Electric Speed Queen dryer only produces low heat when set to regular heat: How to fix it

If you have an electric Speed Queen dryer that only produces low heat when it’s set to regular heat, don’t kick it to the curb! Chances are you can find and fix the problem yourself, without the need for an expensive technician. Let’s walk through the steps together so you can get back to your laundry routine.

If you find out that you need any replacement parts for your Speed Queen dryer while you’re troubleshooting, you can enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to order them. Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of free guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Important: The troubleshooting information in this article is based on model ADE4BRGS171TW01 and may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

What you need

• 5/16-inch nut driver
• 1/4-inch nut driver
• Thermometer
• Flathead screwdriver
• Multimeter

Important: The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it. Always consult the user manual or refer to any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the recommended tools for your appliance model.

Read more:  How can I replace the heating element in a Speed Queen dryer? 

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before you attempt any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by eliminating any risk of electric shock.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time to cool down before working on it.
• Take your time while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries. Rushing is the enemy of precision.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can see and access appliance parts.
• Keep your workspace free of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check the user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions related to your appliance or replacement part.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause personal injury.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Always take photos or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting them to make reassembly easier.
• Don’t test live voltage with a multimeter if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short-circuiting.

Read more: How to replace the fabric selector switch on a Speed Queen dryer

How to troubleshoot the dryer

Follow these steps to find out what’s preventing your Speed Queen dryer from producing regular heat.

Step 1: Test the fabric selector switch

1. Unplug the dryer from the power outlet.
2. Use a 1/4-inch nut driver to remove the screws that hold the console to the top panel.
3. Rotate the console forward to access the fabric selector switch.
4. Set a multimeter to continuity mode.
5. Disconnect the wire from terminal 1 of the fabric selector switch.
6. Use the multimeter probes to test for continuity between terminal 1 and terminal L1.

If there’s continuity, then the fabric selector switch has failed and needs to be replaced. If there’s no continuity, plug the wire back into terminal 1 and proceed with the next step.

Step 2: Test the cycling thermostat

1. Make sure the dryer is unplugged from the power outlet.
2. Place a thermometer in the duct.
3. Use a 5/16-inch nut driver to remove the two screws at the bottom of the front access panel.
4. Place the meter probes into the wire connectors — one probe per wire — on the cycling thermostat.

LIVE VOLTAGE WARNING: For this test, the dryer needs to be plugged in and powered on. Please be very careful to protect yourself from electric shock, which has the potential to cause serious injuries. Don’t ever test live voltage if you’re uncomfortable using a multimeter.

5. Plug the power cord back in.
6. Set your multimeter to volts AC mode.
7. Use your multimeter probes to test the thermostat for voltage while the dryer is running. Once the meter reads 240 VAC, check the thermometer at the back.

If the thermometer measures less than 145°F, then the cycling thermostat has failed and needs to be replaced. If the voltage doesn’t change, then turn the dryer off, unplug the power cord and proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Test the heating element

1. Use a 5/16-inch nut driver to remove the two screws (one on each bottom corner) from the upper panel of the front of the dryer.
2. Take a photo of the door switch wiring to reference later, then disconnect the wires and set the panel aside.
3. Remove the four screws that hold the front bulkhead to the frame, then lift the bulkhead and set it aside.
4. Remove the belt from the motor and use it to help pull the drum out.
5. Set your multimeter to measure resistance in Ohms (Ω).
6. With one wire removed, use the multimeter probes to measure the resistance across the heating element terminals.

The resistance should be between 8 to 10 Ohms. If the resistance isn’t within this range, then the heating element needs to be replaced.

Read more: How to replace the cycling thermostat in a Speed Queen dryer  

More information

Thank you for reading! We hope this guide helped you get your Speed Queen dryer working again.

If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, don’t hesitate to explore our other troubleshooting guides and videos.

If you need replacement parts or some extra help with ordering them, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com, where you can chat with a pro, read our DIY blog and more.

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