[jenniferrosecat1]

my older elec whirlpool dryer quit heating, but still blows/runs fine. i cleaned vent out, what could be the problem? good old set and don't want new one.

[denman]

Here are your parts
Replacement parts for Whirlpool LEC7858AN0 ELECTRIC DRYER | AppliancePartsPros.com

Could be a number of things.
First I would start with the power.
Next would be the heating element. Usually 8 to 12 ohms.
Then the thermal cut-off. Should be 0 ohms.
Then the hi-limit or the cycling thermostat. Both should be 0 ohms.
Then the timer contact.
And finally the motor's centrifugal switch. Cannot really check this so if everything else is OK then you assume it is this switch.

Try flipping the breaker off/on slowly a couple times. Sometimes you can loose half the line without actually tripping the breaker.
Check the voltage at the plug
L1 to L2 should be 240 volts
L1 to Neutral and L2 to Neutral, both should be 120 volts.
If OK
Unplug the unit and check the wires at the terminal strip in the machine to make sure none are loose or burned out
If OK
Check the power at the terminal strip.
Do this with the heater off and on.
Be careful as 240 volts is lethal !!!

If you do not own a meter, I would suggest you purchase a one. You can get a decent digital multimeter for under $20.00. You do not need fancy though it is nice if the leads are a couple feet long.
If it saves ordering one unnecessary part it has paid for itself and you end up owning a useful tool.
Most places will not let you return electrical parts so if you order it, you own it.
A couple things to watch when measuring ohms and continuity
1. Always remove power from the machine otherwise you could blow your meter.
2. Always disconnect at least one side of any device you are checking. This eliminates the possibility of measuring an alternate/parallel circuit path.
3. When checking for closed contacts and continuity use the lowest scale (Usually 200 ohms). Then try higher scales. This scale is 0 to 200 ohms so if the device you are measuring is 300 ohms this scale would show an open circuit which it is not, you are just measuring outside the scale's dynamic range.
4. When you start always short the meter leads together. This will tell you that the meter is working and if there is any 0 offset.

There is a good STICKY at the start of this forum about it's use.