How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP3094254 / 279838 Dryer Heating Element

First, let me share with you that I have never done anything with a dryer besides put my clothes in it and press start. I'm a girl that will try to fix things on my own if I can learn how to do it. I can do it anyone can do it. I found out by asking questions, that I needed to purchase a multimeter and learn how to use it. There are some great videos online that can demonstrate how to read a multimeter. Then I viewed two videos online on how to repair the exact model of my Whirlpool dryer for a heating problem. It specifically showed me how to take apart the back of my Whirlpool dryer and test each probable problem area. I needed a Phillips screwdriver, and a rachet set to open and remove the parts. First of all, it's very important to unplug your dryer from the wall outlet. Remember, safety first. I found that the lent area was packed with "years" of lent. I cleaned that out thoroughly by removing each part. Then, I used the multimeter to locate the problem by checking the three thermostats in back of the dryer by checking the ohms. I immediately found out that the safety shut off thermostat was no longer working properly. I also removed the heating element and visually checked it to see if any of the coils were damaged. It was apparent once I removed it that my heating element was no longer working as well. I did a lot of research online to comparison shop, & I found that appliance parts pros had the products I needed in stock and at a very reasonable price. I thought that I would not pay the extra fee for the quick shipping, since it said that I could receive it in maybe 2 days. To my amazement, I received it in less than 24 hours. I put the parts back into my dryer exactly as I had taken them out, and because I had labeled the wires for their connection, it was very easy to reinstall. Thank you appliance parts pros for helping me repair my dryer and save me a lot of money and time. I'm feeling a little bit like Wonder Woman right now. :-) Good luck to all of you who may have a similar problem as myself. Don't be afraid to ask questions, it helps us learn. 

I used the Appliance Parts Pros d.i.y. video to get some oversight on the repair; ordered the parts (heating element, Hi-Limit T-stat and Dryer Thermal Cut-Off kit). I unplugged the electric; disconnected the exhaust duct; moved the clothes dryer so that I could remove the back sheet metal panel. The electrical connection at the heater "Stacon" terminal was corroded and broken - an open circuit. This had happen about 10 years before and I was familiar with this problem. After removing the heater I inspected it and noticed that one of the ceramic insulator stand-offs had cracked and it appeared that the heater coil was touching the heater housing (the housing surface was charred in this area). After receiving the parts mentioned above, I installed them. The damaged wire, I cut back to a good area and spliced it with a crimp (union) connection to the wire (modified) supplied with the Thermal cut-off kit. The Thermal cut-off and the Hi-Limit Thermostat were replaced with new parts as the existing items were 15 years old. I checked the Thermal fuse and Cycling Thermostat with an ohmmeter - these existing parts were good. I test ran the clothes dryer with the air duct connected, back cover off and checked the ampere draw (21 amps at the heater), and the voltage (240 vac). Disconnected the dryer again an put it back together and ran the unit for 10 minutes on hi heat setting - all OK. Oddly, when I measured the resistance of the old and new heater coil, the resistance measurements were the same, about 9 ohms, cold). The old heater case was charred in the area of the broken insulator stand-off, this condition may have had an effect on the amp draw and/or heat condition to cause the heater terminal wire to part, ??? 

Did some poking around on the interweb and found appliancepartspros.com along with the help I needed to fix my dryer. I have never worked on a dryer but am fairly mechanical. Tools I used were a 1/4" nut driver and a pair of needle nose pliers. I watched a youtube video of changing-out the heating element and couldn't believe how easy it is. My dear wife had spent time cleaning most of the stuff that had accumulated around the dryer since it was installed in 2010. I used the small shop vac and cleaned the dryer after the rear cover was removed as well as the duct/wall vent. The wall vent had so much lint in it that the flapper would not close. This is a West wall and the flapper closing will keep the room from getting so cold in the winter. I should probably clean that annually. I didn't do any testing of components, just ordered the Whirlpool Dryer Heating Element, Dryer Thermal Cut-Off Switch Kit and a Hi-Limit Thermostat. Only problem I had (besides NOT being as limber as I used to be working in the tight area Lol), which really wasn't a problem, was that the Hi-Limit Thermostat is included in the Dryer Thermal Cut-Off Kit. The two interchangeable parts look different, the one in the Kit uses a jumper wire and the other one doesn't. The one that doesn't use the jumper wire looked just like the one I took off my dryer so I used that one. Upon disassembly, I found my heating element was broken. I saved the two switches I removed and replaced in case I might need them in the future (will test them to make sure they are still good). As mentioned, there is a slight smell for a few minutes when initially turning on the dryer. First drying cycle with the new element I used a setting ~75% of what I normally used to use for a load. I didn't let it go through the cool-down cycle and when I took the clothes out they were much warmer than in the past and completely dry. I would imagine the element was not working correctly for some time. Great experience with the order. Ordered the parts on a weekend and received them on Tuesday using just the "Fast" shipping. Removal and replacement of the parts could be completed by anyone with a 1/4" socket and a pair of needle nose pliers. A helper is nice to bring a cocktail. 

After watching the troubleshoot videos on AppliancePartsPros.com website it was easy to understand that I needed to replace my heating element. Using the how to video on the same site repairs were very simple. PLUS I learned some really great safety cleaning tips and things to watch for in the future. Best of all I ordered the parts from them Sunday night after church and Tuesday evening I was installing the correct part. Hot and normal drying times are back. I saved a lot of money. Thanks www.appliancepartspros.com. John Henry Cagle - Center, Texas 

Ordered another element from my now favorite appliance parts store. Ordered on a Monday around 11 or 12. Came the next day USPS. Still don't know how they did that. And I didn't choose next day delivery. I'm thinking warehouse had got to be in my neighborhood! Lol. Amazing! Went on you tube, they had the exact video showing step by step how to change the element. Very easy. Done in 30 minutes. Dryer is working like New now. 

The heating element had been replaced approximately 2 years ago, but the dryer thermal cut-off kit was not used. When it started doing the same thing--extreme temp, wrinkling clothes, ruining clothes--decided to replace all attached to heat function. Parts arrived when expected. The videos on-line was a great help making it a lot easier than thought. While I was working on it did a "tune up"-used dryer repair kit and replaced rollers and belt. After abount 45 min on everything, the dryer runs like new! Happy wife, happy life! thanks appliancepartspro.com for having the parts and speedy delivery. 

The fix went very weii. I had the new element installed in 30 min. Made my wife happy. Appliance Parts Where very fast with delivery 2DAYS an had the part. Thanks Good Job. 

I ordered part from your website - watched your repair video - and thought - HEY!! I can do this... So - I got my screwdriver - step stool (cause my laundry room is small and I'm short - I needed the assistance to climb over my washer) and a flashlight.. I followed the directions from the video and got it removed and it was burnt. When the new part came in - I went back to my corner and installed it in less than 15 minutes - TADAA!! just like new!!! There was NO cursing - bandages or men involved in this repair at all!!!! Thanks for the repair video or this would have cost me dearly to get fixed.... THANKS!!!! 

New heating element and thermostat 

I thought I had bought every part that had to do with heat. The coils, the thermastat, the....it was 5 parts. That didn't do it. My brother-in-law came over and disconnected two wire that were hooked to a part that cost $2.95 and took a paper clip and by-passed this little part and immediately there was heat. The paper clip also glowed but that was the piece of the puzzle that I had failed to try. I am one of those guys who never repaired anything...just bought another appliance. I will re-think wasting my money in the future and think "Repair." I had quick delivery of the item I ordered and will keep your name in my files. Thanks, Ron Stewart