Whirlpool Duet Gas Dryer – How to Replace Thermal Fuse and Gas Valve Coils

SCOPE

Thermal fuse and gas valve coils work together to produce heat. Gas coil’s job is to either turn on or off the supply of natural gas to the dryer. Thermal fuse’s job is to alert the central computer to turn off the unit when there is excess heat.

I will show you how how I replaced my thermal fuse, thermistor and gas valve coils a Whirlpool Duet gas dryer (Model # GGW9250SU0).

What is a Thermistor?
Thermistor’s job is to provide temperature readout to the dryer’s computer; thermal fuse’s job is to break the circuit if the dryer exceeds the specified maximum heat range. Thermistor is sturdier than a thermal fuse but because it is relatively inexpensive, I like to replace thermistor at the same time.

REQUIRED TOOLS

• Screw drivers – Small and medium sized Phillips and Flat-head
• Mini sockets and a ratchet – 1/4″ socket + mini ratchet (Don’t have one? Pick up one of these (SATA 25-Piece Ratcheting Stubby Screwdriver Set – ST09342SJ);
• Phillips drill bit
• Disposable baby wipes – Don’t laugh; you can clean some amazingly tight spaces with baby wipes and a stick!

REQUIRED PARTS

If at all possible, I recommend purchasing extra thermal fuses as they don’t last.

Part #	Desc	Check Latest Prices
3392519	Thermal Fuse, Whirlpool	Whirlpool OEM ThermoFuse
279834	Gas Coil Valves, Whirlpool or FSP	Whirlpool OEM Dryer Gas Valve Coils (2 pack)
85277274	Thermistor, Whirlpool	Whirlpool Dryer Thermistor OEM
697770	Blower Cover Plate Seal	Whirlpool Duet Gas Dryer Door Seal Foam OEM

REPAIR STEPS – THERMAL FUSE AND THERMISTOR

• STEP # 1 – Unplug the dryer from the power source;
• STEP # 2 – Shutoff the gas supply;
• STEP # 3 – Remove the toe kick panel (Fig. 1) to access sensors (Use 1/4″ socket + ratchet to remove two small sheet metal screws);

• STEP # 4 – There is a folded Service Technician Instruction Guide. Set it aside;
• STEP # 5 – Locate the thermistor; mark on the thermistor to indicate which post connects to black and red wires; disconnect wires;
• STEP # 6 – Locate the thermal fuse; apply a small black tape on one of the red wires; mark on the thermal fuse to indicate which post connects to red wire with black tape; disconnect wires;

• STEP # 7 – Using a 1/4″ socket, remove total of 3 sheet metal screws (1 for the thermal fuse and 2 for the thermistor);
• STEP # 8 – Install a new thermal fuse and thermistor and re-attach all wires, using the previous markings as a template;

REPAIR STEPS – GAS VALVE COILS

Both gas coils look virtually identical with 3 exceptions:

• First gas coil (located nearest to the toe kick panel) has a metal sleeve;
• First gas coil has part number markings;
• First gas coil has 3 prongs;

Please note that you will also need to RE-USE the metal sleeve.

• STEP # 1 – Mark and draw all wiring positions BEFORE disconnecting them from the gas valve coils; since there are two set of wiring harnesses, I applied a small black piece of tape on the front set of wires;

• STEP # 2 – Note that the wiring connector is held down by a small plastic tab. Use a small flat head screw driver to gently pry them off the tab;

• STEP # 3 – There is a metal bracket, over the gas valve coils, held down by one Phillips screw. I used a Phillips screw bit with 1/4″ socket to remove it (Fig. 6 & 7);

STEP # 4 – Gently remove the cover bracket and set it aside;

STEP # 5 – Remove gas valve coils by gently sliding them up from metal posts (Fig. 10);

STEP # 6 – Transfer the metal sleeve (Fig. 11) from an old gas coil with 3 prongs to a metal post for 3 prong gas coil (I used a plastic pen innards to reduce the chance of scratching the inside of gas coils);

STEP # 7 – Install new gas coils, remembering to install correct gas coils into proper metal posts;

STEP # 8 – Re-install the gas valve coil cover bracket and re-attach 2 wiring harnesses;

GENERAL CLEAN-UP STEPS

With the panel off, I wanted to take this opportunity to clean the blower motor caked with hair and dust.

• • STEP # 1 – Remove the lint screen;

• • STEP # 2 – Using the same 1/4″ socket, remove 3 sheet metal screws to take the blower cover off;
    • In Fig. 17, note the flat metal clip which holds the lint screen tightly in place;
    • Fig. 18 shoes the inside of the blower cover with lots of lint and other junk;

• • STEP # 3 – Using (wet) baby wipes, a replacement mini hacksaw blade (to clean between fan blades) and vacuum, get the gunk off (Fig. 19 & 20);
  • STEP # 4 – The circular foam is probably shot and will need to be replaced.
    • STEP # 4a – Take a Sharpie pen and trace around the foam circle;
    • STEP # 4b – Using a metal 2″ putty knife, carefully scrape off the foam;
    • STEP # 4c – Use Windex and paper towel to clean off any glue residue (try not to erase the mark);
    • STEP # 4d – Use wet wipes to clean off all residue & let it dry for few min;
    • STEP # 4e – Apply the new replacement blower cover foam seal;

• • STEP # 5 – Again using (wet) baby wipes, clean the lint grill area (Fig. 21);

• • STEP # 6 – Re-install the blower cover;
  • STEP # 7 – Time to check. Plug in the dryer, turn on the gas supply and start the drying cycle (keep your distance). You should see a flame kick in and stay on for more than 20 seconds;
  • STEP # 8 – Turn off the dryer;
  • STEP # 9 – Re-install the toe kick panel;
  • STEP # 10 – Place some wet clothes in the dryer for a test runs

LAST WORDS

I had some ridiculous repair estimates (anything from $200 to $500) to get my Whirlpool Duet gas dryer repaired. Not only that, my previous experience with incompetent repair technicians in the past made me very weary these so called “experts”.

With little more than $50 in parts and plenty of patience, I was able to get the job done correctly the very first time and saved a lot of money.

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REFERENCE LINKS

• Whirlpool Duet Gas Dryer (Covers Models GGW9200L & GEW9200L) – Service Manual
• Whirlpool Duet Sport Gas/Electric Dryer (Covers Models WED8300SW, WED8500SR, WGD8300SW & WGD8500SR) – Service Manual