A dryer high-limit thermostat (High Limit Thermostat, Hi-Limit Thermostat, Dryer High-Limit Thermostat) is a switch that is actuated by temperature change. This high limit thermostat acts as a safety mechanism to keep the dryer from overheating. If your thermostat is malfunctioning, your dryer may not heat. This thermostat is located beneath the dryer vent at the back of the appliance. The terminal extension arm connects to the heater element terminal. You can test the high limit thermostat with a multimeter. Test the thermostat for continuity at room temperature. If your reading indicates a defective thermostat, it must be replaced. This model is made of metal and plastic, and comes in silver/black. This part features 1 high limit thermostat with a terminal extension arm.
Replacing your Whirlpool Dryer Dryer High Limit Thermostat
How to Troubleshoot a Dryer That Doesn't Heat Properly
Test If Your Electrical Part is Failing - Multimeter Tool
Troubleshooting
This part fixes the following symptoms:
Too hot | Not Heating
This part works with the following products:
Dryer.
Part# WP3977767 replaces these:
AP6009043, 3399693, 3977767, WP3977767VP
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Janette C - January 11, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great part dryer is working
My dryer is working perfectly. Thank you!!
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Patricia C - August 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
Easy To Install - Fixed Problem
Should have ordered this part to start with or at least with first part ordered (heating coil element which did not fix problem). Easy to install, dryer works great now!
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David M - October 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Easy to repair, great information
This site was most helpful in diagnosing my problem and helping me find the correct part I needed. It came in a timely manner and was easy to install.
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Thomas P - June 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
Easy fix
THe part was exactly wHat was needed. My wife installed it and the dry is work very well.
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Frank C - June 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
Easy fix,less than 15min to install
Part was an exact match, dryer is working fine now. Took a few days to arrive.
★★★★★
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Starre B - March 27, 2021
Verified Purchase
Easy repair, high quality factory part.
PartSelect is a wonderful company. I have made three repairs on appliance using their parts. Their videos have made me a confident home appliance repair woman! However this part was shipped FedEx. It was supposed to be delivered on Wed., didn’t come. Tracked it again it said Friday, didn’t come, tracking said Saturday, didn’t come, then Sunday, didn’t come. Finally received it on Monday. Please use someone else for shipping to Montana!!!
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Kenneth B - March 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
Excellent service
The part arrived in perfect shape and on time at a very nice price. Within minutes my dryer is as back in working order and producing heat.
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Brian C - September 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
Easy to install
We use the dryer everyday and it has been working fine
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Bobby F - March 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Works great
Service is is to use l, and part came when the said is would. Working great thank!
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Stephen K - January 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
Perfect
Worked like a charm, shipping was fast. I'll order from PartSelect again in the future.
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Customer Repair Stories
Average Repair Rating: 3.8 / 5.0, 71 reviews.
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No heat, everything else worked fine.
Installed the new High Limit Thermostat onto the new Heating element and installed the unit on the dryer. Wires were then connected and the dryer was tested. Repair complete. Dryer is 25 years old and this is its first repair.
To replace the thermostat and heating element, I followed the video from PartSelect.
Before buying the parts, I had already taken my machine apart to clean it and check for lint build up, but there was only a bit of dust, no major blockages. Because the burning smell was metallic, I just had my fingers crossed that replacing t
... Read morehe heating element and thermostat would do the trick. It worked! There is an odd ceramic sort of smell in the first 5 minutes of using the new element but that went away and all is working well at this point.
My components looked slightly different from those on the video; I had fewer wires so I just took photos of everything before I started to make sure I put it all back in the correct place. I had to watch another video on how to easily remove the thermostat, mine was stuck. I just used a flat head screw driver behind it like a lever and gently pried it off. It took me about 30 minutes total only because I had to watch a couple of extra YouTube videos due to the differences of my machine. I don’t usually do repairs like this one and wanted to be completely sure I was doing it correctly, but the work/repair itself was super easy.
The lint trap seal was just because mine got damaged when I took it apart to clean it. I just pulled the old one off, made sure the old adhesive was completely removed, (it peeled off like scotch tape), I cleaned it, then I slowly went around the edge of the vent/housing and stuck the new foam seal down. No video required, just common sense.
I fixed it with my soccer set I took the lent thing off and clean it out was stopped up with lent didint need the parts I order but I will keep them for the future.
Unit was tripping the circuit breaker after about 10 minutes of drying time
Unplugged the unit, removed the back panel of the dryer and then removed the thermostat panel. Disconnected the wires on the thermostat and changed out the thermostat.
Peter from FAIR OAKS, CA
Difficulty Level:
Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver, Pliers, Screw drivers
1 personfound this instruction helpful.
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Dryer Not heating
Based on your web site I assumed the problem with the dryer not heating was either the Thermostat or the fuse. Since I could not locate my multimeter I ordered those parts. Prior to receiving the parts I located my multimeter and discovered both part were good. After further investigation I learned the timer motor (seldom at fault) might
... Read morebe faulty. I tested the timer moter and found an open circuit. Local appliance store had one. I installed the new timer motor and I now have a working dryer. Thank you for your informative web site
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Daniel from MILFORD, MA
Difficulty Level:
Very Easy
Total Repair Time:
Less than 15 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver
1 of 2 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
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Intermittent heat issues
The replacement parts are truly easy to exchange. Everything is located behind the rear panel. A few fasteners needed to be undone. What's really important is another video that explained what should be "checked" when a dryer malfunctions. VERY IMPORTANT viewing. I spent an afternoon going over the front inside and rear of my dryer. I'll
... Read moreprobably get another ten years from my dryer thanks to this site data and videos.
My dryer was running way too hot and the temperature settings didn't make any difference. Clothes were shrinking and coming out almost scalding hot. I followed simple directions posted on you tube for troubleshooting this problem. I checked that there were no lint blockages, visually inspected all connections and hardware. All seemed good
... Read more. Metered out all thermostats and fuses. Everything checked good for continuity. For the reset-able thermostats, I heated them on a hot plate to verify that the normally closed switches opened near their specified temperatures. Dont do this for the non-resetable fuses and thermostats. If you're not sure, avoid this step. Only the hi-limit thermostat seemed to open a little higher than expected but I couldn't with 100% accuracy determine the exact temp it opened. Made sure the heating element wasn't shorted in its housing or that too might give the dryer the same symptoms. That checked good too. Only thing left I could think of was to change that hi-limit thermostat. Ordered part, removed and replaced. Perfect fit. Op-checked good. All heat settings now operate normally. No more shrunken clothes that are too hot to touch even on the lowest setting lol. Hope this helps, happy hunting.
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Jon from SALINAS, CA
Difficulty Level:
Really Easy
Total Repair Time:
30 - 60 mins
Tools:
Nutdriver, Pliers
4 of 4 peoplefound this instruction helpful.
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Questions and Answers
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Gillis
July 20, 2017
How do I remove the old hi-limit thermostat and replace it with this one?
Hello Gillis, one side of the hi-limit goes onto the heater terminal and the other connects to the wire. Replace the old one on the heater leg with the new one. Best of luck with this repair.
26 people found this helpful.
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Ed
July 20, 2017
Can I test this with a multi-meter? If so how will I know if it is still in good condition?
Hi Ed, yes, this high-limit thermostat can be tested with a multi-meter tool, and should read closed for continuity. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
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Jessica
November 29, 2017
Based on my model number (len2000pw1) i need part number 3977767 but the one i took off my dryer is is 3977393 which only has two terminals, therefore, there are only two wires coming out of there. Which part do i need to replace this?
For model number LEN2000PW1
Hi Jessica,
Thank you for your question. The part you removed from your dryer, part number 3977393, is part of a thermal cut-off kit. The thermal cut-off turns off the heating component when the dryer overheats, ensuring there is a consistent level of heat at all times. This dryer thermal cut-off kit includes one high-limit thermostat with a limit of 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and one thermal cut-off fuse (309 degrees). This kit also includes flat heaters with jumper wires. If your dryer is not starting properly, shutting off too soon or is taking too long to dry your clothes it could be because it has blown and needs to be replaced. This would be the part you would need to replace and you would replace both parts at the same time. I hope this helps. Thank you and have a great day!
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Hongwei
November 9, 2017
Not heating. Drum can spin. I changed thermostat, fuse. Did not change high limit thermostat. I used test pencil to test the high limit thermostat, both poles are light on. Is the heating element broken?
For model number LEQ5000KQ1
Hi Hongwei, Thank you for the question. There is a Thermal Fuse and a thermal cut-off fuse. The thermal cut-off fuse is included with a kit with the high-limit thermostat,PartSelect Number PS334299. I suggest testing this fuse. Hope this helps!
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SUE
November 12, 2017
We have replaced the heating element and the thermostate and still no heat . Please help
For model number NED4600YQ0
Hi Sue,
Thank you for your inquiry. If your dryer is not getting enough heat, there are some parts that you will need to check to see which one is causing the issue. You will need to check the thermal cut off kit., the internal bias thermostat, the heating element connection wires, the belt and the door switch. I hope this helps. Thank you and have a great day!
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Aaron
July 20, 2017
My dryer is not working properly when I have it on “auto dry” but every other setting seems to work. You recommended first to check the vents and the blower but those are all in good condition and no clogging, where should I go to next? Would it be the hi-limit thermo?
Hello Aaron, the most likely reason for the dryer to not have heat, would be a damaged contact in the timer. I hope this helps!
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Mike
April 12, 2018
I checked my high limit switch with a multimeter and had no toner
For model number MED5870TW0
Hi Mike, Thank you for the question. The High Limit Thermostat should read closed for continuity. Hope this helps!
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Ryan
February 3, 2020
What is the difference between this part an the thermal cut off
For model number Teds740jq1
Hello Ryan, Thank you for the question. The Thermal Cut-Off Kit PartSelect Number PS334299 includes the Thermal Cut Off Fuse and the High-Limit Thermostat. The PartSelect Number PS11742185 Dryer High Limit Thermostat is just the Thermostat on its own. We recommend replacing the fuse and Thermostat together. We hope this helps.
I have cleaned all exhausts, from the roof down to inside dryer. Took off rear side, cleaned very little lint anywhere. I have heat, but inside drum (dryer) humid, like there's no circulation. Turned on fan, it works,blows air out the exhaust. It take 2-3 hrs to dry clothes,but the are always most.Out.
For model number MEDX655DWO
Hello Thomas, thank you for your question. There are a couple of parts you will want to check in relation to this issue. The Thermal Cut-Off Kit Part Number: 279816. The thermal cut-off turns off the heating component when the dryer overheats, ensuring there is a consistent level of heat at all times. This dryer thermal cut-off kit includes one high-limit thermostat with a limit of 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and one thermal cut-off fuse (309 degrees), so it cycles the heat in the unit. Also, you will want to check the Internal-Bias Thermostat Part Number WP8318268. This thermostat has an internal heater L155-25F. This thermostat controls the internal drying temperature. These parts can be tested with a multimeter to determine if they have continuity. I hope this helps!
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Bob
March 31, 2018
My Kenmore dryer is about 5yrs old,was working fine until last week.Now when i turn it on it will blow heat for about 3 to 5 min and then will just blow out air.Takes about an hour to dry,would this part fix the problem? Bob
For model number 110.61202011
Hello Bob, Thank you for your inquiry. This is one of the parts that could fix this issue, we would also recommend checking the thermal fuse, internal bias thermostat, thermal cut off kit and heating assembly. You can test the parts with a multimeter. Hope this helps!
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