Wiring Diagram For A Whirlpool Dryer

Reading a wiring diagram for a Whirlpool dryer can seem intimidating at first, but with a little time and effort, you can easily understand the diagram and use it to troubleshoot and repair your dryer. To make things easier, let’s break the process down into smaller steps.

Step 1: Understand the Color Codes

The most important part of understanding a wiring diagram is familiarizing yourself with the color codes that are used. Every type of Whirlpool dryer uses different colors to denote different things, so it is important to know what each color stands for in order to make sense of the diagram. The most common color codes for Whirlpool dryers are Red (hot), Black (ground), Blue (neutral), White (switch leg), Green (ground) and Yellow (heating element).

Step 2: Wire the Power Cord

Once you’ve become familiar with the color codes, the next step is wiring the power cord to the dryer. The power cord is usually connected to the rear of the dryer and contains three wires – black, white, and green. Make sure that you connect the wires to the correct terminals, as a mistake here could potentially cause damage to the dryer or even start a fire. The black and white wires should be connected to the hot and neutral terminals, while the green wire should be connected to the ground terminal.

Step 3: Interpret the Symbols

The symbols on the wiring diagram can look confusing at first, but they actually tell you a lot about how the dryer is wired. Some of the symbols you may come across include circles, squares, lines, arrows, and numbers. These symbols typically indicate connections between the different components of the dryer, such as the motor, heating element, and timer. Knowing what each symbol means will help you make sense of the wiring diagram and will be essential when troubleshooting the dryer.

Step 4: Find a Wiring Diagram

The best place to find a wiring diagram for a Whirlpool dryer is on the manufacturer’s website. Most manufacturers provide a detailed diagram that you can download and print out for reference. It is important to note that there may be different diagrams for gas and electric models, so make sure to choose the one that matches your dryer.

Step 5: Test the Heating Element

If your dryer is not heating up properly, it is possible that the heating element may be faulty. To test the heating element, you will need a multimeter. Start by disconnecting the power to the dryer and then use the multimeter to measure the continuity between the two terminals on the heating element. If the reading is low or there is no reading at all, then the heating element needs to be replaced.

Step 6: Troubleshoot the Dryer

If your dryer is not starting, then it may be due to a few different issues. First, make sure that the power is connected properly and that the power switch is in the “on” position. If the power is connected properly and the switch is in the “on” position, then it is possible that the timer or start switch may be faulty. If this is the case, then you will need to replace these parts in order to get the dryer working again. In conclusion, reading a wiring diagram for a Whirlpool dryer can seem intimidating, but with a little knowledge and patience, you can learn how to interpret the diagram and use it to troubleshoot and repair your dryer. By familiarizing yourself with the color codes and symbols on the diagram, wiring the power cord, and testing the heating element, you can have your dryer up and running in no time.