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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

Hello Ed, This sounds like you have a thermistor failure. You should test the outlet thermistor WP8577274 for 10Kohms of resistance. There is a 10% tolerance they should be within. It is located on the blower housing.

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1 Answer

Roger, With the resistance value at room temp on the thermistor being good then this would not be a thermistor error. There are 2 components other than the thermostats which would cause the heating element not to work. First is the motor and second the Control board. The best option is to disconnect the power to the unit and access the heating element. Disconnect one wire that is going to the heating element, preferably the one on the thermostat side. Plug the unit back up and using a multimeter you will want to turn the dryer on and test for 120 vac at the terminal on the heater where the wire was disconnected. What this will do is eliminate the heater element itself and the motor. If there is 120 vac at this point then you know the heater is good and the motor is good because the other 120 vac coming through the thermostats is the control board side of the circuit. If there is not 120 vac at that point then you will want to test the other terminal on the heater and check for 120 vac. If there is not 120 vac then the motor would be bad .

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Gregory for Model Number WED6600WL0

This is a terrible model - breaks every year like clockwork. Last year it was the F1 and was caused by a connection on the control board that burned. I resoldered it and the dryer worked for a year. Now...this year: First it was a F1 code - replaced the main control board. Now it is F2 - replaced the user interface board - same F2 Checked the thermistor - R = 11K at room temp Checked thermal fuse R = 0 Checked the high limit thermostat R = 0 Checked heating element - tests within spec. When I turn on power and press start - the dryer makes a sound like it wants to start and then gives a sort of clunk sound and then F2 appears. It clearly isn't the F2 (F-02 flashes when there is a stuck button or user interface mismatch. This fault code will ONLY appear when in the diagnostic test mode.) I replaced the board as stated above and still get the F2 even when I am not in diagnostic test mode. The motor spins freely and was replaced last year. I suppose I am going to need to take the device apart (again) and check the motor again and belt drive switch... The drum is sort of hard to turn...it does not spin freely...but does spin with some effort. Any ideas?

1 Answer

Hello Gregory. You will need to check and make sure the boards you installed are the correct ones for your model number. Also check for any stuck button and replace the console assembly if needed.

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1 Answer

Hello Derek. It sounds like the thermistor is faulty as it should read 10K ohms of resistance at 77 degrees. If you replace it and it still continues, then the next thing to check would be the main board. Also, make sure your breaker is not failing under a load.

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1 Answer

Tim, If the wiring to the thermistor and the thermistor itself checks ok then the issue will most likely be caused by the main control board which is part number WP8546219.

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1 Answer

Leamon, It's most likely the thermal fuse WP3392519 / 3392519, located on the blower housing. If the temperature in the blower housing reaches or exceeds 195 dgrs.F.(+/- 10%) the fuse will open and remove power to the motor circuit and the dryer wont start. The fuse has to be replaced to make the dryer operable. Check to make sure the venting system and vent hood aren't kinked twisted or clogged and replace the fuse.

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1 Answer

Joe, You will want to test the door switch on the unit and if the door switch is good. If the switch is good then you will want to check to see if the motor is getting power to it. If there is 120 vac getting to the motor when the start button is pushed in thent he motor would be the issue and if there is not power then the issue will be the control board.

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1 Answer

Jude, You will want to check the wiring between the thermistor and the control board. If the wiring checks ok then the issue will be a faulty control board on the unit. The part number for the control board is [AP6013143.

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