Where Can I Buy A Thermal Fuse For A Dryer [PATCHED]
Temporarily tape the two wires that go to the thermal fuse together to essentially "bypass" or "jump" the thermal fuse. Use electrical tape to properly insulate the connection and avoid contact of bare wire contacts with the dryer cabinet. NOTE: Do not leave the thermal fuse bypassed following this temporary diagnostic test. The thermal fuse is an essential safety component that must normally be in place to safely run the dryer.
where can i buy a thermal fuse for a dryer
If the dryer heats up way past 150 degrees, then you will likely need to replace the operating thermostat that is right beside the thermal fuse. You could also have a heating element that is shorted to the cabinet and heating constantly.
The thermal fuse is a safety backup which is designed to prevent a fire from occurring by disconnecting the power, if the thermostats fail. There usually are other temperature sensors as well to detect lower temperatures for different cycle options, delicates etc but there should also be a high limit one.
A thermal fuse is a small device - just an inch or two long - that plays a critical role in preventing fires. Federal law mandates the inclusion of a thermal fuse on all dryers manufactured since the 1980s. A thermal fuse operates if dryer exhaust temperatures climb too high. The fuse shuts off the dryer or its components if this happens. A thermal fuse only works one time. If it triggers during a high-exhaust temperature event, the fuse must be replaced.
Many dryers simply will not run once a thermal fuse triggers. On other models, the drum continues to turn and the dryer operates, but the heating element does not. Clothes come out of the dryer wet once the appliance completes its drying cycle. Manufacturers are not consistent from model to model, even within the same brand.
A reliable method for testing whether a thermal fuse has burned out is to temporarily bypass the device. However, it is tempting to operate the dryer this way, or forget to replace the fuse once the dryer is running. Bypassing the fuse is only a quick means of detecting whether the fuse is bad. It is not a permanent fix. Disconnect the two wires from the fuse and tie them together with a jumper wire, then turn on the dryer. If it runs and heats, the thermal fuse burned out and must be replaced.
A better, faster means of testing requires an electrical multitester set at its lowest RX setting. Remove the two wire leads from the thermal fuse and touch a multitester probe to each wire terminal on the fuse. If you get a reading of infinity, the fuse is fine. Any reading less than infinity indicates a triggered thermal fuse you will need to replace.
In vented dryers, lint buildup causing dryer fires can be a real worry. As such, modern dryers come with several safety measures. One such measure is the thermal fuse. This fuse detects dryer temperature. If the air is getting dangerously hot, the thermal fuse will trip to shut off the heat. While this can prevent fires, the thermal fuse is, unfortunately, a one-time use part. This means once it trips, your dryer may not function until it is replaced.
A tripped thermal fuse can have two effects. In some dryers, it simply shuts off electricity to the heating element. This means a dryer will run, but it will only air-dry clothing. In other models, the thermal fuse stops power completely. This means your dryer will not even try to work. These two symptoms are common signs that a thermal fuse has blown. However, it is a problem you may have seen coming. You may have found your laundry hot, but also not dry, which can be a sign of overheating.
The concrete way to check your thermal fuse is to take it out and test it. As this part is likely to need replaced at some point, it is rather easy to reach. You will find it installed somewhere near the exhaust hose of your dryer, specifically where in that area depends on the model.
Once the wires from the thermal fuse have been disconnected and the fuse has been removed, you will want to test it with a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the lowest setting of ohms of resistance. Touching each end of the fuse, if it measures zero ohms, then your fuse is still good. Any other reading means that the thermal fuse has blown.
Now your repair is technically just replacing that fuse. However, be aware that a thermal fuse does trip because you have an overheating problem that needs to be addressed. Most likely, it means you need to clean your dryer vents.
The thermal fuse in your dryer is a safety device designed to prevent the dryer from overheating. The fuse is heat sensitive and when the dryer becomes too hot it will blow. If the fuse has blown then the dryer will either stop working or there will be no heat when the drum is turning. A blown thermal fuse is simple to replace. With a few tools, a do it yourself warrior can save valuable money from being wasted on a service call. Here is a detailed set of instructions on how to replace a thermal fuse in your dryer.
The fuse is located near the dryer's blower housing. There are two leads going to the thermal fuse. Gently remove the wires by grasping firmly on the female end of the stake on connector and pull it towards you.
With the leads disconnected, the nut driver is used to remove the screw holding the thermal fuse in place. Most type of these fuses have a tab on one end. A pivoting motion is required to wiggle it out.
A thermal fuse helps to protect appliance owners by detecting when a dryer becomes too hot and shutting off electricity to the heating element. If your thermal fuse has been tripped, it can be easy to diagnose. In most models, your dryer will still work very much as it normally would. Your display lights still work, you can still start a cycle, and the drum will even still spin. However, as no electricity is reaching the heating element, there will be no heat to efficiently dry your clothes. Your clothes may come out a little drier after the cycle ends, but still significantly damp as well as cold to the touch.
While the location of the thermal fuse may vary from model to model, in most cases it is located by the dryer exhaust hose. This is so it can accurately react when the temperature gets too high as all air needs to pass through the exhaust. In order to reach the thermal fuse, you should start by disconnecting your dryer from the power via unplugging it. You will also want to loosen the screws on the clamp that secures your dryer exhaust hose to your appliance so you can disconnect the hose.
Now once the dryer is unplugged and the exhaust hose is removed, unthread the screws that secure the back panel to remove it. You will now have access to the thermal fuse located by the exhaust vent. It is a small part about an inch in length that is connected via two wires. You can test the fuse for continuity with a multimeter to discover if it was the true cause. If it still has continuity, you may want to look to the heating element itself.
To replace the fuse, gently disconnect the two wires attached to it and unthread the mounting screw. Your fuse will easily come off and the new one can be installed. While there are ways to bypass using a thermal fuse, it is highly recommended that it is replaced. Every time a thermal fuse trips, it has potentially saved your home and your life.
Replacing a thermal fuse once it has tripped is easy enough, but you need to recognize that it was tripped for a reason. Your dryer grew too hot in its operating temperature, and there was a reason for it. So just because you replaced a thermal fuse does not necessarily mean your repair is complete. You need to find out why your dryer overheated or you will find yourself replacing the thermal fuse near every time you run your dryer.
While exhaust problems are the most common cause of overheating, a dryer that gets too hot can also be caused by malfunctions in the thermostat as well as the heating element. These issues should be checked as well if your thermal fuse keeps being tripped.
If your dryer is tumbling but no longer producing heat, your first suspect should be the thermal fuse. The thermal fuse is installed in dryers as a safety device. If the temperature gets too high in the dryer, the thermal fuse will trip in an effort to prevent a fire. Once this happens, the dryer will still function very much as normal, but the tripped fuse prevents the heating elements from receiving any power, so it will produce no heat. On newer models, a thermal fuse can completely shut the dryer down.
A thermal fuse is, in most cases, a part with a one time use. In order to turn the heat back on, you will need to replace the fuse located near the exhaust vent on your dryer. Some models may have a way of resetting the fuse, but more commonly it is something that needs to be changed out before your dryer will function normally again.
It is crucial that, while a fuse is quick to be replaced, you need to remember it was tripped for a reason. Failure to investigate and address why the thermal fuse was tripped is not only likely to result in more blown thermal fuses but means your dryer will remain a potential fire hazard.
If your thermal fuse was responsible for the issue, your first course of action after replacing it should be to check your dryer vent. The flexible metal hose that attaches your dryer to the vent in your home can become blocked with a buildup of lint. As this blocks the proper release of hot, wet air from your dryer drum, it can cause the dryer to heat up. If the hose is blocked up, even partially, this is likely what caused the thermal fuse to blow.
If your thermal fuse was fine and the thermometer checked out, it is likely that the cause of no heat to your otherwise working dryer is due to faulty heating coils. After removing the back panel of your dryer, you can find the heating coil by looking for metal wires coiled together. You will have access to the terminals after removing the lead in which you can test with a multimeter. If you get a reading of zero, then the coil needs to be replaced.
This step-by-step dryer repair guide shows how to replace the thermal fuse for an electric dryer. The thermal fuse in a dryer is a safety component that trips if the air flowing through the drum overheats. A blocked exhaust vent is the most common reason the air overheats. When the thermal fuse blows in an electric dryer, the display lights still work but the drive motor won't run. You can't reset the thermal fuse; if it's blown, replace it with the manufacturer-approved dryer part. 041b061a72