Troubleshooting a Kenmore Dryer for no Heat
A Kenmore dryer that is no longer heating isn't much of a dryer. While the tumbling action and airflow will eventually dry your clothes, it will take about as long as hanging them up to dry. Before you call an appliance repair service, however, try some basic troubleshooting to see if the problem is a simple fix. Keep in mind that to properly troubleshoot your dryer you should be familiar with using a digital or analog multimeter. If you don't have one, they are readily available at most hardware stores. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Check for proper airflow. It's possible your dryer may be heating just fine but airflow in the dryer is so poor it doesn't matter. Clear out the lint trap. Disconnect the exhaust vent and make sure there is no debris inside. Go outside and clean out the outside exhaust vent.
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Check the power. Kenmore electric dryers run on 240 volts, twice the voltage of normal appliances. Consequently, the circuit breaker for your dryer is actually a double breaker. It's possible for one of the breakers to flip, leaving your dryer with enough power to run but not heat. If your house still uses fuses, the dryer will have two fuses. Similarly to the breakers, one fuse can blow, allowing the dryer to run but not heat. Flip the breakers back or replace the fuses if needed.
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Check the thermal fuse. Disconnect the dryer from the power outlet. Remove the screws holding the back panel in place, using a screwdriver. Remove the back panel. Locate the thermal fuse. In Kenmore dryers, the fuse is located near the exhaust port just to the right of the blower fan casing. The fuse looks like a white piece of plastic. If the fuse is blown, you must remove it and replace it with a new one.
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Check the heating element. With the rear panel still removed and power still disconnected, locate the heating element. The heating element is on the right side of the dryer, enclosed in a metal canister. Disconnect one of the wires from the heating element terminals near the bottom of the canister. Set your multimeter to measure resistance. Touch one lead on your multimeter to one terminal and the other lead to the other terminal. If your multimeter reads no or slight resistance, your heating element is fine. If it reads infinite resistance, your heating element is bad and must be replaced.
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Check the wiring. Examine the terminal block where the power cord connects to the internal wiring of the dryer, located near the top of the back side of the dryer. Look for burned or corroded wires. If the wires are damaged, replace either the power cord or the terminal block.
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Tips & Warnings
Never work on your dryer while it is still connected to the outlet, especially if you are examining the wiring or heating element. Doing so can lead to serious injury from electrical shock.
References
- Photo Credit dirty laundry image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
