Here are your parts
Replacement parts for General Electric WSM2700WAWWW Washer dryer combination | AppliancePartsPros.com[COLOR="DarkRed"]So the bottom line is, am I on the right track suspecting this as the cause of the motor not starting when connected normally to the control panel?[/COLOR]
Yes I think you are on the fight track but I do not have a wiring diagram to confirm this.
In any case all thermostat/fuses should be 0 ohms at room temperature.
Looking at the parts
The hi-limit thermostat is Item 1233 in Section 2.
The thermal fuse is Item 1236 in Section 2. Looks like they have had problems in this area as it is a kit.
The main control thermostat is item 1315 in Section 3.
You also have to find out what caused it to blow re: the unit was overheating.
Check the heating coil.
Unplug the unit and both wires to the coil.
Check it with a meter, should be around 10 to 12 ohms.
Then check from each side of the coil to the case/frame, both should be infinite ohms (open). If not the coil may have sagged or broken and is touching the case. This can cause it to run on high and the thermostats cannot regulate it so the thermal fuse (cut-off) blows.
The hi-limit should have regulated the temperature so the fuse did not blow.
So if the thermal fuse is gone I would also replace the hi-limit.
Note: That unless there is another problem in the unit the hi-limit should never have to open. It is just a safety device with the fuse being a backup safety device.
Just in case it is not a grounded element.
With all the below the high limit will also have to be replaced.
Check that the belt is OK.
Check the seals (drum etc) in the unit. The air is pulled over the heating coils, through the drum and pushed out the exhaust. So any large seal leak will pull in room air and the cycling thermostat on the blower will run the unit hot.
Check that the lint filter is not coated with fabric softener residue which greatly reduces air flow.
Check/clean your vent system.
Check/clean the blower wheel.
If all OK you may want to replace the cycling thermostat as it's contacts may not be opening (welded shut)