How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6015206 / WPW10116735 Hi-Limit Thermostat

Replaced both and melted wire 

Based on available information on websites, and urgency of having the dryer fixed ASAP, I ordered all parts related to heat. First time working on a dryer. 

Replaced the three most likely parts that cause the problem according to your website - the heating element, thermostat and fuse. 

Replaced the High limit thermostat after the continuity test. Replaced the Drum Glides and Felt Pads. 

My Maytag Dryer of 14+ years was turning on and tumbling clothes, but the heat did not turn on. I used the AppliancePartsPros.com website to troubleshoot the problem. The website narrowed down the possible issues. I discovered the heating coil was broken. I overnighted the Heating Element, Thermal Fuse, and Thermostat. Delivery was on time and our family's dryer was back operating well after replacing the parts. 

The dryer was shutting down mid-cycle via the over-temperature fuse. When I disassembled both the permanent press thermostat AND the high limit thermostat, BOTH had fused contacts. So the dryer was going full-on all the time, with no temperature regulation. When clothing loads were medium-sized the over-temperature fuse would shut it down, with light loads, it seemed to work OK. Had me confused for a while. NOTE: the overtemperature fuse should never trip. If your dryer completely shuts down mid-cycle, "something" is seriously wrong. Best to replace both thermostats and the fuse. The repair was very easy. Only took 20 minutes to replace the two thermostats and the overtemperature fuse. The drum stays in the machine.. Easy peasy. 

I replaced the heating element, the high limit fuse, the hi-limit thermostat, and 2 drum support rollers. 

I replaced the thermostat and repaired the wiring. Was not a hard job to do. Just took a little time to do it. So far it is working ok. Cheaper to fix than buy a new dryer. 

Rather than try component by component diagnosis - as all three parts were over 20 years old and two were relatively cheap I decided to replace the high limit fuse/thermostat and the heating element at the same time. Parts arrived next day (even with basic shipping) and replacement took less than 30 minutes parts were a precise fit and apart from a few minutes rolling around on the floor to get access to them fitting was straight-forward. 

I only found the thermal fuse was blown. Since the dryer was not turning off on its own, I went ahead and replaced the controller and the high temp switch. The dryer is working as it should now.