electric dryer begins to heat, then stops

Hello, I have an older Hotpoint electric dryer that had been working fine until today. The clothes were not drying, and at first I suspected the heating coil. So I ordered a new one. Then i went and disassembled the dryer, only to find out that the coils are fine (checked continuity, and "ran" dryer without the drum and the coils heated up fine).

So, while I had everything apart, i cleaned up the lint etc. and reassembled. Well, while holding the door switch so I could look inside, I restarted, and sure enought the coil heated up. But after maybe a couple of minutes it stopped heating.

So, disassembled again, and checked the thermostats, both the one closest to the coils and the one in the dryer door. Both checked out okay (i.e. current flowed through both of them). I looked for the thermal fuse, but didn't see it directly--there was another "sensor" or what looked like one near the coils (and near the other thermostat by the coils).

I'm not sure what to check next. Do thermostats go bad but still show continuity? Could it actually be the coils? If not, I need to cancel my order and purchase the correct part. I just don't see buying another dryer just yet if a $20 part will fix the problem.

Thanks for any help with this.

(oh, the dryer is a Hotpoint as mentioned, model number DLB1550BRL--which is too old to have any info on GE's parts site).

Jeff

 

Yeah, I got em too. My dryer will not shut off and stays hot even on damp dry. The sensors on the dryer can be tested with an ohm meter. One by the heater coil isprobably the high limit thermostat. I also have a control thermostat that is probably supposed to turn off the heater element when the cloths are dry and I have a cool down thermostat that is probably supposed to shut off the dryer when it has cooled down. Is there a wiring schematic anywhere on your dryer. Check on the back cover or the back of the control panel. My dryer does not have a timer to shut it off. I posted a thread on my Maytag De606 under upstairsdave. Let me know if I can help.
Dave

 

Hey,
You could have a weak thermostat.Put a stick thermometer right next to the thermostat and see what temperature it opens up at.Check that reading with the temp stamped or printed on the thermostat.