Thread: whirlpool dryer won't dry.

Hi,

I would ohm your thermal cut-off for continuity. Take the wires off of it. Unplug your dryer first!
Its #6 on the top side of your heater housing here:



Manufacturer part number 279816 is RepairClinic item number 2651


Jake

i took the wires off and the measurement was between 2 and 3 ohms. is there supposed to be infinate ohms between the 2 connectors?

No, infinite ohms would mean NO continuity.

So with 2-3 ohms thats fine. You can also just jump the wires to see if it starts heating.

Also use your volt meter to test for how much voltage you have at your heating element when its running, you should have 240 volts.

Jake

would there be a need to jump the wires if the reading is ok? i'll check the voltage tomorrow after i get home from work. thanks for your help.

would there be a need to jump the wires if the reading is ok?

No, its just another way to confirm if the thermal cut-off is good or bad.

i'll check the voltage tomorrow after i get home from work.

Ok, sounds good.

Jake

ok i think i checked the heating element. i placed one of the probes on one of the red wires and the other on the the red wire with a line and i got no voltage. i placed a probe on the red wire and grounded it to the metal on the back of the dryer and got 118v. what am i doing wrong????? i also checked between the red and orange wires and got nothing. let me know where to go from here. thanks

Sounds like possibly a voltage issue in your home breaker box, check for 240 volts were your dryer cord connects to your dryer's therminal block in back of your dryer. Put your volt meter leads on both ends of the terminal block, should read 240 volts.

Remember Black & Red on the ends are HOT, White in the middle is NEUTRAL

Then put one of your meter leads in the middle of your terminal block and one on the end you should read 120 volts, then on the other end you should read 120 volts as well.

Jake

i did just that. the right side measures 118v. the other 3v. i guess i should replace the wire from the box all way to the dryer. would it be wise to tap off another line to supply the other 120v? well thanks for all of your help.

No,

Don't do that. Is the dryer power from your home breaker box or fuse box in your house?

Unless your an electrician, I wouldn't take a chance to try to rewire it, 240 volts is a way different animal than 120 volts.

To be on the safe side, I'd contact a licensed electrician to fix the voltage problem to your dryers outlet in the wall.

Jake