Ariston AWD12suk…thermistors, and 3 blinks code

Hi, first forgive me if this is in the wrong place…

Comment: Hi, i got three blinks, suggesting thermistor/short.

Sadly i ordered a thermistor elsewhere thinking it was the correct one, i needed the one above the drum where the fan is(the metal one) and received the white plastic one for the water temperature…i had looked for the metal one, but could only find the plastic one.
Anyhow, i thought at the time of ordering why have they reduced the quality from metal to plastic, not realising that there are two thermistors..as when i went to the back of the machine, i never saw the plastic one,(hidden by cables) and anyway, you might find it funny to know the water thermistor, doesnt work to well as a heat sensor and goes a lovely carbon black….
Anyhow i have one or two questions..
1. Are these thermistors supposed to have continuity at room temperature, as the two i have dont…i still have the original metal and plastic ones, the plastic one remains attached to the machine.

2. How are you supposed to get the plastic water heater thermistor out, do you just pry the rubber holder apart?..the metal one is a no brainer because of the holding screws.

I have completely cleaned out the slurry, was really gunked up, and checked the tubes etc…

Funny thing is for a short while replacing the metal heater thermistor with the water temperature one worked for a while, but then we noticed steam vent out of the powder draw, and could hear bubbling etc, also the dial window fogged up to…

Eventually we got the continuous turning dial, and the 3 blinks, which led me to re check the metal(now wrongly plastic thermistor) only to find it carbonised.

Initally i thought this part didnt last long, but in checking it out i then noticed the fluff collection, initially i thought i had removed it all, but had simply pulled dry fluff out from the hole where the thermistor was…at this time i had not opened the metal casing, nor had i noticed the fluff collector, it seemed YELLOW, and i thought it was just one odd coloured plastic unit, and unsure of its purpose.

Only now have i realised it was more of what looks like compacted hamster bedding…suffice to say it has been cleaned out completely, as was the basic metal sieve trap too.

So, in summing up, dont put water thermistors where a heater one goes, i hope youve learned your lesson..doh!

Finally, i am wondering if ive damaged the dryer heater…i get continuity across the contacts, but when i touch parts of the spiralling it does seem to give me a continuity signal, though on other parts of the spiral it does not..so do i need a dryer heater too?

I have not checked the water heater other than to say it has continuity.

Wife wants new machine, but i dont mind paying for a heater(dryer one) and would ask should i get the cheaper one at £16 or go for the £28 one.

I know the machine has a terrible write up, but i am thinking £50 plus in parts is better than £500 on a new machine, plus the machines seem even flimsier today and less quality.

We dont have space for two machines…but am thinking is it better to just stick with a good washer, and use an airer…

I might add i tend to think i need new bushes, as we get a black under the drum on the floor from time to time..

Thanks for any advice.

Warm regards
Ian.