Heat on then off (element,thermostat,or thermal limiter?)

[KJW]

Model Number

FEX831FS

Brand

Frigidaire

I think I have a lot of info, but I lack the experience, hopefully a skilled person can tell me a quick fix!

I have a Frigidaire ELECTRIC combo washer/dryer station and have had problems with the dryer taking too long. It heats up, but just not hot enough. Here is the parts diagram

I ran the dryer with the door open, heat on high, and the exhaust vent detached for maximum airflow. After pressing the start button, I could see the element through the holes in the back of the drum and it began to glow red. The heat was high and things worked well. But after about 45 seconds the element turned off and wouldn't turn back on no matter how long I stood there. The drum would continue to spin, but the element would not turn on again.

This test was repeated with the same results.

This explains the long dry time...some heat initially but then it cools down and just spins.

I took the dryer apart and got to the back of the unit to see the heating element. In one 4 inch section on the top of the coil circle it was darker than the rest and there was an odd white ash-like powder on the back panel behind that part of the coil. Seems like a problem, but maybe it's normal?

Given the fact that the drum spins and the element turned on for at least 45 seconds, I have made the following assumptions: Both of the fuses are just fine, the electrical wiring to the switches works fine, and the airflow is unrestricted.

Does this sound like I simply need to replace the heating coil? Or else i'm thinking it may be a thermostat or thermal limiter (#33 & #36 on the parts list from the above link)

Please lend me any advice you may have...THANKS!

 

[Jake]

You have to run the dryer with the door closed so the air can circulate through the ventilation system in the dryer, or that element will cut off very quickly.

What I do is take a temperature reading in the back of the dryer while its on and running on high heat with no clothes in the dryer, normal cycling temp. is 120-180 degrees.

Sounds like you may have a vent restriction to where the vent goes to the outside of your house.

Dry a load with the vent exhaust off the back of the dryer and see if it drys much better and faster.

Jake

 

[KJW]

Ooooh, it makes sense that the element would kick off if the door was open...that should have been obvious...

I'm trying to remember now if I tried to dry a load with the exhaust disconnected...i thought I did, but I may have reconnected it before my second test. (This dryer is at my lake house so I can't just check it now)

Let's say I did run it with the exhaust off and it still wasn't getting hot enough...what would be the next logical cause?

And thanks a million for your help!

 

[ApplianceJunk]

Let's say I did run it with the exhaust off and it still wasn't getting hot enough...what would be the next logical cause?

I would then look for lint build up inside the dryer.

Check inside the blower housing and in the area between the back of the dryer drum and the heating element.

Lots of times on this style of dryer I can take a flashlight and look through the holes in the back of the dryer drum and see the lint build up back there.

 

[KJW]

Alright, great, so you're saying that it is most likely a venting issue whether it's in the ductwork or in the unit itself.

I already have the dryer disassembled, so I vacuumed out everything I could find. Unfortunately, my father-in-law cut the element off of the lead attachments rather than bending the prongs to slide it out (good thing he's paying for the repair )

So I get a new element coil, double check for lint buildup, put everything back together, and it should be just fine? It's important that you agree because I would hate to put it all back together just to find out that I needed to replace the thermostat or limiter.

My guess is that there is something stuck in the exhaust tube that extends out the roof and I was just thrown off by the fact that the heating element clicks off when I held the door open.

I'll get up on the roof the next time I'm out at the lake...thanks for your help! I'll try to let you know if it works!

 

[Jake]

Yes, exactly.

Yes, keep us posted.

Jake