The back story… I noticed my dryer heating cloths very hot. Eventually the dryer stopped working completely. I brought in a few parts and ended up replacing the fuse and the pair of thermostats. Now my dryer turns on, but whenever the timer is in any position other than off, the heating element is on. I can hear it turn on, and even when the door is open it is on. I am not exactly sure on where to start troubleshooting this. If I could get some help on where to start looking or taking continuity readings, it would be very much appreciated.
denman said:
Here are your parts
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/modelsearch.aspx?model=WED5820SW0Sounds like you have a grounded element.
Check the heating coil.
Unplug the unit and both wires to the coil.
Check it with a meter, should be around 10 to 12 ohms.
Then check from each side of the coil to the case/frame, both should be infinite ohms (open). If not the coil may have sagged or broken and is touching the case. This can cause it to run on high and the thermostats cannot regulate it so the thermal cut-off blows.
I did as you suggested and here is what I got. I am thinking it is bad, but just want to make sure I did the readings correctly. I unplugged the 2 wires to the coil. I got a reading of 10.2 from those 2 connections. From there i took a reading from those same connections to the case. One was at 7.2 and the other was at 3.5. So with that being said, it looks like I will be getting a new coil.
Sounds like you did it correctly and that the coil is indeed grounded so it needs replacing.