How to Troubleshoot Dryer Heat

Many different components can cause dryer heat problems. Electric dryers use a thermostat, thermal fuse and a heating element to heat the dryer. Gas dryers have a combination of a thermostat, hi-limit thermostat and an igniter to provide heat to the dryer. You will need to test these components to determine which one is faulty. In some dryers, the heating mechanisms are behind the toe panel under the front panel. For dryers with a solid front panel, you can reach the components by removing the rear panel. Once you have access to the components, you can begin testing them.

Things You'll Need

• Putty knife
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Volt-ohm meter

Instructions

Electric and Gas

1. Disconnect the dryer power cord from the wall outlet. If you have a toe panel, insert a putty knife between the toe panel and the front panel to locate the retaining clip securing the toe panel. Press the clip in with the putty knife and pull the toe panel away from the dryer. Accessing the rear panel requires removing the screws that secure the panel to the dryer cabinet with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

2. Find the dryer's operating thermostat. The thermostat is a round component with two wires attaching to the terminals. The thermostat mounts either to the side of the heating element housing or behind the blower housing.

3. Grab the metal leads of the wires where they connect to the thermostat terminals with a pair of needle-nose pliers and pull the wires off the terminals. Set the scale on your volt-ohm meter to RX1 and touch each of the two probes to each of the terminals. You should see a reading of zero on the meter scale. If you receive any other reading, the thermostat is faulty.

4. Pull the wires off of the thermal fuse next to the thermostat. The thermal fuse will have two wires connecting to the terminals and be close to the thermostat. With the scale on your volt-ohm meter at the RX1 setting, touch each probe to each terminal on the thermal fuse. Any reading on the scale other than zero means you will have to replace the thermal fuse.

Electric Only

1. Locate the heating element for your dryer. If you are working from the front of your dryer, the element will be in a heater can on the right side. Remove the single screw that secures the access panel to the front of the can. For rear access, the heater can is usually the long can on the right side. The heating element is toward the bottom of the can with the wire terminals readily accessible.

2. Pull the heating element wires from the heating element terminals using needle-nose pliers.

3. Set the scale on the volt-ohm meter to RX1 and touch the probes to the heating element terminals. You should again receive a reading of zero. Replace the element if it is found to be faulty.

Gas Only

1. Locate the burner assembly on the left side of the drum near the base of the dryer. The igniter is the mechanism that has two wires attaching to the rear side, and part of the igniter is inside the burner housing.

2. Remove the wires from the igniter while making note where the wires connect.

3. Set the volt-ohm meter to X1 to check the ohms. Place each of the probes on each of the terminals on the igniter. You should receive a reading between 50 and 600 ohms. If not, replace the igniter.

Tips & Warnings

• Always disconnect power from appliances before attempting repairs.

References

• Partselect.com : Testing A Dryer
• Secured.Whirlpool.com : Service Manual
• Repairclinic.com : Dryer Troubleshooting