I also think the clean cycle damaged the heating element on my Gaggenau. It was explained to me that the oven has three elements and the first element on convection provides the initial heat quickly and then either the baking or broil element take over. So if it climbs in the beginning but then stops, it is probably using the convection element only - so have the others checked out. Another option is the temperature sensor could be malfunctioning. I think it more likely that the element is out.