Umair Gaines
A malfunctioning thermostat can cause your dryer to overheat, become a fire hazard, or prevent the air from heating up at all. To test your dryer thermostat, you must first turn off the electrical power to your dryer and access the rear panel. Then, locate the thermostat and detach the wires, labelling them for correct replacement. Next, use a multimeter to test the thermostat's resistance. If the meter does not indicate 0, the thermostat is faulty and should be replaced. You can also test the thermostat's response to temperature change by placing it on an electric griddle and setting the heat to an appropriate temperature. If the thermostat does not switch off within 5% of the designated temperature, it is faulty.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What the thermostat does | Regulates the temperature inside the dryer drum, ensuring it stays within a safe and effective range for properly drying clothes. |
| Signs of a faulty thermostat | Clothes are still damp after a cycle, dryer stops mid-cycle, overheating, air not heating up. |
| What to do | Turn off the electrical power to the dryer, unplug it or cut the circuit at the main fuse or breaker box. Remove the rear access panel. Locate the thermostat. |
| Testing | Use a multimeter to test the thermostat for continuity. If the reading shows an open circuit, the thermostat needs to be replaced. |
| Testing for temperature change | Place the thermostat on an electric griddle or skillet and set the heat to an appropriate temperature. Hold the multimeter probes against the outer terminals as the griddle heats up. If the thermostat does not switch off or switches off prematurely, it needs to be replaced. |
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What You'll Learn
Unplug the dryer and access the rear panel
To begin testing the thermostat on your electric dryer, you must first turn off the electrical power to your dryer. Unplug the appliance from the wall outlet. If you cannot reach the outlet, cut the circuit to the dryer at the main fuse or breaker box. This step is crucial for safety reasons and to prevent any accidents.
Once the dryer is unplugged, you can proceed to access the rear panel. Pull the dryer away from the wall to create some space behind it. The next step is to locate the rear access panel. This panel is usually located at the back of the dryer and may be secured with metal screws. Using a Phillips screwdriver, carefully remove the screws from the panel. If your dryer model has a different type of fastening mechanism, ensure you have the appropriate tools to safely open the rear panel without causing any damage.
Now that the rear panel is accessible, you can proceed to locate the thermostat and begin the testing process. Remember to exercise caution and wear protective gear if necessary. If you are unsure about any aspect of the process, it is always best to consult a professional appliance repair technician for guidance or assistance.
By following these steps to safely access the rear panel of your electric dryer, you can initiate the process of testing and, if needed, repairing or replacing the thermostat.
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Detach the thermostat wires
Before detaching the thermostat wires, ensure the electrical power to your dryer is turned off. Unplug the appliance from the wall or cut the circuit at the main fuse or breaker box. Now, you can proceed to detach the wires.
The dryer thermostat will have two wires connecting it to the heating element. Label each wire prior to removal so you know how to reconnect them. Identify the metal slip connector attached to the wires and pull the wires by these connectors. If necessary, use needle-nose pliers.
Once the wires are detached, you can proceed to test the thermostat's ohms. Ohms indicate electrical flow. Use a multimeter to test the thermostat's resistance by setting it to the RX1 setting. Place each of the meter's probes onto the wire terminals. A reading of 0 indicates that the electrical flow is good. If the meter reads infinity, your thermostat should be replaced.
It's important to note that some cycling thermostats will have more than two terminals. In this case, the inner terminals are used to control low heat settings. To accurately test the thermostat, touch the red probe to one of the outer terminals and the black probe to the other outer terminal.
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Test the thermostat's ohms
To test the thermostat's ohms, you will need to use a multimeter. This device will allow you to test the thermostat's resistance by setting it to the RX1 setting. Before you begin, ensure that the power to your dryer is turned off, and unplug the appliance from the wall.
The dryer thermostat will have two wires connecting it to the heating element. Label each wire prior to removal so you know how to reconnect them. You can then detach the wires, pulling by the metal slip connector attached to the wires. If necessary, use needle-nose pliers.
Now, place each of the meter's probes onto the wire terminals. A reading of 0 ohms indicates that the electrical flow is good. If the meter does not indicate 0, but reads infinity, your thermostat should be replaced. You can also look for any signs of damage, such as cracks or excessive wear and tear.
It's important to note that the heaters are usually in the 5,000 to 10,000-ohm range, so you will need to use the 20K resistance scale on the meter to measure it. If there is infinite resistance, it is bad, but it will only affect the lower heat settings, so the unit will always run on high heat.
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Check for signs of damage
A malfunctioning thermostat can cause the dryer to overheat and become a potential fire hazard, or it may prevent the air from heating up at all. Therefore, it is important to check for signs of damage.
Firstly, look for any signs of damage such as cracks or excessive wear and tear on the thermostat. If you notice any visible damage, it is likely that the thermostat needs to be replaced.
Secondly, check for electrical continuity. The thermostat should always be “switched on" or display continuity at lower temperatures. Use a multimeter to test for continuity. If the reading shows an open circuit, the thermostat needs to be replaced.
Additionally, you can test the thermostat's response to temperature change. Place the thermostat on an electric griddle or skillet and set the heat to an appropriate temperature. Hold the multimeter probes against the outer terminals as the griddle heats up. If the thermostat does not switch off, or switches off prematurely, it is defective and needs to be replaced.
Finally, check the ohms of the thermostat using a multimeter. The heaters are usually in the 5,000 to 10,000-ohm range, so use the 20K resistance scale on the meter. If there is infinite resistance, the thermostat is bad and will need to be replaced.
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Test the thermostat's response to temperature change
To test the thermostat's response to temperature change, you will need to remove the thermostat from the dryer and place it on an electric griddle or skillet. Set the heat to an appropriate temperature—for a thermostat with an “L155” designation, set the heat slightly higher than 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hold the two multimeter probes against the outer terminals as the griddle or skillet heats up to the designated temperature. A multimeter is used to test electrical components and determine if they have failed. The thermostat should switch off or display no electrical continuity within five per cent of the designated temperature. If it does, the part is functioning correctly.
If the thermostat does not switch off, or switches off prematurely, it is likely defective and needs to be replaced.
It is important to note that the thermostat should always display continuity at lower temperatures, as it is designed to “switch off” at high temperatures.
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Frequently asked questions
If your clothes are still damp after a drying cycle, or the dryer stops mid-cycle, you may have a faulty thermostat. A faulty thermostat can also cause the dryer to overheat and become a fire hazard, or it may prevent the air from heating up at all.
First, turn off the electrical power to your dryer and locate the thermostat by accessing the dryer's rear panel. Then, remove the thermostat wires and use a multimeter to test the thermostat's resistance. Place each of the meter's probes onto the wire terminals. You should receive a reading of 0. If the meter does not indicate 0, the thermostat is faulty.
A multimeter is a tool used to test electrical components. You can use it to test the thermostat's resistance by setting it to the RX 1 setting.
The thermostat regulates the temperature inside the dryer drum, ensuring it stays within a safe and effective range for properly drying clothes.
There are several other potential causes for a malfunctioning dryer, including air flow problems, a damaged blower wheel, a blown thermal fuse, a malfunctioning moisture sensor, a shortened heating element, or a defective gas valve solenoid.
