

Label these wires to assist with reconnection later. They’ll be attached to the thermostat using metal slip connectors.

This is a square or rectangular piece of metal that is held in place with screws. Open the rear access panel: Slide your dryer forward and away from the wall so you can reach the access panel on the back.

Before delving into your dryer’s inner workings, be sure to remove the electrical plug from the wall outlet or turn off power at your home’s breaker box. Disconnect your dryer’s electrical supply: Even gas appliances use electricity for some of their functions.This includes a Phillips screwdriver, needle-nose pliers, and a digital multimeter. To test your dryer’s cycling thermostat yourself, you will need to first gather some basic tools. How Do I Test My Dryer Cycling Thermostat? If you observe any of these signs, you should test your cycling thermostat to find out if it needs to be replaced. The cycling thermostat also regulates the timer on some models, so a dryer that won’t turn off on its own could also be a sign of a defective thermostat. Turning itself off before the programmed time is up.In this case, the dryer’s heating element will stay on too long, and you may encounter the dryer: On the other hand, a faulty thermostat may have a constant connection that is not broken when the temperature reaches higher levels. Your dryer will sound like it’s working, but when it stops, your clothes are still wet.The drum spins, but the air inside does not heat up.If the thermostat isn’t making the necessary connection to complete the circuit and power the heating element, you may notice the following: It is the repeated on-and-off cycling of the heat that keeps your dryer temperature in an appropriate range. When the dryer drum’s temperature drops, it causes the thermostat to re-close and re-energize the dryer’s heat source.Ģ5 What Happens if My Dryer Thermostat Is Bad? This allows the heating element and the air inside the dryer to cool down. This thermostat has an electrical circuit that is usually closed, allowing electricity to flow through it freely and deliver power to the heating element.Īs your dryer heats up, the thermostat opens and interrupts the electrical connection to the dryer’s heat source. What Does a Dryer Cycling Thermostat Do?Ī dryer cycling thermostat monitors and controls the temperature inside your dryer while it’s operating. However, you can take steps to troubleshoot and check for a faulty thermostat yourself.
Dryer heating element test professional#
Diagnosing and fixing the problem is usually best left to a professional because of the electrical systems and gas lines involved. When your dryer isn’t working properly, it is often difficult to know the exact cause. This keeps the dryer from overheating or delivering too little warmth to get the job done. A dryer’s cycling thermostat helps regulate its temperature and harness thermal power by turning the heat on and off as needed. Gas and electric dryers use heat to remove moisture from your clothes.
