There are typically four reasons why the electric dryer does not make heat.
- The electric heating element has gone bad.
- The thermal cut-out switch has opened up (activated).
- The high-limit thermostat has failed.
- 220v power only goes to the dryer.
The North Charleston appliance repair experts at 911 Service Today can fix this problem for you easily. If you want to try to do it on your own, here’s what you should do:
Before doing anything, make sure that you check for 220v power at the back of the dryer. The motor and the control components can and do run on 110v power. The dryer can start and spin on 110v power but will have no heat symptoms. The electric heating element must have 220v power to produce any heat.
None of the three parts are very expensive, and all of them can be replaced for under two hundred bucks. When ordering parts for your dryer from your local North Charleston supply shop, it is best to order all of them. That way you do not have to pull the thing apart again, just because you failed to replace an old part when you had it apart.
To get to where the heating parts are you will need to remove a panel from the dryer. To determine which panel, check to see where your lint screen is. If your screen is on the top of the dryer then you will access the heating components by removing the back panel.
If your dryer lint screen is in the door of the dryer, then you’ll have a bit more difficulty. The access can be obtained by removing the bottom panel in the front. This is held fast by either screws on the bottom or by retaining clips in the seams a couple of inches from each side of the dryer. A putty knife is a good tool to release the clips with.
Make sure that you unplug the dryer before checking any of the heating components.
When checking to see which part is bad you will need an electric meter with a resistance scale. The heating element will give you a reading of 9-13 OHMS if the element is good. The thermal cut-out and the high limit will each read 0 OHMS if they are good. If you get any readings other than that replace the component.
The heating element is located in the heater box. The high limit will be mounted to the heater box closest to the element. The thermal cut-out is mounted a bit further away and is a safety precaution just in case the high limit fails.
As stated before it is advisable to replace all these parts at once for the best results.
After replacing the parts re-install all parts and then plug the dryer back in to check the operation. You should now be making heat to dry once again. If you have any questions about this process, please give us a call today at (843) 789-4824 or visit us here.
