Whirlpool Dryer - Eating Thermal Fuses

Dryer Repair
1

Hello.

Having a little trouble with a very stubborn Whirlpool dryer. It seems to keep eating thermal fuses.

I have replaced the High Limit Thermostat, the Thermal Cutoff, the Cycling Thermostat, the Element, and the Single Use Thermal Fuse (twice)…and it just ate the thermal fuse again. The dryer was extremely hot. I have checked for grounding, and I cannot find a ground / short / fault anywhere, and I’m running out of ideas.

I hate to replace the entire dryer due to the amount of money I’ve already spent trying to get it fixed :frowning: Any ideas?

2

[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman]I am assuming you already checked the vent but a clogged vent will cause the thermal fuse to go bad and will cause the dryer to feel very hot on the top and sides. Make sure you get good airflow all the way to the outside. Clothes Dryer Repair Guide[/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]

3

Yep…first thing I checked.

Something I did find however…

When facing the terminals on the back (L = black, mid = white (neutral), right = red), I am getting a continuity reading between black and neutral / ground when the timer is engaged. When the timer is not engaged, I get an infinity reading.

I tried this with the right terminal as well (red), however, I received an infinity reading the entire time. Looks more and more like a short to me, or a possible bad timer?

4

[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]I really wouldn’t think the timer is causing this problem although you have already changed the parts that I would think would cause it. The continuity test you did at the thermal block doesn’t prove the timers bad either. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]Do you have any way of telling if the heater is cycling on an off at all or if its staying on continuously?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000000]Also do you have any means of telling the temperature of the air coming out the vent at the back of the dryer?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

5

I would jam a cheap oven thermometer( available at WallMart) in the dryer output duct and check the dryer ouput temperature. Temporarily short the therma fuse to do this.
If temp. over 165 degrees, replace the cycling thermostat mounted on the blower housing, part # AP3115922

6

Here are your parts
Replacement parts for WHIRLPOOL LER3624EQ1 | AppliancePartsPros.com

Here is the wiring diagram
https://www.servicematters.com/docs/wiring/Wiring%20Sheet%20-%203406688.pdf

Could be an air flow problem.
Check that the blower wheel is clean and that it is properly attached to the motor shaft. Sometimes they can strip out (still rotates but not at full motor speed).
Check that the lint filter is clean especially if you use fabric softener, sometimes it coats the lint screen and drastically reduces air flow.

If changing the temp setting does not change the dryers temp at all then you either have a bad thermostat or a short somewhere.

Remove the thermostat and heat the face of it, I use my soldering gun but you could place it on a stove element. Then check it with a meter to be sure it opens.

Make sure the outside louvers open fully.