The Thermostat Keeps Going Bad in My Dryer
A dryer usually has multiple thermostats -- at least three cycling and one safety -- that monitor air temperature inside. Cycling thermostats direct the dryer’s heat to turn on and off, and are often found on the internal ducting. The safety thermostat is nearest to the heater and only monitors air temperature when there’s a problem with the dryer providing consistent heat, due to an airflow obstruction or faulty component. If one of the thermostats is continually going bad, perform a basic inspection of your dryer for potential problems.
Blown Thermal Fuse
A dryer will blow a thermal fuse if it’s close to overheating. Each time the thermal fuse blows it can interfere with a thermostat’s function and cause it to go bad, too. Generally, a dryer’s cycling thermostats will constantly cycle as a dryer’s temperature rises to the level that overheating may occur. The continued cycling that accompanies possible overheating wears out a thermostat faster than it otherwise might. Often when you have to replace a blown thermal fuse, you also have to replace a dryer’s cycling thermostats, according to the website Dave Repair.com.
Missing Screws
Two screws should secure a thermostat to a dryer. If one or both of a thermostat’s screws is missing, a thermostat’s wires can easily come loose and the thermostat won’t function properly. Ensure that each thermostat is firmly attached to the dryer, and that no screws are missing.
Faulty Wiring
If you have to replace a thermostat, make sure not to damage the wiring connections. Once the connections become bad, each replacement thermostat you install is liable to go bad. A thermostat is connected with metal or plastic slip connectors, which are attached to wires. Never pull the wires to disconnect a bad thermostat; slide off the connectors instead. Use needle nose pliers to ensure that you grasp the connectors when changing out a dryer’s thermostats, recommends the Part Select website.
Considerations
Each cycling thermostat is programmed for a different heat setting: low, medium and high. You can normally determine whether a thermostat is bad by testing the exhaust air temperature. A low heat setting should have an air temperature of 115 to 125 degrees F, medium heat of 130 to 140 F and high 145 to 155 F. If your dryer isn’t heating to a certain temperature for a specific heating cycle, the thermostat responsible for that particular heating cycle is the one that’s failing. However, if a dryer isn’t maintaining the proper air temperature for any of the heat cycles, the problem is likely related to another area of the dryer, not the thermostats.
References
Writer Bio
Christie Gross has been writing since 1998. Her work writing public policy platforms for elected officials nationwide has been featured in national and local newspapers under various client pen names. Gross has a Bachelor of Arts in English and political science, as well as a Master of Public Administration from the University of Delaware.
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