How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6010610 / WP694674 Cycling Thermostat

For several months we could smell a slight odor of propane in the laundry room and wondered why, just didn't seem like it was enough to be overly concerned, but thought something must be wrong with the dryer, but it was still working. We just didn't know how inefficiently. Then the extra time it took to dry a load of clothes progressively seemed to get longer, but things still seemed to work fine and the clothes got dried, given enough time. Then approximately 3 weeks ago we noticed the dryer would just run for what seemed like forever. It got to the point that it was taking nearly 3 hours just to dry a load of jeans. Drying most just from the air moving through the dryer and not from any source of heat being produced. It was then I realized we either needed to see if it was repairable or if it was time to go out and buy a new one. So I decided to Google the Model number and specified "dryer not heating", when I came across the very well put together website "AppliancePartsPros.com. There videos taught me enough to know I wanted to start with thermostats, which did not work to correct our problem. Then I called and was amazed at the customer service offered in helping me narrow it down to the coil values. If I replaced the coil values that might just explain the odor of propane that we had been smelling over time. After replacing the coils, everything is working like it did the day we purchased the dryer years ago. I also changed the flame sensor while I had it apart and was inside the dryer. Thanks so much Suzanne for all your help & great advise!! 

We had just gotten our current dryer about a month ago and it worked great for being a used appliance. One day it just quit heating. After checking the heating element and seeing that it was still working, my husband brought in the thermostat, and just by the look of it, we could tell that was the culprit. Because the Dryer is an older model, we searched high & low, and did a multitude of web searches with no luck. I then clicked on the link for AppliancePartsPros.com and low and behold within 2 minutes of putting in the model number we had the part ordered, and at a GREAT price. Shipping was super fast. My hubby put the thermostat on the dryer, and we are now enjoying warm, dry clothes. Thank you Appliancepartspros :) 

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. 

Heating element repair kit did the trick -- it included the Hi-Limit Thermostat and the Thermal Fuse. (I had originally ordered those last 2 items separately, but the heating element came with them attached). Love this site to cross reference my appliance model numbers and get the parts I needs. 

Replaced Gas Valve Solenoids, problem is fixed. 

Swapped out the thermostats. I have a new dryer. yay! 

Removed and replaced start switch then motor, no joy. removed the timer for disassembly, found bad contact. soldered contact to the spring tab and assembled and installed the timer. All good now. 

Replaced the thermal fuse and the operating thermostat. Back to working perfectly. 

Shut off circuit breaker to dryer. Unplugged dryer. Removed back panel and vacuumed any lint or dust. Checked continuity of heating element, thermostats, including adjustable dryer cycling thermostat -- found no continuity or intermittent continuity in adjustable dryer cycling thermostat. Removed two screws holding both the adjustable dryer cycling thermostat and thermostat and removed from dryer, having already disconnected. When I received the two parts, I observed that they were damaged; and, I notified appliance parts pros and they said they would send overnight new parts. Told me to hold the damaged parts for 30 days. The parts arrived -- grateful, I unpackaged the parts, and installed and the dryer now heats and dry the clothes. GREAT. My wife is happy too. 

Replaced the Dryer Thermal Fuse and Cycling Thermostat, it was recommend to change both of these in pairs.