How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6009347 / WP4391960 Dryer Heating Element

Disassembled part from back of dryer and fixed problem. 

With your easy to answer troubleshooting help I was able to determine that it was in fact the heating element. I ordered the one for my model along with the connecting wire and bam! It is actually hotter than before!!!! Opened the door during the cycle and steam rolled out..... Thank you!!! 

R&R 

Since our dryer predates the internet, was happy that Whirlpool had an old illustrated parts-list on their website. Tried to go it on my own, figured it had to be the heating element, and was pleasantly surprised to find an equivalent was still made (and Appliance Parts Pros even confirmed that it works with my model). Alas, on my own I couldn't access the part. Whammo! The internet has tons of videos on same make dryers, albeit of more modern vintage. Those showed how to easily remove the front panel (putty knife to release spring catches). Turned out I was an idiot, and every troubleshooting guide suggested thermostats, etc. In a panic reassembled the dryer, found it still didn't work, and hurriedly ordered a thermal cut-off from APP. On Saturday, with leisure, used my cheap multi-meter to measure continuity, followed the schematic on the back of the dryer, compared to the illustrated assembly drawing, and sure enough it was the thermal cut-off. Part arrived that same day (18 hours after order!), and within the hour I had a working drier. Total cost was thirty bucks vs a brand new, less-sturdy, lower life-span, expensive dryer. BIG savings. 

Replaced heating element. 

I started by replacing the thermal fuse, which is what I found out is the most common thing to go out on older Whirlpool dryers. After finding out that was not the problem, I went online and ordered a heating element and thermostat from appliancepartspros.com. The prices were great and I had the part in my hand the next day! I want to thank them for the speedy service, quality of the part and great price. 

Installed replacement part. 

Removed and replaced heating element. 

Repair heating element 

First I purchased a multimeter and diagnosed the problem following various Youtube videos. Then, I had to figure out how to take the part out (which was complicated because most videos aren't of my older model – hint you have to lift up the washer top to get to the bolt anchoring the heater unit, then you can remove the unit and get at the bolt attaching the coils inside it). Once the replacement coils arrived (it took about 5 days) I had to remember how to reassemble the thing, luckily I took pictures of the wiring. The machine is not very complicated and the fix was nicely straight forward, it was just my first time getting into a machine and it always takes time to figure out the basics.