my (secondhand) new dryer isn't heating

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

burritosaurus

New member
Joined
Nov 30, 2012
Messages
2
so um. this is my first post and all, but i really need some help figuring out what's wrong with it.

i just got this dryer last week, and runs, but does not heat.

it's a whirlpool ultimate care ii, and i got it from an old coworker.

i'm studying to become an electrical engineer, so theoretically, i should just be able to take it apart and intuitively know what to do. buuuut, i just started taking classes, and this is my first experience outside the lab work.

1 - i have checked the voltage from the wall. 245 VOLTS
2 - voltage at the connection in the back of the dryer - SAME.
3 - checked heating element coil for continuity - FINE
4 - checked fuse for continuity - FINE
5 - checked thermostat (next to fuse) for continuity - FINE. (it sounds like something may be loose inside the thermostat though)
6 - ALERT - checked voltage across input/output wires connected to the heating element. ALERT! zero voltage.

one of the wires coming from the thermostat (next to the fuse) to the heating element, and one of the wires coming out of the heating element and going somewhere up underneath the dryer, are the two wires which there is no voltage across.

also, above the cover of the heating element, there is some other circuitry that may or may not be another thermostat. not sure what that is yet.

the only things i can think of now are
1 - faulty wiring somewhere
2 - thermostat has continuity but does not turn on/off
3 - broken heat selector switch
4 -a few websites mentioned something about the possibility of a faulty timer (with working motor) that could prevent power from actually getting to the thermostat or the heating element.

does anybody have any ideas? my bathroom/laundry room is all torn up with dryer parts all over the place, and my dirty clothes all over the bathroom floor (and my room).

i'm running out of clothes, and can't really afford the laundromat. please help me to not have to wear wet stinky clothes!
 
Unless it has been removed/lost there is a complete diagram inside the cabinet. Devices in the path to the heater:

*Timer
*Fuse if equipped
*Temp selector if equipped
*Hi operating thermo
*Lo operating thermo if 2-temp
*Safety overtemp thermo
*Motor centrifugal switch
 
Back
Top