OT: I hate damp socks ......

[J Miller]

........ our dryer quit heating.

OK, we have an on line site for appliance parts, we have the brand and model number so what I need to know is how to tell for positive if it's the heating coil or the thermostat that has died. The tumbler will still tumble so that part is OK.

There's some pretty savvy people on this forum so I'm hoping someone can help me with some diagnostic tips.

TIA

Joe

[Loke]

The first thing that I would check is the heating element. I've gone through 4 (maybe 5) in the dryer that I have had for 20+ years. They are not hard to change, but remember to unplug it first. 220v really hurts.
For a diagnosis, remove the coil, and look for a break. It will be obvious.

[J Miller]

The first thing that I would check is the heating element. I've gone through 4 (maybe 5) in the dryer that I have had for 20+ years. They are not hard to change, but remember to unplug it first. 220v really hurts.
For a diagnosis, remove the coil, and look for a break. It will be obvious.

Thank you, I can do that.

Joe

[Pitchy]

String rope between what ever is available, free is good.
We don`t use our dryer that has the same problem as yours, winter we string rope in the house.

[J Miller]

String rope between what ever is available, free is good.
We don`t use our dryer that has the same problem as yours, winter we string rope in the house.

Yep, that's what my wife is doing. But this house is so small we don't really have room for that.

Joe

[Mike D.]

Yep, I'll wager that it's the element. Happened to me twice in the the 34 yrs we had the old 1974 avocado green Maytag. It was still workin' when we bought the new energy efficient one.

[J Miller]

We're going to have to move a bunch of storage boxes that are in the way, then we can pivot the dryer around and take the back off. As soon as we get that done I'll know.

Joe

[Pisgah]

Replacing the elment is easy; getting to the $%#@! thing is H**l! I have done it on three dryers, and I just about had to completely disassemble them just to get to the element. Why on earth they were designed that way is anyone's guess, but mine is -- ease of manufacture, not ease of service!

[J Miller]

Replacing the elment is easy; getting to the $%#@! thing is H**l! I have done it on three dryers, and I just about had to completely disassemble them just to get to the element. Why on earth they were designed that way is anyone's guess, but mine is -- ease of manufacture, not ease of service!

Sounds like a lot of cars and trucks I've had to work on. The design engineers have no concept of what happens after the things leave the assembly line.

Joe

[Hagler]

Joe,

A "thermal fuse" will cause your problem, too. It has been more than 20 years since I changed one on my grandmother's dryer. Bypassing them with jumper wires helped me to detemine which one was bad. I remember the replacement was somewher under $10.00. Good luck!

Shawn

[J Miller]

I saw that fuse in the schematic. Thanks for the tip.

Joe

[claybob86]

Heating element on my Kenmore went about a year ago. Dern thing was'nt even quite 20 years old yet! Anyway, the element was cheap and easy to replace, plus it was a good opportunity to clean a bunch of lint out from the rear panels. Seeing what came out of there, I think I'll do that more often!

[marlinman93]

Use your meter to check resistance on the elements, if they aren't obviously open. Disconnect power, remove the leads to the element, then put the meter on ohms R1, and check the elements end to end. If they read open they're bad.

[Griff]

'Bout all I can say Joe, don't get them wet! Yep, you needed that! Don't deny it! I've been out on the road for 5 weeks straight, the other nite the Mrs. asked if I was outta clean clothes. BIG mistake... I tole 'er, "nope, Walmart's well stocked!" Thhen listened to 30 minutes of her "naggin' wife" routine! NO amount of "I'm KIDDIN'" would get her to ease off!

[RustyJr]

Make sure you check your dryer vent. Ours got clogged with lint and had to be cleaned out. Before we cleaned it out it would take us five hours to dry a load of towels.

RustyJr