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The_decoy  
#1 Posted : Thursday, November 6, 2014 4:03:56 PM(UTC)
The_decoy

Rank: Member

Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/6/2014(UTC)
Posts: 1

So this dryer was in my apartment when I moved in, so not exactly sure of it's age, but maintenance on it is NOT covered by my landlord.

For a while now, it has taken several cycles to fully dry a full load, especially towels. About a week ago it stopped heating completely.

I've never done dryer repair, but I have lots of experience fixing other electronics so I figured I'd give it a shot.

Did some research, checked my breakers, took the back panel off and tested everything with a multi-meter. The multimeter told me that it was the upper thermostat (number 9 on this diagram: http://c.***************.../PLDM/W0201143-00003.png ). No continuity on the multimeter with the thermo disconnected from everything.

So I order a replacement part (This one in particular: http://www.amazon.com/gp/produc...00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ). This kit came with and upper and lower thermo, but the old lower Thermo was fine, so I left it on and just replaced the upper. I tested the new thermo before installing it, it had continuity at that point.

Plugged it back in, turned it on, HEAT! Glorious heat. It was working great. better than it had in months.... for about 2 days.

All of a sudden, no heat what-so-ever. Again.

So I took the back panel off, tested everything with the multimeter again, sure enough, the upper thermo died again. Everything else seems fine.

I'm thinking the original upper thermo didn't just die of old age like I orginally had thought. I'm thinking that something else is caused it to short out and whatever THAT is is a persisting issue and has caused the new upper thermo to short as well.

Anyone have any ideas what could be causing my upper thermostats to die?

Did I not get the right part from amazon for my dryer?

Any and all help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
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fairbank56  
#2 Posted : Thursday, November 6, 2014 6:13:41 PM(UTC)
fairbank56

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Joined: 10/16/2012(UTC)
Posts: 3,806

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The upper safety is a non resetting thermal cutoff. It is the last line of defense safety. The lower safety is the hi limit thermostat. The upper thermal cutoff is there for protection in the event that the hi limit fails. That's why they should be replaced as a pair. This problem is generally caused by either an air flow problem or a grounded heater element. If the element is grounded at some point, part of it will be energized all the time. Air flow problem can be caused by blockage in the internal or external ducting, loose blower wheel (slipping on motor shaft) or leaking seals around the blower housing or drum. This allows air to be pulled in at the bad seals disrupting normal flow through the internal ducting.

Eric
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