Bought used dryer. Plugs don't match. Can cord be switched?

Page 10 of the instalation manual shows your wiring.
L1, L2 and neutral plus an earth.
https://www.searspartsdirect.com/installation-guide/3okpb1qgwe-003048/maytag-mde9700ayw-dryer-parts

Hi fiftyfootpap...
Go to the following webpage and you will see some pictures of how to wire your dryer.
Please take time to rate me

http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switch-outlet/dryer-circuit-wiring-and-hookup.php

Hello, carniekid I was trying to helpyou out here. I am not sure if this well help you, but here is a link to abouteverything you want to know about your dryer, from repair to trouble shootingit. If you go to this link and click around, I am sure you will find out so muchabout your dryer, you will know more that the company that made it. Here Is thelink for you to click onhttp://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-a-dryer.htmPlease if this helpedyou at all, if you can find the time to rate my help and some kind wordswritten would be appreciated for my free help , I would appreciate it. Here is also my direct link to my own pagesof other areas of my expertise for other problems you might have in Automotive,Appliance, and Electronics. Drop In anytime for my help. Thanks So Much, Mike http://beta.fixya.com/users/mc1bean

Hi fredmcmur227...

There are many different pattern plugs and recepticals.
It is impossible to tell you which power cord to buy.
What you will need to do is find out what the receptical for the dryer looks like and match the receptical with the power plug your going to purchase.
I will also include a link to show you how to hook up a 3 prong wire power plug.
Please take time to rate me

http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switch-outlet/dryer-circuit-wiring-and-hookup.php

If you are connecting a power cord with a 3-wire configuration, you match the corresponding wire colors from the power cord to the wires on the terminal block in the back of the dryer. The correct color-code is as follows:

RED - HOT (120VAC)
BLACK - HOT (120VAC)
WHITE - NEUTRAL (0VAC)*

*There should be a ground strap or ground wire connected to neutral at the terminal block in a 3-wire configuration.

NOTE: If the wires are not color-coded, the outer two wires (Left and Right) are the HOT leads. The center conductor is Neutral.

If you have any questions, you can refer to this link for further explanation:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3575913-installing_a_220_vac_appliance_cord

This explains the difference in 4-wire and 3-wire configurations. I hope this helps you.

4 PRONG PLUG WIRING: 2 HOTS(RED&BLACK) 1 NEUTRAL(WHITE) 1 GROUND(GREEN). 3 PRONG PLUG WIRING: 2 HOTS&1 NEUTRAL. YOU MUST USE 2 HOTS & 1 NEUTRAL ON A 3 WIRE PLUG. THE GROUND WIRE(GREEN) WHICH IS HOOKED TO FRAME OF THE DRYER IS NOT USED ON OLDER 3 WIRE PLUGS. IT IS AN ADDITIONAL SAFTEY GROUND ON NEWER MODEL 4 WIRE PLUGS.

Electric Dryer How To Hook Up Cord For Three Prong Cords
the Center cord wire goes on the center terminal,
the left on the left ,
and the right on the right.

Note: There should be a ground strap or wire that runs from the center terminal to the dryer case.

For Four Prong Cords
the White cord wire goes in the center,
the Red on the Right,
the Black on the Left.
The green cord wire goes to the case or the external ground screw.

Note: Be sure to disconnect the ground wire or strap that runs from the center terminal to the case. In this Photo (A Whirlpool Dryer) I have ran the wire that runs from the center terminal, the Light Green wire, back to itself rather than cutting it off, just incase I need to put a 3 prong cord back on it some day. The whole purpose of this 3 prong / 4 prong thing is it separates the neutral from the ground. 3 Prong Cord Whirlpool Dryer Example 4 Prong Cord Whirlpool Dryer Example

The instructions tell you how to do it.. Watch you tube video about it like all tech guys and girls do...

You can take off the cord and put a three prong plug for the dryer it will come with 4 wire that connect to the dryer the one that is not coded is the ground wire. when you take off the one you have now it should have a ground connected to it. Or you can get a new receptical to match the one you have now but it would be more expensive. Hope this helped. If not let us know and thankyou for asking.

Inside the dryer on the bottom right corner.