Hotpoint CTD85A thermistor/timer problem?

Hi,

First time posting here so apologies if I've got anything wrong in terms of forum etiquette. I also apologise for the long post - I just want to be thorough.

In November last year, my condenser dryer stopped working. It threw up error codes f-08 and occasionally f-10 on the LCD display. The dryer basically stopped heating up and would keep stop/starting on every cycle.

Ive always ensured I emptied the water and cleaned the filter prior to every use. I must admit I only cleaned the condenser maybe twice a year but it was always pretty clear anyway.

However, took the top and sides off to Hoover out the fluff inside and also checked out the heater element - I noticed the element itself was damp and was corroded. One of the elements wasn't even connected due to corrosion!

I ordered a replacement from hotpoint which came complete with the two thermostats and thermistor - I fitted it and it ran fine for a few days then it threw up the f-08 code frequently.

It's been like this ever since. I select a cycle, it starts fine, runs for about 15 mins, stops, adjusts the remaining time to dry, then it continues to run.

However, it always stops/starts every few minutes, it runs for 30 seconds or so (sometimes longer) then it stops for a few minutes (sometimes shorter/longer) yet the countdown timer on the display reduces accordingly.

It seems to get stuck on the last 10 mins everyt single time - I deliberately leave it to keep going until the machine beeps and showed f-08 and I have to turn it off at the wall.

I've tried resetting the thermostat so many time but makes no difference (it has never clicked when I push a pin inside the hole) - the element looks fine this time too although there is evidence of moisture at the bottom and around the bulged metal backplate/cover.

I bought a basic multimeter to test the two thermostats, they both show continuity so I assume they're fine? - never removed the thermostats to test them - I just unplugged the connectors - is that OK?

I've tried to get my head around thermistors (front and rear) too but suspect I don't fully understand it...

I once again never removed them to test. I set my multimeter to ohms (20k) I touched the probes to confirm the meter works and attached the probes at room temperature on the rear one - the meter just showed "1" which suggests that there is no reading registered. I blew a hairdryer onto the thermistor for about 30 seconds and re-checked but the meter read the same.

I repeated this method on the front thermistor which gave exactly the same results.

I assume both the thermistors are faulty?

By chance, I still had the old heater element I replaced so I tested the thermostats and the thermistor on that one which also did the same...

Any help would be appreciated because I'm tired of trying to polish a turd hahaha

Cheers!

Hotpoint CTD85A
Serial number - 502010224
Part replaced was "heater (one shot+cyc) C002258828