I worked it out myself... the key learning is that VERY FEW repairs need you to disassemble that part. So unless you are 100% sure that's where the issue is, leave it alone!

 

why not share your solution with other forum members

 

Glad to - but really I learned from seeing an inverted picture of a working one! I have yet to see if the machine is completely working but I can confirm that the bean selector mechanism works fine when the motor is disconnected.

I'm working at the minute but I'll try to write it up (and take pics short of taking it apart as I am reluctant to spoil my good fortune!) a bit later. I may even be able to report that the machine is fully working - if not I know I need a new grinder and to leave the bean hopper well alone!

 

Hope this helps others.

Word of warning only repair this machine in a warm room of 18C and above. Do read this through
before commencing.

My machine had the dreaded System Error 14.I decided to clean out the grinder. These are my steps.

There are some Youtube films, of maintaining the Melitta Caffeo Barista TS, which are worth
studying and which enables me to write about my experiences.

1. Watch the Youtube how to dis-assemble in 4 minutes. A word of warning - do put a cloth in the
ground powder hopper to reduce the risk of losing the rubber cap and screw into the bowels of
the machine.

2. When easing off the top cover I found it easier to use a spudger on both sides at the rear and
work towards the front gently lifting. When you take it off you will notice a 3 protuding clips,
which engage with the front panel cover.

2. Clean out all the beans from the hopper.

3. Make sure the lever for the coarseness of the grinding is in the centre. The reason for this
comes later.

3. Remove the cap which covers the Bean 1 and 2 hopper mechanisms. Remove these 2 cradles noting
their orientation. They may need persuading but in a warm room it should not be a problem.
Clean them with an artists paint brush.

4. Now remove the 3 screws retaining the hopper and lift it away to your left.

5. Remove the top sponge - do note its orientation.

6. Then remove the rubber seal - again note the orientation although it does only have 1 working
position but it saves faffing about when re-assembling.

7. Now remove the bottom sponge. It will only fit in 1 position.

8. This now allows you to push the grinder towards the other side to release it from the spigot
and free up the removal of the control lever for the level of bean grinding.

9. Now you can prise off this black cap.

10. If you now look on the other side of the grinder you should see a cradle for the sensor.
Just ease this away from the grinder. There is no need to separate the connector from the
cradle. You can let this fall away into the cavity. It won't go far.

11. If you look at my image a red line has been drawn to keep the alignment. I do not know
if this was done in the factory.

12. Remove this white cap very gently as you can see from this next image a small ball bearing,
which facilitates the movement of the grinding lever.

13. REMOVE this ball bearing before progressing.

14. Now you can separate the two halves of the grinding mechanism and clean them with a brush.
I believe the compacted ground coffee, which I found in the grinding blades, has occurred because the
machine was kept under a kitchen cupboard. Only time will tell.

15. Put everything back together and hopefully, like me, System Error 14 goes away.

I am struggling to add any images from my Google Photos. Can any body help me?

 

Help!

I disassembled the grinder section of the machine but I have no idea where / which way the 2 pieces of sponge and the rubber seal are supposed to go. I only found these instructions afterwards...

Does anyone have a diagram or photos or anything / something that can help me?

Thanks so much in advance