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mcf57  
#1 Posted : Saturday, May 12, 2012 10:42:07 AM(UTC)
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mcf57

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I have a Whirlpool electric dryer that is less than a year old (model #WED4800XQ0). It suddenly stopped working. I unplugged it & then pulled it out. Removed the metal back plate that covers the cord connection area. I came to find out that the black wire (only) had somehow melted and was no longer together. All other wires (green, red and white) were in perfect shape. I figured this was the issue, but wondered why it had happened only 6 months after purchasing the dryer.

After talking to a neighbor who helps maintain Atlanta area schools (HVAC, electrical, misc, etc.). He said it was probably due to that black wire not being screwed on to the (plastic) terminal block back there tight enough. I checked the remaining black wire screwed terminal connection and sure enough, it didn't seem real tight. Therefore, I'm thinking this was the problem.

I looked into getting the black plastic block kit (Sears part #279320). Is about $50 at a local store and out of stock in my area. So for now, my neighbor helped me repair it by basically first stripping the machine's black wire back enough to good wiring. Then also stripped back the electrical plug's black wiring enough to a good area as well. Used a wire nut to connect these two black wires and wrapped it good in black electrical tape. The dryer is now working. I also noticed that the Sears block replacement kit is really just a piece of plastic anyway and simply an easy place to connect the machine's wires and the plug's wires. Also, the wires that come in this $50 kit need to be wire nutted just like I did. Therefore, I felt I am good to go anyway and no need to order this repair kit.

I've gotten varying opinions on this direct wire connection I have done though. An appliance repair person said that this way is not safe and the plastic block should really be replaced. However, my local authorized repair place (that has the kit in stock) says people do it this way all the time with no problems. Any opinions on either. I guess the bottom line is what is so special about this plastic block piece when wire nutting is required anyway to repair it with this kit as well?

Also, since its comes with a 1yr parts/labor warranty, is this something that will be covered by Whirlpool? I got it from best Buy and they even convinced me to purchase a whole new $30 electrical plug saying that if I used my old one, it would void the warranty. I didn't necessarily buy that line, but bought a new electrical cord anyway (which of course had been damaged anyway). I have installed numerous dryers myself (including this one) and never had this problem. I'm just wondering what Whirlpool might say if I try to get them to fix it
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denman  
#2 Posted : Monday, May 14, 2012 4:24:30 AM(UTC)
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denman

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Replacement parts for Whirlpool WED4800XQ0 DRYER | AppliancePartsPros.com

I am assuming that both old and new line cords were 4 wire.

Personally I think Best Buy is full of crap. As long as the old cord was in good shape and had the same amperage rating I cannot see why that would void warranty. Perhaps others have more info than I do but this is the first time I have heard this.

[COLOR="DarkRed"]I'm just wondering what Whirlpool might say if I try to get them to fix it[/COLOR]
Give them a call and see. They may say no because you have messed with it.
I am assuming that the loose connection was there machine to terminal block and not the line cord that you connected.
I would also ask if the old cord would have voided the warranty.
If they say no then the next time I was at Best Buy I would complain.
If Whirlpool says no then in my opinion what Best Buy did borders on fraud.

Black is L1 so has more current on it than the L2 (red) side. It not only has the heater current but also the motor and timer.
I agree with your neighbor about the cause. A poor connection is actually a resistance so as current passes through it, it heats up. This further degrades the connection causing more heat and so on and so on till the connection fails.

Many really old units used to use wire nuts so I cannot see a problem with this.
Just be sure that the wire nut is rated for the correct amperage. The best ones to use is the type with a brass insert with a screw. The wires go in the brass insert, the screw then tightens down on them and then the plastic/bakelite cover screws onto the inset to cover the connection.

Also check that the connection/wires have some slack but will not rub on anything when the dryer is running/vibrating.
THIS FORUM IS DEAD!!!!!!!
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