Fixing the Dryer

There is always work to be done around the house. It seems we just get holiday decorations up and it is time to take them down again and put up the next holiday decorations. Filters need to be changed, maintenance, cleaning, and repairs are a never ending routine.

A new routine seems to be the repair of our washer and dryer. Six months ago I installed a new control arm and belt for the dryer. Three months ago the washer received a new pump. And this month the dryer stopped working again. Specifically, my Whirpool Duet dryer would turn on but would not start spinning the drum.

I unplugged the dryer and then took the cover off to access the main board.

Next, I checked the main board to make sure it was OK.

The board was OK, so next was to follow the circuit down to the motor. My fear was that the motor was bad, which would be expensive. Along the way to the motor there are two thermal fuses.

The first tested fine but the second test failed. I verified it by bypassing the fuse and the dryer was able to start fine.

I could have ordered a new fuse online for $2.50, but my wife wanted it fixed right away. So, a trip to a local appliance store and the $2.50 fuse cost me $16 - what a rip off!

While I had the dryer torn apart, I took the opportunity to vacuum out the dryer.  

You should vacuum the dryer regularly to avoid a lint fire inside the dryer. 

The dryer is reassembled and back to working.