My dryer isn’t heating. I found the thermal cut-off device had an open circuit through it. I assumed this was the problem but I am curious what may have caused this to happen. As an automotive tech I always look for the source of the failure and am not convinced that I have found it. What should I be looking for?
Thanks,
Jerry Peterson
Your thermal cut off is in a line of thermal protection devices which shut down the heat when your dryer gets to hot. The typical cause is restricted air flow, which cause the machine to get hotter than is safe, so a thermal cut off blows.
You also have a thermistor which probably acts as an operating thermostat and a high limit thermostat. I suggest you replace them also (in fact the thermal cutoff comes with the high limit) and thoroughly clean out the inside of the dryer, including the lint chute and the outside vent.
Once you have removed the restrictions on air flow you should be fine.