How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6008281 / WP3387747 Dryer Heating Element

Replaced the heating element and cleaned the exhaust venting. 

I removed the back panel of the dryer. Unwired the switches and removed the heat duct from the unit. Replaced the heating element and limit switches in the area connected to the heating element. Checked the wiring and connectors. Reconnected the element and switches. Installed rear panel. Turned the power back on to the dryer and tested the dryer. The job was successful. 

After a small bit of research I saw that the heating element in Maytag dryers is a popular but fairly easy repair and decided to give it a shot. I have never fixed an appliance before but other reviews showed how easy it was. After removing the bottom panel on the front of my machine I was able to access the heating element housing. Switching out the part was the easiest step…getting the housing back in place was the bigger challenge. I am a housewife that just wants to see appliances last as long as they are supposed to. I am naturally inclined to fix things…but I think most people could do this repair. It took me about an hour from start to finish & now the dryer works again. 

Replaced the heating element. 

Took apart door to access the element and found element was burned. 

Replaced the heating element. 

Bought the dryer repair kit , new heater element and temperature sensor. During the replacement I found the heater element steel plate was over heated and cracked, one roller wheel was separated from the bearing, belt pully wheel was about to fail, belt was about to fail. Lots of the issues were due to excessive lint on everything - the wheels bearing surfaces were clogged with lint. I cleaned everything and replaced parts. sealed joint on the duct with foil sheet metal tape to reduce lint inside the dryer. works like new now - dried a full load of blue jeans on 40 minute cycle - it was taking 60 to 80 munutes before 

Replaced all the parts that were related to heating. 

Thought it might have been the heating coil. Had one go bad previously. Turns out the coil was fine. Disconnected the leads from the thermol cut off and one bad. Ordered a new thermo cut off kit and a heating coil for future use. Replaced the cut off and we were back in business. Thanks for the videos by the way. So helpful!! 

I tested the thermostat and over-temp cut-off switches, and they both were working fine, with continuity. So I pulled the heating element, and sure enough it had broken. Received the replacement, reinstalled, and now the dryer is working fine. Needed a flat-head screwdriver to open the access panel for the heating element (anything flat would do...some people like to use a putty knife). Screws for the heating element and bracket are 1/4" hex head; a ratchet wrench gave the clearance I needed to remove the bracket and tunnel containing the element, then a nut driver was easier to remove the screw holding the element to the tunnel. It took about 10-15 minutes to disassemble, then another 10-15 minutes to put everything back together once the part arrived.