Getting Inside Your Dryer

by Murray Anderson

If you're going to trouble shoot or do some repairs on your dryer (either gas or electric) you'll need to open it up to get access to its 'workings'. Here's some general instructions that will work with most dryers outlining how to get into your dryer. Your owner's manual or the internet may provide more detail on your specific make and model.

Start with the top console

First unplug your dryer (and if you're working on a gas dryer turn off the gas supply – have a professional do it if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself). Next loosen the top console by removing the top screws (often hidden under an adhesive trim piece along the bottom of the console). Lay a towel down on top of the dryer and place the console face down on the towel.

Raising the top

On dryers that have a top mounted lint screen, start by pulling out the screen and removing the screws in the front edge of the screen opening. The top itself is held in place with two hidden spring clips, one at each corner. You can release them using a stiff bladed putty knife covered with masking tape (to protect the dryer's finish). Simply insert the blade about two inches from the front corners and push in to release the clips holding the top in place. The top is usually hinged at the back so you can raise it upright.

Removing the back panel and front toe panel

First disconnect the exhaust duct attached to the back outlet. Commonly dryers have a single large back panel, so after removing the exhaust duct simply undo the screws holding it in place. If your dryer has two or three pieces forming the back panel, simply remove the screws holding them ion place.

Front toe plate

The front toe panel can either be held in place with screws that can simply be removed or by a hidden clip similar to the top. Inserting your putty knife near the center of the top of the toe plate then pushing in should release the clip.

Opening the front

If you've opened the top, back and toe plate you should have enough access to do most trouble shooting or repairs, however, if you do need to actually remove the front panel, be sure to put a couple of bricks or blocks of wood under the drum to support it before doing anything else.
To remove the front, find and remove the screws or clips holding it in place and remove or release them. Now undo the wire module between the body of the dryer and the door switch and you should be able to lift the front right off. Once the front's off you have access to the drive belt, the idler pulley, gas valves as well as fuses and electrical connections.

Testing the electrical components

Testing the electrical components of your dryer requires a multimeter to verify whether the components are continuous (and can carry electricity). A light switch provides a good example - when the switch is on the circuit is continuous and the light goes on. Turning the switch off opens the circuit (not continuous) so the light goes off, A circuit must be closed to carry electricity.
To test for continuity, turn your multimeter to the Ohm (Ώ) setting (if there is more than one Ohm setting set the tester to X1.
When the multimeter probes aren't touching anything, the tester will have a reading of infinity or 0 telling you the circuit is open. Touch the two probes together (closing the circuit) and the reading will change to 1, showing you the circuit is closed and can carry electricity.
To test a switch in your dryer, place a multimeter probe on each pole of the switch and turn the switch on. If it's working the tester should move from being open to being closed, if it doesn't change, the switch needs to be replaced. Similarly to test an electric motor, touch a probe to each pole and check for continuity. The motor won't work if it's circuitry isn't continuous.

Note: Never test for continuity when an appliance is plugged in. Always unplug the appliance before try to test continuity.