Electrical testing with a bulb and battery

Hi

Great site, really good advice guy’s.

I’ve got a four year old White Knight AW44 which on the face of it appears to be working ok (the door is warm to touch) and the clothes come out slightly drier but still damp. It’s got two heat settings, and we always use highest, always on for around 30 mins.

Not having a multimeter, I’ve tested via an old 12v battery and bulb. The TOC and the thermostat both light the bulb when I pass a current through them, but I get nothing from either the high or low heater rings. Now one should have lit up because it’s using energy- what am I missing? (aside from the multimeter!)

Thanks