Hello all.
We have a Bosch WTL 5400 condenser drier (bought in 1999) which, for some
reason, has started to take ages to dry wet clothes. The drying cycle
starts and ends fairly quickly, but the clothes are still damp. Setting the
cycle off again - it does the same and the clothes become slightly less
damp, but not yet dry.
We have checked the filters (both cleaned out) and have cleaned the sensors,
but to no avail.
Can anyone help?

Jo

We have checked the filters (both cleaned out) and have cleaned the
sensors,
but to no avail.

How often do you clean the condensor element?

My Bosch one seems to stay clean for ages, but still needs a run under the
tap every 6 months.

Christian.

"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
. net...
We have checked the filters (both cleaned out) and have cleaned the
sensors,
but to no avail.

How often do you clean the condensor element?

My Bosch one seems to stay clean for ages, but still needs a run under the
tap every 6 months.

Christian.


It had a run under the tap at the weekend and before that - a few months
earlier.

Jo

"Jo" wrote in message
...

"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
. net...
We have checked the filters (both cleaned out) and have cleaned the
sensors,
but to no avail.

How often do you clean the condensor element?

My Bosch one seems to stay clean for ages, but still needs a run under
the
tap every 6 months.

Christian.


It had a run under the tap at the weekend and before that - a few months
earlier.

Jo

Oh, hang on a mo....I think you may be talking about something different. I
was thinking of the filter section at the bottom fromt of the drier. What
exactly is the 'condensor element'?
Jo

Oh, hang on a mo....I think you may be talking about something different.
I
was thinking of the filter section at the bottom fromt of the drier. What
exactly is the 'condensor element'?

It is a heat exchanger. It consists of a metallic block about 20cm x 15cm x
5cm with lots of pipes running through one way and plate fins running across
them.

It is normally found by removing the lower front panel of the machine,
pushing locking bars out of the way and withdrawing it with a handle. It is
usually encased in blue cotton strands that should be removed before washing
the whole lot in the sink.

Christian.

"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
. net...
Oh, hang on a mo....I think you may be talking about something
different.
I
was thinking of the filter section at the bottom fromt of the drier.
What
exactly is the 'condensor element'?

It is a heat exchanger. It consists of a metallic block about 20cm x 15cm
x
5cm with lots of pipes running through one way and plate fins running
across
them.

It is normally found by removing the lower front panel of the machine,
pushing locking bars out of the way and withdrawing it with a handle. It
is
usually encased in blue cotton strands that should be removed before
washing
the whole lot in the sink.

Christian.


Aah, that does sound like the bit we've been cleaning.

Jo

Aah, that does sound like the bit we've been cleaning.

In which case, it sounds like your sensor system.

Just to be straight, the dryer warms up and spins the clothes, but it just
stops after a few minutes, even when it is still wet?

Does it have a timed mode? If so, try setting it to dry for an hour. Then it
should be clear if it stops because of the sensor, or some other reason,
like a high temp cutout.

Christian.

On Tue, 1 Feb 2005 13:36:56 -0000, "Jo"
strung together this:

Can anyone help?

Sounds like something needs replacing, probably a faulty stat
somewhere.
--

SJW
Please reply to group or use 'usenet' in email subject

Its the moisture sensing bit.
My AEG measures the resistance between the drum proper and the "paddles".
If they get a coating, especially from fabric softener then you have a high
resistance all the time and the clothes are "dry".
See if there is anything in the manual about this.
I cleaned mine with vinegar.
Rgds
Alec

"Alec" wrote in message
...
Its the moisture sensing bit.
My AEG measures the resistance between the drum proper and the "paddles".
If they get a coating, especially from fabric softener then you have a
high
resistance all the time and the clothes are "dry".
See if there is anything in the manual about this.
I cleaned mine with vinegar.
Rgds
Alec

We did clean them with vinegar at the weekend. I believe the sensors have
'gone'. Christian suggeted testing out using the timer function as opposed
to the sensors. I've just dried a load, set to 40 mins, and it worked!
Looks like it must be the sensors. Thanks Christian. Why didn't I think of
that! (Must be something to do with being female!!)
Jo

In message , Jo
writes
"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
.net...
We have checked the filters (both cleaned out) and have cleaned the
sensors,
but to no avail.

How often do you clean the condensor element?

My Bosch one seems to stay clean for ages, but still needs a run under the
tap every 6 months.

It had a run under the tap at the weekend and before that - a few months
earlier.

A run under the tap??? My Zanussi's condenser definitely benefits from a
medium-pressure hose swooshing water through it both ways every 6 months
or so.

But surely this isn't the problem as the Op wrote,
The drying cycle starts and ends fairly quickly, but the clothes are
still damp.
which suggests the sensor(s) have failed.

--
dave @ stejonda

But surely this isn't the problem as the Op wrote,

The drying cycle starts and ends fairly quickly, but the clothes are
still damp.

which suggests the sensor(s) have failed.

Indeed. However, some dryers will also shut down prematurely if the
condensor is blocked, so that was also a possibility, one that was easy to
eliminate.

Christian.