Customer Support 7 days a week

Welcome Guest! You can not login or register.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
KJW  
#1 Posted : Sunday, November 21, 2010 10:54:47 PM(UTC)
KJW

Rank: Member

Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/21/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1

[COLOR="Red"]I think I have a lot of info, but I lack the experience, hopefully a skilled person can tell me a quick fix![/COLOR]

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!
Sponsor
See inside of your appliance - diagrams and part photos for virtually every model.

powered by AppliancePartsPros.com
 
denman  
#2 Posted : Monday, November 22, 2010 3:44:57 AM(UTC)
denman

Rank: Advanced Member

Groups: Senior Expert
Joined: 2/29/2008(UTC)
Posts: 19,638

Thanks: 1 times
Was thanked: 11 time(s) in 11 post(s)
Here are your parts
Replacement parts for FEX831C models | AppliancePartsPros.com

Here is the wiring diagram
http://manuals.frigidaire.com/prodinfo_pdf/Webster/1341356aelec_sheet_1.pdf

There is a problem with your testing procedure.
The air is ambient sucked over the heating coil, through the drum and then pushed out the exhaust by the blower. So if you run it with the door open no air is going over the coils, it will overheat and open the hi-limit thermostat. It will then take a long time to reset due to no air flow to cool it down.

The most common cause of long dry times is a dirty/malfunctioning vent system.
Undo the dryer from the exhaust
Run a load
If the load dries correctly then you have a vent problem.
Clean/check the vent system. Make sure the outside louvers open fully.

If you do not want lint in the house.
Take a pair of pantyhose, put one leg into the other and attach this to the dryer exhaust.
Leave enough room behind the dryer so it can blow out like a windsock.
Run a load.

Both the above will allow you to check the air flow and temp.

Also check that the blower wheel is clean and solidly attached to the motor.

Another possibility would be a grounded element.
Check the heating coil.
Unplug the unit and both wires to the coil.
Check it with a meter, should be around 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 but only part of the element heats up.

Next I would check the fabric selector switch to be sure it opens when you select high heat.
THIS FORUM IS DEAD!!!!!!!
Users browsing this topic
Guest (2)
Forum Jump  
You can post new topics in this forum.
You can reply to topics in this forum.
You can delete your posts in this forum.
You can edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You can vote in polls in this forum.