How to Test and Replace the Drive Motor on a Samsung Dryer

Is your Samsung dryer not spinning or making strange noises? The motor might be the culprit, and replacing it could save you from an expensive repair call. Whether you have a gas or electric model, we’ll walk you through testing and replacing the motor to get your dryer running smoothly again.

If you need any replacement parts for your Samsung dryer, 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.

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you need

• Multimeter
• Phillips screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Deadblow hammer or mallet
• Adjustable wrench
• 14mm socket

Safety tips

When working on any appliance, always keep safety first to avoid personal injury or damage to the appliance or its parts. 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.
• Consider wearing safety glasses and/or a dust mask when working with chemicals, dust, or a large amount of debris to prevent irritation or injury.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs. Keep towels ready to catch any residual water in the system when removing parts.

How to test and replace the Samsung dryer’s motor

Follow these steps to access, test, remove, and replace the motor in a Samsung dryer, as well as reassemble the appliance and restore power.

Access the motor

1. Disconnect power to the dryer by unplugging the power cord or turning off the circuit breaker.
2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the top panel at the back.
3. Slide the top panel to the rear, lift it up, and set it aside.
4. Disconnect the wires behind the console on the right.
5. Lift up on the console, pull it away from the dryer, guide the wires through the top bracket, and set the console aside.
6. Remove the two screws located behind the door in front of the lint trap using a Phillips screwdriver.
7. Remove the four screws at the top of the front panel.
8. Lift the front panel slightly, rotate it forward, disconnect the door switch harness, and remove the front panel.

Remove internal components

1. Remove the lint filter and set it aside.
2. Unlatch the wire retainers from the wire harness and disconnect the wires from the drum lamp.
3. Remove the five screws securing the top plate and place it aside.
4. Remove the four screws securing the front bulkhead and disconnect the sensor bar wire connector.
5. Remove the screws from the lint duct, pull the duct down, and set it aside.
6. Reach back and remove the belt from the idler pulley.
7. Lift the front bulkhead up, pull it forward, then lift the drum off the rollers and set the bulkhead aside.
8. Remove the drum and belt and set them aside.

Test the motor

1. Set a meter to continuity.
2. Locate the terminals at the farthest ends of the motor terminal block (red wire at terminal 1 to red wire at terminal 2).
3. Insert the meter probes into place.
4. Reach to the disc of the motor just behind the belt pulley and pull the disc towards you.
5. Check for continuity. If the motor does not have continuity, it has failed and must be replaced.

Remove the motor

1. Use a 14mm socket and a dead-blow mallet to remove the blower wheel nut.
2. Use an adjustable wrench on the belt pulley to hold the motor shaft in place while removing the nut.
3. Turn the socket clockwise to remove the left-hand threaded nut.
4. Pull the blower wheel out and set it aside.
5. Remove the wires from the motor.
6. Use a flat-head screwdriver to press down on the mounting brackets and pry them out to the side to release the motor mount.
7. Set the brackets aside.
8. Lift the motor up and pull it to the rear.

Replace the motor

1. Insert the new motor into the mount at an angle so that the drive shaft goes into the blower housing at the same time.
2. Secure the motor with the mounting clips.
3. Reconnect the wires to the motor.

Reassemble the dryer

1. Install the blower wheel onto the motor using a 14mm socket.
2. Install the drum and belt, securing the belt to the motor and idler pulley.
3. Attach the front bulkhead and secure it with the Phillips head screws.
4. Reconnect the sensor bar wires.
5. Install the lint filter housing.
6. Position the top plate back in place and secure it with the Phillips screws.
7. Secure the wires with the retainers and reconnect the drum lamp wires.
8. Guide the front panel onto the bottom hinges, connect the door switch wires, and rotate it into place.
9. Secure the front panel with the screws behind the door and at the top.
10. Position the console back in place, guide the wires through the top plate, and secure it properly.
11. Reconnect the console wires.
12. Make sure all wires are connected correctly.
13. Slide the top panel back onto the dryer and secure it with the final screws.
14. Plug the dryer back in or turn the breaker back on.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you test and replace the motor in your Samsung dryer. 

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We have over two million parts in stock and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

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