How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6008341 / WP3395382 Start Switch

Do to the limited room I had to work on this dryer, I shut off the circuit breaker on our power panel, removed the upper back access panel and the lower back panel to gain access to where all the components were mounted. With the reasonably priced parts, I had decided to replace all the pieces that would have anything to do with it staring and running at proper temperature settings. Easy repair and it now works as if it were a new unit. 

My husband and I did the repair after some diagnostics with an ohm meter and found the timer had failed which was causing the dryer to run until the thermal fuse would fail.Doing further diagnostics the switch and the resistor had also failed.This dryer has served us very well for the last 20+ years and the thought of replacement was our first thought but we checked the parts prices from Appliance Parts Pros.com and figured we would give the repair a try.The dryer housing and tub still looks in great shape because it's been taken care of and replacing these parts has this dryer running like new again so our dryer repair and tune up of wheel replacement was the right move for us. 

It was obvious that the timer and the start switch had malfunctioned so it became a matter of getting the correct parts and installing them. The repair as simple and this site was helpful. VWTECHEDITOR 

Be sure to disconnect power cord before beginning repairs. The problem was due to fusing together of contact points inside start switch which allowed current to flow continuously instead of cutting off appropriately. Removed screws from back plate of control panel with small socket tipped driver. Start switch has a lock tab on one side. Pry lock tab up carefully and twist the switch counterclockwise to remove from panel slot. Disconnect two leads from old switch using flat tipped screw driver if necessary. Reattach leads to replacement switch. Mount new switch onto panel. Remember old switch had to be twisted off, so position new one with lock tab off set so that when new switch is twisted on, lock tab will end in proper position to fit in slot. 

Replaced the Push to Start switch. Took about 30 minutes. Finding the way to take the back off the console took the longest. 

Used video and installed easily. 

Replaced switch, replaced heating coil. 

Replaced the “push to start” mechanism. 

Ordered the replacement parts and my husband did the repair. Knob works great now. 

New thermal fuse. While working on it I checked contact tips on timer they were burnt up so I ordered new timer while at it. Door switch had been stuck closed for a while so I ordered a new one of them.