How to Check Your Dryer to See if a Thermostat Went Bad
The heating element on your dryer has a high limit thermostat installed on the side of it. The purpose of the thermostat is to monitor the internal temperature of the heating element and disrupt the power supply to the element should it reach an unsafe temperature. The purpose of the high limit thermostat is to prevent a fire from occurring as a result of the dryer overheating. If the high limit thermostat trips, you cannot reset it and instead must replace it. To determine if the high limit thermostat has tripped, remove it from the dryer and test it using a multimeter. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Move the dryer away from the wall and then unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
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2
Remove the screw from the dryer vent clamp and then pull the vent off of the rear of the dryer.
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3
Remove the screws surrounding the rear panel of the dryer and then remove the rear panel.
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4
Locate the dryer's heating element, which is located on the right-side of the rear of the dryer at the bottom of the vent on the right side. The heating element has two terminals on the left side of it, and the high limit thermostat is installed on one of the terminals. The high limit thermostat has a round, plastic black center and a wire connected to the top of it.
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5
Remove the wire from the top of the high limit thermostat by pulling it off.
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6
Pull the high limit thermostat off of the heating element terminal.
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Configure your multimeter to the lowest setting to measure Ohms of resistance and then calibrate the multimeter. For specific instructions, refer to the meter's owner's manual.
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Touch one of the terminals on the high limit thermostat with one of the multimeter probes. Hold the probe against the terminal.
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9
Touch the other terminal with the other probe and hold the probe against the terminal.
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10
Look at the reading on the multimeter display. If the display shows zero Ohms of resistance, the thermostat is properly functioning. If the display shows any other reading, you must replace the high limit thermostat.
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