My whirlpool dryer will not shut off and it will not heat what could this be?

Question

my whirlpool dryer is electric will not shut off by timer and is not drying

Answer 1

If you are using the dryer in the automatic setting rather than the timer setting I have a possible reason. In the automatic setting, the timer relies on a thermostat to advance the timer. If the thermostat is not working, the dryer will run and run waiting for input from the thermostat. The thermostat operates by way of a bi-metal. At the proper temperature, the thermostat will cycle, allow power to go to the timer to advance it. While the thermostat is cycling, the element is turned off for a short time. When the right lower temperature is reached, the thermostat will click again, turning the element on. Its a repeating cycle until the timer is at the end and shuts the dryer off.

Try the dryer in the regular timed cycle (minutes). If it works just fine, its probably that particular thermostat (there are usually 3-4 thermostats in a dryer depending on amount of features). If the dryer timer advances but still does not heat, you are looking at either a power issue (240 volts) as in a breaker blown/burned wire, or possibly the element.

Drop me a line if you need further advice.

Hope it helps!