Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

[davetherave]

Hi my condenser dryer has started to stop during any of its cycles. Doesn’t matter if its on a timed programme such as 30 mins, or if its on sensor one like cupboard dry. I have cleaned out the filters, lint filters and surrounding areas (which I have done regularly as part of the general maintenance routine). Had the dryer from new for 3 years. Working perfectly until now.

It will run for about 5 minutes then just stops. All the lights flash on and off together. I read that the flashing is supposed to represent a fault code but it never pauses the flashing, its a constant flash on/off until I turn off the power.

The drum goes round OK, can’t hear any weird noises.

The only other thing I notice is the glass on the door feels hotter than normal after the dryer faults.

Any ideas where to start troubleshooting this would be greatly appreciated!

[kaibart]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

1st thing to check would be the heater. Do you know how to use a multimeter if so check continuity through the thermostat and ntc on the heater. 3 common faults when the lights flash are heater front ntc, thermostat and worse case the pcb is faulty

[davetherave]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

Hi thanks. I checked the heater, thermostat and ntc which seemed faulty. I bought and replaced all of these with brand new parts. However it still shuts down like before. The biggest difference is that the heater cover backplate is very hot and the glass door is very hot. If there is only the PCB to check what can I do to test?

[kaibart]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

Does the drum rotate? There is a ntc on the font which requires a lot of dismantling facia off and front panel off to chang the pcb is in the front facia with the heater you changed did you pull off all wires and check continuity through each if you had 0.5 ohms it would have been ok

[davetherave]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

Hi I checked continuity which was OK on old and new heater. Although the old one looked like the elements hard warped. I didn’t realise there was another ntc under the drum at the back. So I have just replaced that with a new one. Whilst the drum was off I gave everything a good hoover out and checked all wires were secured properly. The drum rotates. It’s just the rear gets really hot and the glass door feels too hot no matter if I put if on a 30 minute cycle or a automatic setting like iron dry or wool finish.

So NTC on front replaced, NTC under drum at back replaced. Heating element including sensors replaced.

Would the PCB be causing the overheating?

[kaibart]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

There are 3 different type of heaters fitted to that model dryer 40004314 40006990 which have 4 wires and 40007271which has 3 wires if you haven’t bought a genuine heater the wattage might be wrong. I have also attached a picture of front ntc which should have a reading in kohms

[kaibart]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

I mean non genuine heater

[davetherave]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

I bought genuine parts from Hoover direct. Although I put in the model number and it listed the compatible parts.

The sensor was a genuine part https://hooverspares.co.uk/product/40003258/Sensor+Assembly

Now I look at the heater it does look slightly different to the original one. The original 40004314 4 wires is exactly like https://hooverspares.co.uk/product/40004314/2100+Watt+Tumble+Dryer+Heating+Element

but the new one I’ve got is https://hooverspares.co.uk/product/40006990/Heater. I thought it was just an updated version seeing as the website said it was compatible.

It doesn’t mention the wattage though.

So have I purchased the wrong item?

[kaibart]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

If you have bought direct you will have correct parts the wattage will be stamped on the heater if you have change 2 ntc 1 under drum and 1 in front duct and the heater and the lights ate still flashing the only thing you have left is pcb. Are the front and back fans clear ie no fluff? And have you checked condenser? These need a really good clean I normally advise people to use a jet wash to clean them out.

[davetherave]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

Thanks for the help. Think it might be time to get a new dryer! I’ve noticed that the rear cover assembly has a lot of moisture inside it when I remove it after it has been running.

[timdowning]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

Try running the dryer with the condenser out & see if it still shuts down.
Sometimes the condensers look clean but are actually very blocked.
Rod it out with a thin length of plastic, something like a plastic ruler is the sort of shape & length you need…

[davetherave]

Re: Hoover VHC681B stops with all lights flashing constantly

Tried a ruler, even tried jet wash, not much coming out apart from water. However the condenser looks warped. Especially at the back it looks like its melted.

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