Dryer Thermal Fuse Replacement
- Disconnect your dryer from its power source.
- Remove the panel covering the blown thermal fuse.
- Remove the wires and mounting screw from the blown fuse, to then remove the blown fuse itself from the dryer.
- Replace the blown fuse with the new fuse, securing it with a screw and reattaching the wires.
- Replace the dryer panel.
Full Answer
How to replace the felt gasket on a dryer?
How to Replace the Felt Gasket on a Dryer
- Disconnect the Power. Never work on an appliance like a dryer while its power is still on. ...
- Open the Dryer Cabinet. To fix the appliance, first remove the top and front panels of the dryer. ...
- Out With the Old. ...
- Install the New Felt Gasket. ...
- Reassembly. ...
How to replace a Maytag electric dryer heating element?
- Make sure the power is off!
- Disconnect the wires running to the thermostat
- Unthread the mounting screw that secures it to the heating element and remove it
- Replace it with a new thermostat
- Screw it into place
- Reconnect the wires to the thermostat terminals
How to replace a dryer door latch?
Tumble Dryer Door Wont Shut Latch or Catch Broken How To Replace
- Switch off the power to the machine from the mains supply and unplug the machine.
- On the door of the machine unscrew the door latch / catch and remove the broken latch / catch. ...
- Ensure the door lock is in the open position (see below pic) if it is in the locked position you will need to get it into the ...
How to replace a Maytag electric dryer door switch?
Instructions
- Shut off the power. Unplug the dryer. ...
- Remove the lint screen. Pull the lint screen out of the housing in the top panel of the dryer. ...
- Remove the lint screen housing screws. ...
- Raise the top panel. ...
- Disconnect the door switch wire harness. ...
- Remove the door switch. ...
- Install the new door switch. ...
- Connect the wire harness. ...
- Reassemble the dryer. ...
How to stop a thermal fuse from blowing?
Clean the exhaust vent. To prevent the thermal fuse from blowing again soon, remove the flexible vent in the back of the dryer and clean the inside of the flexible vent hose. Clean the air duct going to the outside of your home with a duct cleaning brush. Vacuum the area to clean up dust.
How to remove back panel of dryer?
Move the dryer forward and use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the screws from the back panel. Remove the back panel from the dryer and set it aside.
Why does my dryer overheat?
A blocked exhaust vent is the most common reason the air overheats. When a gas dryer thermal fuse blows, the drive motor runs but the burner won't ignite. You can't reset the thermal fuse; if it's blown, replace it with the manufacturer-approved dryer part.
What to do if dryer squeals?
If your dryer thumps or squeals, replace the drum support roller to restore quiet to your home.
What is the problem with a dryer thermistor?
The thermistor senses the air temperature in the dryer. If your dryer overheats or doesn't heat at all , the thermistor could be the problem.
Why do dryers need thermal fuse?
The role of the thermal fuse is to prevent fires, by detecting when the dryer drum is overheating, and tripping in response. The dryer will therefore stop running. A thermal fuse is a one-time use component, but luckily, they are inexpensive and easy to replace. Remember, as the thermal fuse is a safety component, do not use the dryer again until you have replaced it. With a new understanding of what the dryer thermal fuse does, you might still be wondering, where is the thermal fuse on a dryer?
Where is the thermal fuse located?
The thermal fuse is just 1 or 2 inches long and should be located on the exhaust duct , but the location of the exhaust duct itself may differ depending on your model. Once you have located it, you’re ready to figure out whether it may have blown.
How to check if a thermal fuse is blown?
You may now know where to find your thermal fuse, but how can you tell if a thermal fuse has blown? These simple steps summarize the process below: 1 Unplug your dryer and ensure it is no longer connected to the gas or electric. 2 Locate the thermal fuse, as above. 3 Disconnect the thermal fuse from the wires. 4 Test the fuse with a multimeter. 5 If the needle on your multimeter does not move, your thermal fuse is blow.
Why is my thermal fuse blowing?
The most common cause of a blown thermal fuse is a blocked exhaust vent. Clean the exhaust vent to prevent the thermal fuse from blowing again very quickly.
What happens if the needle on a multimeter does not move?
If the needle on your multimeter does not move, your thermal fuse is blow. Once you understand how to tell if a thermal fuse is blown, you can move onto the next step: thermal fuse replacement.
Can you replace a thermal fuse?
Once you have established that your thermal fuse has blown, you will need to replace it. Luckily, replacing your thermal fuse is a relatively easy task that does not require specialist equipment.
What is a Dryer Thermal Fuse?
The most basic version of the part encloses an internal sensor that has a preset to the highest temperature that is acceptable for the appliance to reach. When the monitored heat reaches that preset temperature, the fuse breaks the circuit to the electricity and shuts down the machine.
Where is the thermal fuse located on a dryer?
It’s usually one to two inches in length and will be found on the exhaust duct. However, different models of dryers will place the exhaust duct in various locations. After locating it, you can move on to troubleshooting and finding out where it is blown.
How to test thermal fuse?
What you’re looking for is a one-inch piece of plastic that has two wires attached to it. You can disconnect the cables on the thermal fuse by pulling on them gently. As with testing other electrical parts for continuity, a multimeter can be used for testing once the fuse is disconnected.
What does it mean when a thermal fuse stops working?
The biggest issue is that the fuse sometimes malfunctions or stops working completely. This could mean that the fuse is blown, but it might also be related to another issue. You’re probably wondering how you can be sure of whether the thermal fuse is blown. The good news is that with a bit of troubleshooting and research, the process only takes a few minutes.
Why won't my dryer turn on?
In many cases, if your dryer has a malfunctioning thermal fuse, the dryer will not turn on at all. However, with some other dryers’ models, the drum will turn and the dryer will operate, but the heating element will not turn on to heat up the clothing inside the dryer. This could cause you to open up your clothes dryer only to find out that all of your clothing is still wet. Keep in mind that symptoms can vary by dryer model, even if two of them come from the same manufacturer.
How to check if a thermal fuse is working?
It’s not something that should be used as a permanent repair. This process involves disconnecting the wires from the fuse and then tying them together using a jumper wire. After you have completed that, plug in the dryer and turn it on before checking whether it operates. If it starts running and has heat, this signifies that the thermal fuse has burned out and will need to be replaced.
How to check continuity of thermal fuse?
The first step here is to press the power button on your digital multimeter. Turn the control dial or press the button on the multimeter to test for continuity. Take the left lead on the multimeter and press it against the left side of the thermal fuse . The right lead should be placed on the right side of the fuse. Watch the needle on the multimeter for movement. If there is no movement, that means there is no continuity, and the thermal fuse needs to be replaced.
Where is the thermal fuse on a gas dryer?
On gas models, the thermal fuse can be found on the blower housing or near the burner. To reach the fuse on some dryers, you can simply uninstall the appliance’s rear panel or a lower front access panel. However, many dryers will require you to fully disassemble the appliance, removing the top panel (and, possibly, a control panel as well), ...
What does it mean when a dryer fuse is blown?
If the meter display shows zero Ohms of resistance, the fuse has electrical continuity and has not blown, indicating that another component in the dryer is likely defective and preventing the appliance from running or heating. If the meter display shows no significant change, the fuse has no continuity which means it has blown and will need to be replaced.
What is thermal fuse?
This safety device protects the appliance from overheating and potentially damaging the motor or other sensitive components. If your gas or electric dryer begins to overheat, the thermal fuse is designed to open, or “blow”, interrupting the voltage and preventing power from reaching the motor and heating components.
What to use to test a thermal fuse?
Once you’ve removed, or isolated, the thermal fuse from the dryer, you can use a multimeter to test the component for electrical continuity – a continuous electrical path present in the part:
Do you have to disassemble a dryer?
However, many dryers will require you to fully disassemble the appliance, removing the top panel (and, possibly, a control panel as well), a front panel, a front bulkhead, and the dryer’s drum before you can access the fuse. That’s the hard part.
Will the dryer run if the thermal fuse is blown?
While a blown thermal fuse is the most common reason a dryer won’t start, run, or heat, you should remove the fuse from the appliance and test it to determine if it has blown or not before purchasing a new one. On electric dryers, the thermal fuse is often located on the blower housing or near the heating element. On gas models, the thermal fuse can be found on the blower housing or near the burner. To reach the fuse on some dryers, you can simply uninstall the appliance’s rear panel or a lower front access panel. However, many dryers will require you to fully disassemble the appliance, removing the top panel (and, possibly, a control panel as well), a front panel, a front bulkhead, and the dryer’s drum before you can access the fuse. That’s the hard part. To uninstall the fuse itself, you will simply unthread one or two mounting screws and disconnect the power wires from the fuse’s terminals.
Where is the thermal fuse on a dryer?
The fuse is located near the dryer's blower housing. There are two leads going to the thermal fuse. Gently remove the wires by grasping firmly on the female end of the stake on connector and pull it towards you.
What is thermal fuse?
The thermal fuse in your dryer is a safety device designed to prevent the dryer from overheating. The fuse is heat sensitive and when the dryer becomes too hot it will blow. If the fuse has blown then the dryer will either stop working or there will be no heat when the drum is turning. A blown thermal fuse is simple to replace. With a few tools, a do it yourself warrior can save valuable money from being wasted on a service call. Here is a detailed set of instructions on how to replace a thermal fuse in your dryer.
Where is the thermal fuse on a Whirlpool dryer?
Whirlpool – made 29-inch (wide) machines (Most Kenmores, Kitchenaid, Roper, Estate): you’ll find the thermal fuse ‘reading’ the heating element’s temperature from the side of the ‘can’ where the element lives, in the back of the dryer . This one’s the device mounted highest on the side of the ‘can’, directly above the safety thermostat, which is down near the element leads.
Where is the thermal fuse on a Maytag?
Note: most newer Maytag ‘Dependable Care’ machines (the last ‘real’ Maytags <grin>) have their thermal fuse on the side of their element can, similar to the Whirlpool 27 inchers. Very similar to the Speed Queen front panel: two screws are removed from the bottom, and it’s swung upward and unhooked to get access to the element area.
Why do we need a thermal fuse?
In addition to their legally mandated application in modern clothes dryers (since the 1980’s), thermal fuses are used as safety devices in other heat-producing appliances like coffee makers and hair dryers. They disconnect the flow of current to the heating element in case of malfunction (such as a defective thermostat or clogged dryer vent) that allows the temperature to rise to dangerous levels, possibly starting a fire.
How to test if a dryer is open?
To test one, leave it in the dryer, power the dryer down, bypass the thermal device, and power up and run the dryer with it bypassed or jumpered. If the dryer now heats, you immediately know it’s open and should be replaced.
What is thermal fuses?
Thermal fuses, or thermal cutoffs, are small electrical temperature sensitive ‘switches’ designed to interrupt electrical current flow when heated to their specific rated 'trip' temperature. Unlike a thermostat, which automatically resets itself when the temperature drops, thermal fuses are more like their cousins, electrical fuses, ...
Is a thermal fuse a fault?
OK, to be fair, this failure’s usually not the thermal fuse’s fault, but the real cause lies in a partially (or completely) clogged dryer vent system. In those cases, the thermal fuse is just doing the job it was designed for.
Where is the thermal back on a can?
The thermal’s furthest back on the can, behind the safety tstat. Easy to get to: use a putty knife in its top edge to release the bottom front panel, and swing the panel down. It’s easiest to remove the heat shield over the front of the element to get a little extra room to work.
How to stop a thermal fuse from blowing?
Clean the exhaust vent. To prevent the thermal fuse from blowing again soon, remove the flexible vent in the back of the dryer and clean the inside of the flexible vent hose. Clean the air duct going to the outside of your home with a duct cleaning brush. Vacuum the area to clean up dust.
How to remove back panel of dryer?
Move the dryer forward and use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the screws from the back panel. Remove the back panel from the dryer and set it aside.
Why does my dryer overheat?
A blocked exhaust vent is the most common reason the air overheats. When the thermal fuse blows in an electric dryer, the display lights still work but the drive motor won't run. You can't reset the thermal fuse; if it's blown, replace it with the manufacturer-approved dryer part.
What to do if dryer squeals?
If your dryer thumps or squeals, replace the drum support roller to restore quiet to your home.
What is the problem with a dryer thermistor?
The thermistor senses the air temperature in the dryer. If your dryer overheats or doesn't heat at all , the thermistor could be the problem.
