Models > WED4870BW0 > Instructions

WED4870BW0 Whirlpool Dryer - Instructions

All Instructions for the WED4870BW0
1 - 15 of 1637
Keep searches simple. Use keywords, e.g. "leaking", "pump", "broken" or "fit".
Dryer was working, but no heat.
First I unplugged the dryer, then removed the back panel, this exposed most all of the wiring and I could see the heater coils.
Not knowing what the problem was I started looking at the coils and could not see any broken parts.
So then checked the thermal fuse for continuity I removed the two wires from it with a small pair of needle nose pliers, it was held in place by two screws, once they were removed the fuse came out easily, I checked continuity with a volt meter placing the meter on X1 Ohms and could not get a reading.
I replaced with a new one and put it all back together the way I took it apart.
Then I plugged it in and it worked first time, I now have warm dry clothes.
Parts Used:
Dryer Thermal Fuse
  • ANTHONY from CHESHIRE, CT
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers
2965 of 3338 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
Dryer motor runs, but no heat
To reach the heating element you only need to open the back cover of the dryer (about 8 nut-head screws). Remember to disconnect the power.

To remove the heating element there are two small nut-head screws. Remove the two electric wires. Then you can pull the heating element away.

You can check the heating element with an ohm-meter or visually inspect it to see if the heating element spiral wire is broken.

Don't hurry to dispose the old element. My model includes a small electric safety part. You'll need to transfer it to the new heating element (that comes without it)..

Good luck.
Parts Used:
Heating Element - 240V 5400W
  • Gadi from Irvine, CA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
2256 of 2437 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
door switch was bad
i was able to go on line with your company , find my dryer, order the part and had it the next day. fast , great , service
Parts Used:
Dryer Door Switch
  • pat from lisbon,, OH
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers, Wrench set
1017 of 1063 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
No Heat
First tried heating element and thermal fuse with no luck. Ordered thermal cutoff and fixed problem. Had I used an ohm meter first I would have determined problem before having ordered heating element and fuse, as both had resistance. I wast just lazy and ordered the took the most common failed components first before taking dryer back off.
Parts Used:
Thermal Cut-Off Kit
  • Vernon from Niceville, FL
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
886 of 949 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
No heat but would run otherwise
Cleaning the lint out of the whole machine took quite a bit of time--it was everywhere. Underneath the lint trap was a collection that ultimately ruined the thermal fuse where it restricted the air flow considerably.

Ascertaining the problem was the most time consuming part.

The actual repair was quite simple and didn't take but 15-20 minutes.
Parts Used:
Dryer Thermal Fuse
  • Dana from Grassvally, CA
  • Difficulty Level:
    A Bit Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    More than 2 hours
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers
876 of 948 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
Dryer would run with no heat.
The repair was easy. the most time consuming part was vacuuming the dust from the back of the Dryer, The repair required removing screw from the back panel of the dryer. Then removing screws from the heating element and unplugging the wires. The only moderately diffculy part was swapping the sensor form the old element.
Parts Used:
Heating Element - 240V 5400W
  • Remie from Mahopac, NY
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
694 of 724 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
Dryer would take forever to dry clothes, even on high setting
I ordered all the thermal sensors for the dryer. They arrived two days later and they were the correct parts. It took me about 1/2 hour to replace all three sensors and now the dryer works like new again. My wife was very pleased, so was I.
Parts Used:
Dryer High Limit Thermostat Dryer Cycling Thermostat Thermal Cut-Off Kit
  • John from Indianapolis, IN
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
650 of 833 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
Dryer Would Not Turn Off With Door Open
Pryed dryer top open and opened front door. . Unscrewed the 2 retaining screws. Pulled old switch from the wiring harness. Put new switch in place and replaced the retaining screws. Put new switch wire plug into the wiring harness. Before closing top, checked door switch function with dryer on. Dryer cut off when door open and when closed dryer started normally. . . Maint. Note instruction book should warn that letting door slam, which I did on occaision, broke the switch arm. Might save future problems.
Parts Used:
Dryer Door Switch
  • RICHARD from NORCROSS, GA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
565 of 580 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
No heat for dryer
Moved dryer from wall,disconnected power. Unscrewed the 12+ sheet metal screws holding on the back cover. Located heating element, remover it's two sheet metal screws and pulled down on the element to remove. Disconnected the two electrical leads from element and went to the top of Dryer. Do not remiember if told to remove the tempture kill button was easy to see that it was needed on new element. Moved high tempeture senson to new element. Reversed steps to install new element. Replaced back cover, pluged in and powered up. Works like a champ. Thanks for the price on the part and the video which started me on the right track. I'll be back !!
Parts Used:
Heating Element - 240V 5400W
  • Leslie from Dallas, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Pliers
496 of 519 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
heating coil was'nt heating up and after i change the coil realize the little thermal regulator had to also be change.
I basically took the back offo the drive, then detach
the heating coil. Afterwards had to go back in and
change the thermal regulator an the job was completed.
Parts Used:
Thermal Cut-Off Kit
  • Rube from Houston, TX
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Wrench set
450 of 480 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
Dryer will not turn on
Followed electrical drawing from switch to motor, Thermal fuse was in the line and no power coming through it, removed wire and put together and tested, dryer turned on. Read statements from others at parts select and also bought thermostat because time stopped working last year. Installed both parts and cleaned dryer, works perfect including timer.
Parts Used:
Dryer Thermal Fuse Dryer Cycling Thermostat
  • Michael from Worcester, MA
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver
430 of 543 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
Dryer wouldn't turn on b/c door switch broken
It was simple once I figured out what to do:). I removed the 2 screws on the top of the dryer... they were a bit hard to find. Even with the other descriptions on this site. I was removing things I didn't need to. The 2 screws you need to remove are under the LINT COLLECTOR LID. Remove those 2 screws & lift the lid... it will be tight at first. the front of the lid has 2 "catches" in the corners.

The hardest part was getting the door switch assembly to "unplug". We pried it off -- eventually -- & then simply plugged in the new one.

Saved me LOTS of money & was worth the 30 minutes - 1 hour of work.

As I said previously, once you realize how to get the lid up & manage to pry off the plug, that's all there is to it -- easy!

Save yourself time & money & do it yourself!
Parts Used:
Dryer Door Switch
  • April from Xenia, OH
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    30 - 60 mins
  • Tools:
    Pliers, Screw drivers
370 of 450 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
No heat for dryer
I first disconnected the power. Then, I took off the back panel with about 8-10 screws. There were a couple of screws that held the heating element in place, which I removed. Then, I disconnected the heating element. The heating element was toward the bottom right hand side and was easily accessible. The connections to the heating element were a little bit tough to disconnect but not too bad. I had to use a flat head screw driver to kind of pry them off but looking back I think some needlenose pliers would have worked better. I then removed the bad heating element and plugged in the new one. I replaced all the screws and turned the dryer back on. It blew hot air again and all was well. I am not very mechanical and it was all pretty easy.
Parts Used:
Heating Element - 240V 5400W
  • Dustin from Star, ID
  • Difficulty Level:
    Really Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Screw drivers, Socket set
344 of 423 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
Broken drive belt
Grow a second set of hands. Always unplug any appliance. Remove lint screen. remove two screws (philips Head). I took a wooden shim lightly tapped w/hammer to pop front of dryer top free. Mine worked on hinges and just flipped back til it rested against the wall. Removed two 5/16 screws inside holding face on carefully raise face section off the support clips at either side on the bottom. Pull drum out (I have the large style drum commercial size [approx.). Clean the inside free of all lint (known to be fire hazard). Sling new belt around drum. Get newly grown set of hands to hold drum in place. Pinch belt to fit between tensioner, lift tensioner and place belt around motor pulley. Spin drum couple times to make certain belt isn't twisted. Reverse dismantle proccess to put back together. Replace all parts that come with kit, you'll feel better knowing you got a new dryer, almost.
Parts Used:
Maintenance Kit
  • DENNIS from ALTOONA, FL
  • Difficulty Level:
    A Bit Difficult
  • Total Repair Time:
    1- 2 hours
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
275 of 302 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
no heat
took a couple differant parts to fix the dryer. i ordered one part at a time. i was expecting to wait the 5 days for shipping but i got home from work the next day of odering parts and they were there waiting for me on my doorstep. all three times i ordered. this website is the best site to order parts. i wont go to another website or store if i need to order parts for appliances. u guys have my business for life. thumbs up.
Parts Used:
Dryer Cycling Thermostat Thermal Cut-Off Kit Heating Element Connection Wire Kit
  • Christopher from dublin, OH
  • Difficulty Level:
    Easy
  • Total Repair Time:
    15 - 30 mins
  • Tools:
    Nutdriver, Screw drivers
231 of 286 people found this instruction helpful.
Was this instruction helpful to you?
Thank you for voting!
All Instructions for the WED4870BW0
1 - 15 of 1637