They are separate (though indirectly related) issues. The timer is just that, a (mechanical) timer that turns at a calibrated rate and then sliding contacts either turn it off or on. The heating element is completely independent of the timer. Check continuity on it, and if it is open continuity, pull it out and look at it. You find (usually) the heating coil is broken somewhere. These two components are related, however, in that if the timer runs all the time, the coil will prematurely fail. The drier timer puts the drier in a cool down mode at the end of the cycle to ease thermal shock on the heating element. That's why both components of my drier failed at the same time. The timer was $150! The drier itself was $300. I got the heating coil on-line for about $25. It still works though!