!8: Whirlpool Thermal Fuse Best Quality: November 2011

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

How to Check the Heating Element on a Whirlpool Electric Dryer

!±8± How to Check the Heating Element on a Whirlpool Electric Dryer

If your Whirlpool electric dryer has stopped heating, it can wreak havoc on your life until it's repaired. If you're a bit handy, this article will help you locate the most common components that can fail and cause the dryer to stop heating.

When working on an electric dryer, the first thing to be aware of is that it plugs into a 240 volt outlet. It's very important to make sure that the dryer in unplugged before attempting any diagnostics with the dryer.

There are several components in a dryer that can fail and cause it not to dry. Using a multi-meter, these components can easily be checked from accessing them at the rear of the dryer.

First, make sure the dryer cord has been removed from the outlet. Next detach the vent from the rear of the dryer and move it to the side. You will have to remove ten 1/4 sockets screws to remove the back panel. From here you can check the heating element, thermal fuse, hi-limit thermostats and operating thermostat.

The heater is located on the right side. To check the heating element, remove the two red wires attached to the heater terminal located on bottom of the heater casing. Test the terminals with your multi-meter and you should have continuity. If not, then the heating element is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Another component that fails often is the thermal fuse which is located on the left side. The thermal fuse is white, thin and about two inches in length. Check this for continuity. If the fuse is bad, you will want to make sure that the dryer venting leading from the dryer to outside is clear. If it gets too hot inside the dryer, this non reset able fuse will fail.

Attached to the heating element casing are two hi-limit thermostats that can be tested for continuity. Unplug the wires and test with your multi-meter. One thermostat is located on the top and the other on the bottom near the heating element terminals. If these thermostats fail, they will cut power to the heating element.

Finally, from the rear of the dryer, the operating thermostat can be tested. The operating thermostat cycles the heat to turn on and off in order to maintain an average temperature near 155 degrees on the normal cycle. It's located just below the thermal fuse. Check the continuity between the two larger terminals on the thermostat. If the it does not have continuity, it will have to be replaced.

If after testing these components the dryer is still not heating, you may have to call your local appliance repair company to investigate further. The problem may lie with a few more components or wiring.