Replacing Moisture Sensor Bar WP3387223 on a Whirlpool Dryer

Is your dryer persistently running even when clothes are already dry? You may have a malfunctioning moisture sensor bar causing the issue. Don’t worry—our step-by-step guide and accompanying video will show you just how easy it is to replace this critical part and restore your dryer’s efficiency!

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If your Whirlpool dryer isn’t shutting off when it should or keeps running even when your clothes are dry, the moisture sensor bar (part #WP3387223) might be the culprit. This little metal bar detects how damp your laundry is—and if it’s dirty, worn out, or faulty, it can throw off your dryer’s timing. The good news? Replacing the moisture sensor bar is a super simple fix that only takes a few minutes. In this guide, we’ll show you how to swap it out and help your dryer run more efficiently again. Let’s dive in!

Watch the repair here: How to replace moisture sensor bar

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.

Tools and Materials Needed

Gather the following materials before starting this repair:

• New moisture sensor bar, Whirlpool part #WP3387223– Take your model number to AppliancePartsPros.com to locate the correct part for your model.
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers
• Work gloves 

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 attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
• Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
• 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.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs to any appliance parts that hold water. Have towels ready for any residual water in the system when removing parts. 

Removal and Disassembly Steps

1. Open the dryer door and remove the lint screen.
2. Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the two screws located in the front of the lint screen housing and the three screws along the rear on the lint filter grille.
3. Locate the moisture sensor bar mounted to the lint filter grille. It will have two wires connected to it – one yellow and one black.
4.  Make a note or take a picture of which wire connects to each terminal. Disconnect the yellow and black wires from the old moisture sensor terminals using needle nose pliers.
5. With the wires removed, you can take the lint screen grille out. 
6. Use the needle nose pliers to push in the tab on the terminal to remove the sensor bar.
7. Slide the old moisture sensor bar out and set it aside.

Installation and Reassembly Steps

1. Clean out any built-up lint debris inside the moisture sensor bracket using compressed air or a small brush.
2. Insert the new moisture sensor into the bracket. Feed the terminal end through the slot, it should click securely into place.
3. Reconnect the black and yellow wires to their respective moisture sensor terminals, matching their previous positions. Refer back to your note or the picture to see where they need to go.
4. Tilt the lint screen grille up into position and secure with the three rear screws and two front screws.
5. Replace the lint filter.
6. Carefully close the dryer door and run a test automatic drying cycle with wet towels and confirm the machine fully dries the load and stops when finished.

More Information

Thanks for reading! If you have any other appliance repair needs or projects, you can find more resources including our DIY blog at AppliancePartsPros.com. There, you can enter your model number to order the exact parts you need. Most orders arrive in two business days.

You can also reach our award-winning customer service team at 1-877-477-7278, chat with a pro on our website and watch thousands of free video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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