Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Is your clothes dryer not heating at all? If this is the case, it is likely that you need to replace the thermal fuse. Here is how to do it yourself.
Clothes dryers have a device called a thermal fuse to prevent them from becoming dangerously overheated if something goes awry, such as a blockage in the dryer vent or the blower motor becoming locked-up.
If the dryer begins to overheat, the thermal fuse kicks out and, depending upon the model, will either shut down the dryer entirely or will shut off the heat to the tumbler.
Unplug the power to the dryer. The thermal fuse is usually located in the back cover panel or the vent duct collar. Remove the dryer’s back panel and find a group of wires in the area where the hot air is vented. Near those wires, locate a small—probably white--plastic part that has two wires attached to it. This is the thermal fuse.
Before replacing it, check for any blockages and to make sure the blower wheel is operating properly so that the new fuse you install doesn’t blow out for the same reason.
