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Customer Questions and Answers for Thermistor by Whirlpool

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Manufacturer Part
4.89 (64)
By: Whirlpool
Part Number: OEM18040551
Manufacturer Part Number: WP8577274

The Thermistor is an OEM part for Whirlpool brand dryers. It is a temperature-sensing resistor that monitors air temperature changes during the drying cycle. The thermistor provides feedback to the control board on heating element performance and internal air condition. 

Symptoms of a failed thermistor include:

  • Inaccurate temperature readings and selections  
  • Improper or incomplete drying
  • Safety issues from overheating due to lack of feedback
  • Error codes displayed on the control panel

Causes can be related to normal wear and environmental exposure over time. Failure prevents the dryer from achieving optimal drying conditions.

This OEM Whirlpool part can also be used on Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Norge, Roper, and Kenmore/Sears brand appliances.

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Questions & Answers

For Whirlpool Thermistor (Part Number: OEM18040551)

1 Answer

Shawn, The error indicates the outlet thermistor is shorted. It is located on the metal duct behind the front panel far right. We will send you a sheet on testing procedures. If the thermistor tests well then the CCU would need to be replaced.

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Dirk for Model Number WED9400SW1

Dry runs on all heat levels (except air only) for 3-5 minutes then throws breaker. On Air Only will run without a problem. It seems at any heat the temperature is the same after it throw breaker. The diagnostic test shows no problems with components (all lights on) and no error codes except PF after it throws breaker. Is this more likely the Thermistor or should I also replace the Thermal fuse and or the Thermal cut-off kit? Thank you for your help.

1 Answer

DIrk, You will want to check the heating element for hitting the casing causing the breaker to trip once it gets hot. If this is not the case then it sounds like you may have a possible bad breaker.

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1 Answer

Hello Scott, The thermistor should have read within 10% of 10KO. If it read 17.11KO, it is out of tolerance and should be changed. Also, if the unit is taking that long to dry you should make sure the exhaust duct is clear from the rear of the dryer to the outside atmosphere.

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1 Answer

Hello Mike, at room temp 70 deg the exhaust thermistor is listed as about 12k ohms.

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1 Answer

James, The top would have to come off, then the front console, then you will find the screws that hold the front panel on. I believe four across the top then remove two attaching the front panel to the lint filter and possibly two in the bottom.

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1 Answer

Mike G., start with the voltage at the terminal block, you should read 240 volts from black to red, if the voltage is correct, with the dryer running, you should read 240 volts at the 2 terminals of the heating element. If voltage is not there, make sure there is voltage at the heater relay on the control board, at the common pin, a red wire, there should be 120 volts, if there is, you may have a centrifugal switch on the motor that is bad, you would need to replace the motor, part number is [279787 ], the board is part number [3978918]. This is taking into account the thermal fuse and heating element is good.

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1 Answer

Kirk, based on the information provided, with the air vent clear through the entire duct including through the house, the issue would be in the thermistor not properly registering the heat and short cycling the element.

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1 Answer

Hello Tom, you will need a multimeter for this test, remove the rear control panel cover and access the main control board, locate the P9-1 blue wire terminal and check it to P8-3 white for 120v after starting a cycle. If no 120v then replace the main control board for a faulty motor run relay, if there is 120v then check the thermal fuse (blue wires) located on the blower housing. If no continuity on the fuse then it will need to be replaced and also check the heater element if it has grounded to the chassis causing the overheat condition that tripped the fuse,

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Ew for Model Number MEDB850WQ0

Dryer would not run. I checked and found the Thermal Fuse to have an open circuit which indicates it had failed. I also measured and found the Exhaust Thermistor to have an OPEN circuit at room temperature (75 F). According to the Tech Sheet supplied with the dryer, the Exhaust Thermistor resistance changes with temperature, so the resistance at room temperature should have been 8.5 - 13.5 K ohms. The Tech Sheet advised changing the Exhaust Thermistor if the resistance did not fall within the specified range. I just received the new parts, and tested them before installation. The Thermal Fuse tested OK. The NEW Exhaust Thermistor is again measuring an OPEN circuit, which is not in the specified range. Can you please advise me if this is correct for the Exhaust Thermistor? Thanks

1 Answer

Hello EW, You should check the range of your meter since it will have to be set high enough to read the resistance of the thermistor. At room temperature the exhaust thermistor should read 11.5KO to 13.5KO. This will need to be read on about a 20KO resistance range on the test meter. Please note that 20KO is the same as 20,000O of resistance so the 20,000 range will need to be used to read the resistance or the meter will read Ol which means more resistance than the meter can read at that scale on the meter.

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