How to Troubleshoot a Whirlpool Dryer That Won't Start

WhirlpoolWhirlpool DryerModerate⏱ 1 - 3 hours

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If a Whirlpool dryer won’t start, the problem is often something simple like the timer setting, a failed door switch, or a power supply issue at the terminal block. This guide walks through practical checks and multimeter tests for the door switch, start switch, thermal fuse, motor, and incoming power so you can identify what’s stopping the dryer from running. This procedure was written with a Whirlpool-style dryer that has a top lint filter, and other Whirlpool models may look slightly different.

🧰 Tools

Multimeter
1/4" Nut Driver
5/16" Nut Driver
Phillips Screwdriver
Putty Knife
6-in-1 Screwdriver
Large Needle Nose Pliers
Electrical Tape
Small parts container
Work Gloves

ШагиSteps

Do basic no start checks

Confirm the timer is set to an active cycle so the dryer is actually being told to run.
WARNING: Unplug the dryer before removing any panels or touching internal wiring.

Check the door switch without tools

Open the door and check whether the drum light turns on if the dryer has a light.
Press the door switch button to cycle the light on and off.
Suspect a bad door switch if pressing it doesn’t affect the light.
Suspect a bad door switch if it has no audible click or doesn’t snap back when released.

Use the door switch to help diagnose the motor

Tape the door switch closed to trick the dryer into running with the door open.
Set the timer to run and spin the drum by hand counterclockwise while pressing the Start button.
If the dryer starts only when you spin the drum, the motor is likely failing and needs replacement.
Remove the tape after testing so the dryer can’t run with the door open.

Inspect the terminal block and power cord

Inspect the terminal block area at the back of the dryer where the power cord connects.
Look for visible damage on the cord or terminal block.
Replace a damaged cord or terminal block immediately because it’s a common cause of a dead dryer.

Measure voltage at the terminal block

WARNING: Live voltage testing can cause serious injury or death, so only do this if you’re comfortable working around energized wiring.
Set a multimeter to AC voltage and test the middle terminal to the left terminal for about 120 V.
Test the middle terminal to the right terminal for about 120 V.
Test the left terminal to the right terminal for a total between 208 V and 240 V.
If the left-to-right reading is below 208 V, diagnose the breaker, outlet, and power cord.
Cycle the breaker fully off and fully on if the voltage readings are odd.

Remove the rear panel for internal testing

Unplug the dryer.
Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the screws holding the rear panel on.
Remove eight to 10 screws, depending on whether the dryer has a steam port.
Remove the plastic cap if it’s present.
Keep the screws in a container so they don’t get lost.

Identify the main component areas

Locate the heating components on the right side of the rear opening.
Locate the blower housing, thermal fuse, and cycling thermostat on the left side of the rear opening.

Test the thermal fuse

Pull off one of the two connectors from the thermal fuse.
Use pliers if the connector won’t pull off by hand.
Set a multimeter to continuity and touch the probes to the two thermal fuse terminals.
A good fuse shows a reading such as 0.00 to 0.02.
If the meter shows OL or open line, the fuse is open and needs replacement.
Remove the screw holding the fuse and slide the fuse up and to the left to remove it.

Address overheating if the thermal fuse is open

Assume an open thermal fuse was caused by overheating and plan to clean the dryer’s airflow path.
Clean the vent housing behind the dryer leading to the home vent outlet.
Clean the blower housing to the left of the thermal fuse and clean the lint filter area on top of the dryer.
Clean the blower wheel when the blower housing is removed.

Open the console to reach the start switch

Use a 1/4" nut driver to remove the screws from the back of the top console panel.
Remove about five screws on most models.
Locate the schematic sheet on the right side to confirm which wires belong to the start switch.
Insert a putty knife into the gap between the lid and console, then press hard to release the two metal spring clips.
Rock the console back and lay it flat on top of the dryer for testing.

Test the start switch with a multimeter

Set a multimeter to continuity and locate the start switch wires.
Test the two start switch terminals, which are often blue-to-blue, but confirm with the schematic sheet.
Touch the probes to the metal inside the wire connector housings without removing the harness if possible.
Press or twist the start switch and watch for the meter to change from OL to about 0.00 or 0.01.
If the reading changes on and off with the switch action, the start switch is working.

Close the console and reinstall rear panels

Insert the console hooks at the rear, then rock the console down until the metal clips snap into place.
Reinstall the console panel and the rear panel after finishing tests and cleaning.

Open the top and inspect the belt

Remove the lint filter.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws under the lint filter.
Caution: Don’t drop these screws into the blower housing or you may have to open the blower housing to retrieve them.
Slide a putty knife in the seam between the top and the front panel to release the two top clips.
If the clips won’t release, remove the 5/16 screws at the back near the top so the top and console can move forward and the hinges can be undone.
Inspect the belt and suspect a missing or badly damaged belt as a potential no-start cause.
Caution: Don’t rotate the drum using sharp openings in the drum, and use an inside baffle to turn it instead.

Test the door switch electrically

Set a multimeter to continuity and touch the probes to the white and blue wires on the door switch harness.
Press and release the door switch by hand and watch for the meter to beep or show low resistance.
If the meter doesn’t cycle to continuity, the door switch is bad internally.
Remove the two Phillips screws holding the door switch housing if the switch needs replacement.
Release the door switch harness by pressing the tab in and up with a flathead screwdriver or putty knife.
Older harness connectors can be much harder to separate, and a smaller screwdriver can help.

Remove the front panel to reach the drum and motor

Use a 5/16" nut driver to remove the left and right screws holding the front panel in place.
Caution: Hold a hand under each screw as it comes out because these screws like to fall.
Pull the front panel up, then pivot it toward the front to unhook it from the two bottom finger tabs.
Expect the drum to drop down and forward when the front panel is removed.

Remove the belt and inspect support parts

Push the idler pulley to the right to loosen the belt and slip the belt off the motor pulley.
For easier belt removal, push the belt forward on the motor pulley, then pull the idler slightly toward you.
Use the belt to help pull the drum out if the belt is intact.
Use the cabinet bulge area to remove the drum without scraping the sides.
Inspect the drum, the two roller wheels, the motor, the idler pulley, and the top bulkhead for damage.
Spin both roller wheels and the idler pulley to confirm they rotate freely without heavy resistance.

Test the motor windings with a multimeter

Use a multimeter to measure resistance between the white and light blue wires, then between the white and black wires.
A good motor typically reads between 2.4 and 3.8 ohms on either test.
Press the centrifugal switch on the motor housing to cycle it on and off during continuity-related checks.
Consult the tech sheet if the motor wiring configuration differs from this standard Whirlpool setup.

Reinstall the drum and route the belt

Use the belt to guide the drum back into place with the felt at the rear and the plastic front ring facing forward.
Set the drum onto the back of the bulkhead.
Support the drum with a 5-inch high box so it doesn’t fall while routing the belt.
Slot the left side of the idler pulley into the square hole in the chassis.
Pull the idler pulley to the right, loop the belt through the middle of the idler, and place the belt on the motor spindle.
Rotate the drum slowly to confirm the belt tracks correctly and the drum turns freely.
Remove the support box and any tools left under the drum before closing the dryer.

Reinstall the front panel and close the dryer

Hook the bottom squares of the front panel onto the chassis tabs while making sure the drum rests on the front bulkhead.
Press the front panel flush to the chassis, lift it, and rest it on the hooks, working one side at a time if needed.
Use a 5/16" nut driver to reinstall the screws in the door frame and confirm the black metal clips are aligned with the holes.
Hold a hand under each screw while installing it so you can catch it if it falls.
Reconnect the door switch wire harness.
Lower the top and confirm the front clips snap into place, then reinstall the two Phillips screws under the lint filter and reinstall the lint filter.

If the dryer still won’t start after the switch, fuse, belt, motor, and incoming power checks pass, keep tracing the circuit with the tech sheet before replacing additional parts. Once the dryer is reassembled, run a short cycle and confirm the drum starts normally with the door closed and all panels secured. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

«How to Troubleshoot a Whirlpool Dryer That Won't Start» — автор Ben Schlichter, iFixit, лицензия CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Показано без изменений. Открыть оригинал и комментарии →