Assuming the element wasn't fried, more likely problems based on my experience with a 2005 Fiver are a bad On/Off Rocker Switch (the switch on the visible rear) or failed/ or about to fail wire nut connection within the electrical box mounted on the water heater thanks to assembly line inadequacy when your Alpenlite was built. On the other hand, if its lasted since 94...
Fortunately the electrical circuit is easy to redo as the posted schematic shows. Thats what I had to do after switch or wire nuts shorted out and the breaker didn't trip which led to a nice little fire.