Cycling Thermostat - Limit: 145-15

Pull the dryer away from the wall, UNPLUG, and remove vent hose. Insert thin metal sheet under the front corners of the lid, push in (hard) while lifting up the lid. The lid will pop up and hinge over and out of the way. Make a drawing of the wiring layout for the lamp and switch on the door, disconect the 3 wires, and remove the entire front panel (2 bolts inside at the top, then lift slightly and pull the panel away). From the back there is a panel for access to the motor/drive belt assy. Remove that panel, reach in, and release the spring loaded pressure on the drive belt. Disengage the Belt. Back at the front of the machine, working inside the drum remove the 3 allen head bolts at the center of the drum. Support the drum - it will drop a little. You can now lift the drum from the front and ease it out with the belt. There is a thermostat at 1 O'clock on the coil rim at the back (2 wires attached to it). To replace, disconnect the 2 wires. Remove the one or two screws, and pull out the thermostat. Install the new thermostat, attach the wires (either way), DONE. Other thermostat is at the bottom in the exhaust duct. Change it the same was as the other, reconnect wires. Remove the belt from the drum and and start working the drum back into the dryer. Loop the new belt over the drum, slide the drum all the way back. I slide 2 long screwdrivers through the screwholes in the drum, and looking down from the top align them with with the holes in the mounting plate. Slide the drum all the way in, reinstall the 3 allen head screws. Reinstall the front panel. Reattach and check all wiring (compare the front panel wiring to your drawing). Lower and snap in the lid. At the back of the unit reach back to the belt and reattach it to the spring assembly. Reinstall that panel, reconnect the exhause duct, slide the unit back and plug in.

Note that the heating problem was the thermostats, but I changed the belt since I was there anyway.

I seriously was thinking about buying a new washer/dryer pair, but after reviewing some online reviews I decided against this. I was pretty astonished when I read consumer reports to find how many new appliances undergo repair their first year. I decided I was better off repairing a reliable unit. Pretty easy - first unplug the dryer. Everything is removed with a couple of screws. Remember sheet metal is sharp, so wear gloves if you are concerned about cuts. The timer is removed from the back of the control panel - even the dial. I also took the opportunity to completely clean the lint out of air passages. A 25 year old dryer is new again.

Disassembled;(mainly just taking screws out) blew/vacuumed 50 pounds of lint from chassis/motor area ; replaced thermostat, and while I had it apart replaced belt and bearing. Runs/dries like new

Open drier door removed lint filter unscrewed thermostat cover unscrewed thermostat removed wire the reversed procedure. Test operates as intended.