How to Repair a Kenmore Dryer that Overheats

If your dryer seems like it’s heating at one temperature and that temperature has been charring your clothes, there is a high probability that the heating element has shorted out and needs to be replaced.

Tools Needed

• Putty knife
• ¼ inch socket
• ¼ inch nut driver
• Multimeter

How to Gain Access to the Heating Element

• Slide the putty knife between the top of the lower panel and the bottom of the top panel.
• Release two tabs by prying in a downward fashion located about 4-inches from each side.
• Remove the lint screen.
• Remove ¼ inch screws that secure the blower duct in place.
• Set the multimeter to ohms to check continuity.
• Remove the two wires that connect to the heating element located to the left of the blower duct.
• With your multimeter place one probe on either terminal and ground the other probe.
• If the meter shows continuity from either terminal, the element has shorted out and will need to be replaced.

How to Remove and Replace the Heating Element

• Remove the two connecting wires from the heating element (this should have been completed in the last section).
• With the ¼ inch nut driver, remove the bracket that protects the heating element. Remember to remove a screw hidden from view, located mid-way, under the bracket.
• The last screw to remove is located just behind the two terminals.
• Remove the bracket and set aside.
• Slide the old heating element out of its cavity and prepare to slide the new one in place.
• Follow these detailed instructions in reverse order to seal up the dryer.