re: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
Further update:
Found the NTC thermistor, it is showing about 4Kohm at room temperature, when dipped in hot water the resistance drops steadily. Is this the normal behaviour?
Removed the heater element to check, both thermostats (one with a red dot, one unmarked) show continuity at room temp, both show 0 Kohms at room temp. Is this normal for them? – I don’t really have a way of heating them up to check for any change in resistance.Many thanks for the help so far,
AinslieRe: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
All the results you have just posted are correct ,the two stats on the heater are limit stats and go open circuit at a fixed temp
Jim
Re: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
Cheers Jim, looks like the problem is somewhere else then. Can you suggest anything else which would cause the problems I’ve observed?
Also, I have tried to test the water pump for continuity but am getting none across the two terminals which I assume are the power feed – if this has failed, would the machine not heat as a safety measure perhaps?Ainslie
Re: Zanussi ZDC 5355W condenser (sensor) dryer not heating
You should be getting about 750 ohms across the pump terminals with it disconnected using the continuity setting on your meter (does not have to be the exact amount but you should be getting a reading )..Always make sure plug is out before any testing :zap:
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