Whirlpool Dryer Repair - How to Replace the Heating Element (Whirlpool # WP3387747)

[@billharmon2051]

Dude. This saved me so much time!!! Thank you so much. I had watched a different video of a whirlpool heating element, but the back did not come off the way it showed. I knew something was wrong. UGH. I slowed down and watched this video and it was EXACTLY as you described. Had I not watched this, I would have stripped out the receiver lip in back. One suggestion: I always test the electronic components before replacing blindly. So, I tested both thermostats and the heating element. Luckily, mine was just the heating element. But, it would be very disheartening to replace a heating element and find out later it was the thermostat too. I hope that might help someone in the future. Thanks again!!!!

[@gaffinfool]

I did the same as you. Bought the full kit off the 'Zon for ~$35. Saw that everything works off of resistance, so after watching the video to get the housing out (GREAT VIDEO BTW!!) I tested each limit switch and the coil, comparing to what the new parts were reading, and found my high limit was the actual issue. Went ahead and changed out all 3 parts since I was in there, 5 minutes later I'm making heat again. Love this old dryer, and it looks like I can keep it another 15 years now!

[@nicksGLI]

Thanks. Saved me a bundle!

[@mattkane1080]

This was so helpful!! Thank you!

[@allcav3607]

What does the wiring diagram look like for the element

[@TheSyphonfilter123]

I'm also trying to figure this out, any one find anything out there? I was foolish to not take a picture before!

[@jaber4life]

Why did you guys redo the original video for this part but cut out everything shown close up? Lol

[@snewman1638]

You said to rotate it clockwise to put the heater housing back in, and you demonstrated rotating it clockwise, but when you actually put it in, you rotated it counter-clockwise

[@fiveharts]

Helpful vid - except for the part about using a putty knife to release 'spring clips' on lower front panel. I took my putty knife and worked at this for around 30 minutes - and also started using a screwdriver to help pry seeing as how I was having SO much trouble getting it. I noticed how much I was marring & chipping up the finish! After I had to back away to let my frustration subside - I discovered then that the panel on mine had two 1/4" hex-head screws on the bottom which had to be removed!!!! And it was just those two screws to release it. )o:

[@laurieambrose7316]

My dryer doesn't have a front panel to open?

[@humanpowered1]

What is not discusssd is how the heating element housing has a tab at the back that makes reinstalling the housing (with element) extremely tricky. Its not a locking mechanism I've ever seen before. The tab looks like it would lock into a slot at the back of the dryer, or bolt into something (it has a hole in it for no reason). But theres no slot or hole at the back. So the tab just kind of sneaks in behind the protruding outtake hole in the back somewhere around the 10 oclock position. Youve got to find just the right place to hook it in, then with some pressure and force you push and twist the whole assembly clockwise. You are super lucky if you get the tab hooked behind the protruding exhaust hole the first time you try it. Its quite the battle. I found it impossible to do with the mounting bracket for the front of the housing attached. Its too tight in the space and the mounting bracket prevented me from finding the perfect angle to hook the tab in the back. So I plugged everyging in, struggled and struggled to hook the housing, did it, then installed the mounting bracket as the last move. The video helped, but like all videos done by the expert reps, it completely glosses over the tricky and challenging bits. Not recommended fix for folks who dont want to squirm around on the ground (guy did it on his knees, lol!).

[@terryfonz4603]

Thank you for this but you should really have a light shining under there and camera inside that panel to see what we are looking at

[@charlessaxton6653]

Useless