I replaced the Hi-Limit Thermostat and the wire to the heating element. First I tested the new T-tat with a heat gun to confirm that the T-stat would function correctly--which it did. Then I installed the new parts in the dryer and tested the operation and it operated correctly. I subsequently did the same test on the old stat--just for fun--and discovered that it never shut off as it should, which confirmed that the burnt wire was caused by a bad stat.