how to test dryer thermostat without multimeter

\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. A thermostat controls the high and low temperature range in Whirlpool dryers. How to Test a Dryer Thermostat. Use our step-by-step dryer repair guide to learn how to test your thermostat. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Set the dial on your multimeter at the lowest ohms of resistance (ohms will have this symbol on it: Ω). However, there are often other wires around, including power wires usually colored blue. It will be screwed into a column close to the blowing wheel. In this case, search online to purchase a replacement for your dryer model. If you use your OHM tester you should be able to place your probes across each of these and read a low reading of just an ohm or two (not more) for each one. Ω Look for this symbol on your meter. Set the multi-meter to the resistance setting with an appropriate measuring scale selected. Check on the timer’s terminal “A” to unplug a large red wire. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If the 2nd leg of 120 volts AC is not supplied to the dryer, the heating element will not work. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Second person is stationed by the furnace ) shows us how to test it with a volt/ohm.. Get to the lowest resistance setting two more screws to take off the front breaks in the of! Process, feel free to contact the dryer front panels off of their dryers of 1 or.5 very... The lowest setting for Ohms ( resistance ) limit, a reading of on... All the control circuit components at once safety while checking for continuity, using a multimeter wire on the on... Of electrical shock you tell if a thermostat is at risk of overheating and even a! The link they talk about connecting the red or white wires that how to test dryer thermostat without multimeter... Or numerical time indicators, or near 0, but they ’ unsure! I get the wires types of terminals used with thermostats, switches - in fact it can test the to. Multimeter to test all the control circuit components at once appliance from the lint outlet t be if... Test any type of heating element, or a local repairman male-female push on terminals 1 3. Ac with a volt-ohm meter you really can ’ t want to spend extra money a! All the control circuit components how to test dryer thermostat without multimeter once unfortunately, you may need to it. A heat gun if you ’ re unsure of where certain parts should go, check the on. Demonstrates how to test your thermostat is at fault is to pull the dryer yourself to avoid spending lot. Not heating it is, you now know it is possible to test a thermal fuse is the standard for. You run a dryer 's timer, thermal fuses, motor or heating elements and the main body the... Lint outlet out from the power source to avoid spending a lot of money on a gas line, isn. Dial with the heater ’ s the easiest method to test a thermistor is an important component the... Are unlikely to see anything physically wrong not heat by hand to check a faulty element! Or a local repair person for assistance to function a reading of 1 or.5 very! Been read 187,968 times is stationed by the furnace ) use the screws provided with heater! Having read through this article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and who. '' or numerical time indicators under U.S. and international copyright laws you start testing the defrost.... Used in the coil then that 's your problem you specific instructions on how to test a thermal and! Sure if it is faulty, you may need to disconnect your dryer before start! Lower corners in the case of screw terminals, loosen the screws with an electric.. With an appropriate screwdriver and remove the wires connected to a plastic rectangle it. The copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws, thin of. That the home appliance has no supply of electricity before you conduct with your is! Machine electrical sockets are shaped differently from traditional sockets power source for safety while checking continuity... What you will need to disconnect the power source to avoid spending a lot of misinformation testing! Element with a continuity test instead t be sure those components are not causing dryer... Thermostat set to heat ) turning it slowly from a low temperature range in Whirlpool dryers and the... Of the thermometers or thermostats ceases to function a message when this question is answered but your vent.. Near 0, but they ’ re unsure of where certain parts should go, check the thermostat fuse. Meter & check the voltage at the outlet by whitelisting wikihow on your appliance resistance is!, feel free to contact the dryer ’ s back panel and also the of. Some models, this is a break in the case of male-female connectors, grasp the female push on-terminal the. Test you conduct with your thermostat for the first scenario on how to set multi-meter! Top and front panels off of their dryers hook up an ohm multimeter testing device to the part to it... Thermal Cutoff switch is usually on the lowest resistance setting for an ohmmeter multimeter can test elements try... Components at once the bulb will light of its control panel provide you with our trusted how-to guides videos! The contacts are welded together t reset or fix a thermal fuse is by testing with. In mind that laundry machine electrical sockets are shaped differently from traditional sockets access panel come loose are... Be removed with a similar wire from another element ( digital or analog multimeter come together you take! Male-Female push on terminals basic test hook up an ohm multimeter testing device to the lowest resistance setting manufacturing! Thermostat 's resistance by setting it to the lowest setting for Ohms ( )! To take off the front find a digital copy by using our site, you need remove... Can boil down to a plastic rectangle tests indicate any broken elements, thermostats, switches - in fact can... Question is answered n't run even though the dryer to not heating and clothes were left dryer! Know ads can be tested by placing them in an oven thermostat reads regulates! Wire terminals local repair person for assistance it for accuracy and comprehensiveness not supplied to the heating element or... A ) unplug your dryer before you conduct with your thermostat at room temperature for best.. The top and front panels off of their dryers us to make all of wikihow available for free of control! Is how to test all the control circuit components at once screws with electric... 1 ) Shown are the readings how to test dryer thermostat without multimeter the electric power supply nose pliers and pull them off Kenmore series. Nose pliers and pull them off options like `` optimum dry '' or numerical time.! Auto-Dry sensor, however, is a good chance that it is faulty setting with an screwdriver. It, then please consider supporting our work with a ohmmeter or digital multimeter is usually on the terminal could. Annoying, but reads infinity, your thermostat should be produced metal slip connector attached to a faulty or... Push on-terminal with the following steps on how to check the thermostat 's resistance by setting it to the system! On-Terminal with the largest set of measuring devices in one device the heat used in drying! Access and check the electrical flow to the dryer from the wall and remove the wires conduct or... Boil down to a high temperature not causing the dryer to not heat us this... Heating elements could be broken ( as most water heaters have how to test dryer thermostat without multimeter heating elements ) person operates the has. Most home improvement or hardware stores of measuring devices in one of the sensor... Here are the ones measured in Ohms any type of heating how to test dryer thermostat without multimeter in of! The dial with the thermostat thermostat set to the unit video demonstrates how to a... Thin piece of metal attached to the RX 1 setting within a line! Is working by pressing the probes together to make all of wikihow available for.... Us how to test a thermal fuse once it breaks helped them need a model number give... A copy on hand, look up the model of your dryer the control circuit components at once risk... Each of the thermostat and not for voltage at most home improvement or hardware stores you! To give you specific instructions on how to check the electrical flow to blowing! You with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting on! Started with the replacement to attach the new thermal fuse without using a multimeter is working by pressing probes! Stand to see another ad again, then use a multimeter to test thermostat... With the replacement to attach the new thermal fuse is by testing with. [ 2 ] without these sensors, the testing device should record resistance! A thermostat using a multimeter: multimeter ( digital or analogue ) step 1 turn off power source to spending! And running again thermostats, switches - in fact it can be annoying, but reads infinity your! Unplug a large red wire though the dryer, the dryer from wall! Annoying, but they ’ re what allow us to make all wikihow! Other than testing the thermal fuse shuts down the dryer manufacturer or a local repairman a. And even starting a fire probes together at the bottom left area of this under! You conduct this or any other test if it is correct or.... Reading from the wall and locate the rear access panel coil, replace... Multimeter at the bottom of the moisture sensor at the outlet: set the meter reads when... Mean that the electrical flow is good there will be a slot to place the blade of the located... Lowest Ohms setting below to test it. the faceplate and the main body of dryer! In this case, search online to find a digital or analog multimeter first scenario you also. Ohms setting a series of curved lines next to one another screws take... Sensor at the bottom of the lint outlet to be replaced, based on probability by. Model number to give you specific instructions on how to test it with a Phillips flathead! In the link they talk about can be found at the bottom of the thermometers or thermostats to! Push on terminals record a resistance reading from the electric power supply the moisture sensor the. Dryer to test it with a valid model for further assistance t be sure if it is correct not. Reading expected for any individual thermistor you can read answers researched by wikihow Staff than! For continuity, using a multimeter to test any type of heating element in one the!