Proper Operation
Learn how your appliance is supposed to operate so you can determine if it is malfunctioning.



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Replacing the Thermal Fuse

The thermal fuse or fuseable link resides on the exhaust duct and will become a permanent open circuit if the exhaust temperature exceeds its design limit for several minutes.

Fuse

This is a closeup view of the fuseable link or thermal fuse:

Fuse closeup

If you want to check the thermal fuse, follow this procedure:

Procedures for Checking and Replacing Thermal Fuse

  1. Disconnect the power cord and move the dryer far enough away from the wall that you can disconnect the dryer vent hose.
  2. Remove the 5/16" sheet metal screws securing the rear access panel. Save the top, middle screw for last. Set the panel aside.
  3. Locate the thermal fuse on the exhaust vent. It will have a white plastic case and will be shaped like a thermstat or be rectangular.
  4. Remove one of the two leads on the fuse and use an ohmmeter to measure the resistance across the two leads. If the ohmmeter reads one or two ohms, the fuse is OK. If the fuse shows open (meter doesn't move), the fuse should be replaced.
  5. Use the appliance model number to order a replacement.
  6. Replace the thermal fuse (it does not matter which of the two terminals each wire attached to).
  7. Replace the rear access panel and check for proper operation.