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Customer Questions and Answers for High-Limit Thermostat (Inlet) by Whirlpool

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Manufacturer Part
4.89 (64)
By: Whirlpool
Part Number: OEM18040590
Manufacturer Part Number: WP8577891

This safety thermostat monitors temperature at the dryer's air inlet and opens the heater circuit if temperatures climb too high. Replacing a failed unit restores proper heat control and helps protect the dryer from overheating damage. What it does:

  • Senses inlet air temperature and interrupts power to the heater when a high limit is reached
  • Helps prevent overheating and repeat thermal fuse failures due to restricted airflow
  • Failure symptoms include no heat, intermittent heat, very hot cabinet, or a burnt odor
  • Supports consistent drying performance by maintaining safe operating temperatures
What's included:
  • 1 thermostat
Install notes:
  • Disconnect power; turn off gas supply for gas models
  • Thermostat is typically mounted on the inlet duct or near the heater/blower housing; refer to your model's diagram for location
  • Move wires one at a time to the new thermostat; reuse existing mounting hardware
  • After replacement, clean the lint path and verify proper vent airflow to prevent repeat failures

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Questions & Answers

For Whirlpool High-Limit Thermostat (Inlet) (Part Number: OEM18040590)

1 Answer

Hello Cindy. We are working daily at adding new videos to our website, but we do not offer one for your model and this part at this time. Sorry. This part slides onto the terminal of the element. You will remove the old one and slide the new one into place. They are not to hard to replace. Just make sure the power is disconnected first. Thank you.

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Jeffrey Sias for Model Number wed6200swo

your anwser to pete,regarding the thermal cut off kit is wrong.part #279816 does not contain the correct parts for a mod#wed6200swo the lower piece is part#ap3951297 which is listed separate, from the cutoff kit..i was sent the wrong parts #279816 and got the same results as pete,with 1 exception,i twisted the 2 red wires together,and the dryer seems to be working normally.this modelwed6200swo uses a thermal cut-off on the top of the heat duct,and a inlet thermistor/high limit thermoastat in the lower part of the duct.its mounted in the element housing.the lower cutoff supplied with kit 279816 has no provision for the 2 smaller ga .red . wires.this wil f lash a code to replace other parts,but its because you have the wrong parts ,the lowercutoff, installed.if pete orders part #ap3951297 and installs it in the lower position all should be good. or at least im hoping so because i am in the same dilema, do i need to order more parts??? as in ap3951297???

1 Answer

Jeffrey, The thermistor fixed WP8577891 is the correct part for your unit. This should resolve the heating issue if it is the problem.

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1 Answer

Hello Trent, The first thing that you will want to check is venting to make sure that the vent from the blower wheel to the outside of home. If the vent is clogged it will cause an issue where the unit will not be able to exhaust the moisture and will cause longer drying times.

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Peter for Model Number WED6200SW0

Recieved the thermal Dryer cut off kit # ap3094244. it looks a little different as it does not have the plug for the two red wire harness that went on the old part, # 8577891.. there was also a new part that I placed on the upper setion ot the heating duct. Pugged it in and nothing happened. When pressing the start button, the sensing light on the panel lights up and nothing else happens. While I was out here on the pc, the dryer signaled it was done, and beeped. It was not runing an must have timed out? Anyway, I found the diagnostic sheet and managed to pull some codes: F-23, F-25 and C-5. Checked the Exhaust Thermister, no resistance, same with the Inlet Thermister. Very strange. Checked the P4-3 and P4-6 terminals and the reading was 13.8k Ohms. This tells me to replace the Machine Control Electronics. What is the next step? Help. Tired of going to the laundrymat. Thanks.

1 Answer

Hello Peter. If the tech sheet is referring you to replace the control board, then that is what you will need to do with the unit.This is provided to help the technician repair the units.

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1 Answer

Hello Lenore. The error code you provided is for a restricted vent in the unit. Check and make sure the lint filter is clean, and the dryer vent is clear and not clogged or kinked.

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Ron for Model Number wed6600vw0

I checked each element terminal to the casing and there is no short. I checked the heater relay between N.O.Black and COM Red and that circuit is open.(The N.O.Black connector shows signs of overheating.) I checked the inlet thermistor at P4 pin 1 and P4 pin 2 and found 48800 ohms. I also found a Service Tech Sheet when I opened the Machine Control Electronics. Under "Heat will not shut off" troubleshooting, it refers to P4 pin 3 and P4 pin 6 at the connector.(disconnected.) My reading is 9k to 10k ohms. It suggest that I replace the machine control electronics with a reading between 5k and 15k ohms. Do You agree?

1 Answer

Ron, Yes, I agree, all your heater circuit components check OK, Problem would have to be in the control board circuit or components. Good Luck.

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Ron W. for Model Number wed6600vw0

I am blowing thermal fuses, When the dryer runs with the back off I can see the the heater coils glow red, but do not cycle off. I have changed AP3951297 (8577891) THRMST-FIX, but this does not help. I get continuity on main spade terminals and when using a lighter the circuit will open. I have also checked the Dryer thermister, it has about 8.5k to 10k ohms at about 79 Deg. When I put my fingers on the sensor the resistance drops quickly.I have also pulled out the heater element to make sure it is not sagging or grounded.

1 Answer

Ron, You are checking the heat with the vent disconnected ? Did you check each element terminal the the heater casing for a resistance reading, You may have an element shorted to the case. Also check the heater relay on the control board for stuck contacts(closed circuit). Your exhaust thermistor circuit checks in range, now you need to check the inlet thermisor for 50,000 ohms at room temperature(connector P4 pin2 to P4 pin1 the red wires). You should find your issue in one of these areas. Good Luck

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