Question about Whirlpool WED5100SQ Front-Load Electric Dryer

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When I run our electric dryer on either high or low heat, there is a distinctive smell of overheating. I have had the heating element tested for continuity/resistance and it appears fine. I have also replaced two parts not directly connected to the heating element but that didn't fix the problem. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.

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Have you checked your airflow vent hose to see if it is obstructed in any way causing it to overheat?

Posted on Jan 05, 2010

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2 Answers

Dryer runs but doesn't heat.
The high and Low thermostatic limit switches must be in working order for the heating element to get power to operate. High limit opens in the event of a overheat condition to cut off the heating element. The low limit cuts on and off to control normal operation of the heating element for a more or less constant heat for drying.

Mar 18, 2014 | Kenmore Elite HE4 Electric Dryer

1 Answer

No heat in dryer mode
In electric dryers, heat is generated by the heating element. The element is a coil of heating wire enclosed in a metal chamber. Electric current flowing through the coil creates heat and the air being pulled through the chamber absorbs this heat. If the element is defective then it will not heat. It can be tested with a multi-meter for continuity. Unplug the dryer and remove the front or rear panel to locate the element so it can be tested.
The high limit thermostat is a safety device mounted on the heating chamber and is designed to prevent the dryer from overheating when the exhaust vent is restricted. A restricted vent will cause the high limit thermostat to trip or activate, interrupting the circuit to the heating element or gas valve. The high limit thermostat is not designed to activate repeatedly like a cycling thermostat and will eventually fail causing a no heat symptom. Disconnect the power to the dryer and check the thermostat for continuity with a multi-meter. If there is no continuity then it will need to be replaced and the restricted vent system corrected as well.
Cycling thermostats control the temperature inside the dryer drum. They are designed to "cycle" the heating element on and off to maintain the correct amount of heat. Cycling thermostats are normally located on the blower housing or elsewhere in the internal airflow ducting. Over time, the cycling thermostat can become defective. Disconnect the power to the dryer and check the thermostat for continuity with a multi-meter.

Dec 02, 2013 | Splendide 2100 Vented Washer-Dryer

1 Answer

I have a Maytag Halo-of-heat dryer model DE406. It wont shut off on its own. I have used it for months like this being sure to manually stop it, but now it seems to be overheating. I can smell a slight...
Sounds like heating element is grounded out if it's still actively glowing after opening door.

Nov 20, 2017 | Dryers

1 Answer

Our Bosch Ventless AXXIS Dryer system is overheating causing the sensor to sound. It is not drying properly either. Can you troubleshoot??
Overheating is most probably caused by low air flow past the heating element. High air flow would not allow the air to overheat. Check to be sure the fan is rotatingn freely and then check the heating element/wires for dirt or other obstructions. We were having "burning" problems that were revealed to be an errant latex glove that excaped from my wife's pants pocket during an earlier drying cycle. When it hit the elements, it began to cause a scortching smell and partially melted. In this instance, the air flow about the element was restricted and the reamining air overheated and the sensor sounded. When the sensor sounds, heating ceases and you will get non-uniform drying. I picked off the pieces of the glove from the wires and except for an unrelated drive belt breaking, we have not had problems.

Jan 22, 2011 | Bosch Axxis WTA 3510 Electric Dryer

1 Answer

Heating element replaced. Worked one load and back or dryer seemed very hot. Turned off and later ran on low. Next load no heat.
Hi.

There is either a problem with the thermostats that turn off the heating element, or the heating element is plugged (elements has contact to ground and stays always on).

Heating element and thermostats are tested reading Ohms with a multimeter set at Rx1. If the circuit is open (Ohms stay infinite), then the part is defective.

If the machine overheated, then the element may be gone again. Test reading Ohms.

Also replace the thermostats (there should be two or three of them), unless the element had a contact, the most common cause for overheating is a shorted thermostat.

Aug 04, 2010 | EuroTech EDC158 Electric Dryer

1 Answer

Dryer powers up but won't start - smell of electrical burning. Is it the motor bushes? zanussi TC7103W
Electric dryers usually have a motor with a switch that prevents the heating element from being powered until the motor is spinning. In series with this are limit switches to prevent overheating if there is too much lint or too little air flow around the heating element. Also, the motors are induction or brushless. So the smell is coming from the heating element burning off some lint nearby as it reaches the high limit temperature and shuts off. This can be due to two conditions if we can assume the motor is running (has a switch that is closing to power the heating element). The most likely condition is that the drive belt is off the pulley or broken and the drum is not turning. You will be able to tell this easily by sounds or by opening the door to see the drum slowing down. If that's not it, examine the blower which forces air through the drum. There are a lot of variations, so look for air intake and drum exhaust ports that can be clogged with a sock, lint, etc.

Dec 12, 2009 | Zanussi TC7114W Electric Dryer

1 Answer

Hotpoint tdl52 no heat, element changed, but still will not heat
Check your all fuses that are suppose to protect your element. should have a high and low limit fuse

Aug 23, 2009 | Dryers

1 Answer

Crosley CDE6500AZW heating, but drum not rolling
OK Here is what I think happened. I have heard of this before. You melted a wheel and that broke the belt. This is a simple dryer to repair and parts are not that much. Well worth fixing. Start by popping the top remove the front then get the drum out and inspect the damage.
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If you need further help, reach me via phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/dan_73bbd84fe1d95b61

Mar 01, 2009 | Crosley CDE6000 Electric Dryer

1 Answer

Kenmore elite HE4 electric dryer
If this is a Kenmore Elite front loader, taking the back off isn't going to tell you much. The heating element is inside the dryer under the drum on the right hand side. More than likely you have an accumulation of lint on the heating element housing and its beginning to smolder. Running the dryer on low will not change the fact that you have lint in close proximity to a glowing element. It will still burn. Here is a link you can look at that gives you some advice on dryers:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r385301-thorough_dryer_advice

You will need to unplug the dryer and remove the lower panel under the door to gain access to the heating circuits. If you have lint backing up into the dryer, you need to investigate why. If its been a while since you've inspected your dryer ventilation ducting, it would probably be a good idea to do so. Everything is in the link I provided for you. I hope this helps.

PS Conitued running of a dryer in this condition can cause the heating circuits to overheat and fail and/or cause a fire.

Jul 12, 2008 | Kenmore Elite HE4 Electric Dryer

3 Answers

Dryer burning smell
Have you painted or stained in your house or apartment recently? The smell gets everywhere, dryer, stove, heating unit. I recently primed with Kilz and the clothes from my dryer smelled burned. When I called for service, it was the first question the service person asked and said they made a lot of useless trips only to find nothing wrong with the appliance. That was my case. I had to rewash clothes and let the dryer run with towels for a while

Jan 22, 2008 | Dryers

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