Fix the Element in a Hotpoint Dryer
Most dryer heating problems are the result of a faulty heating element. The only way to fix a faulty heating element is to replace the element. Unlike most dryers, the Hotpoint dryer heating element is behind the drum. The element assembly resembles a plate with two coil springs. Replacement element assemblies for the Hotpoint are available at appliance service centers. Although you will need to remove the dryer drum to access the element, the replacement process is not difficult.
Instructions
1. Unplug the Hotpoint dryer power cord from the wall outlet. Move the dryer two feet away from the rear wall.
2. Open the dryer door and locate the two screws under the upper lip of the door opening. Remove the screws with a Phillips-head screwdriver and lift the front of the top panel. Raise the top panel toward the rear wall and allow the panel to sit back on the rear hinges. This will resemble opening your car hood, only the dryer top will open fully.
3. Remove the two screws that secure the front panel to the side panels inside the dryer cabinet with a Phillips-head screwdriver. The screws will be in the upper inside corner on both sides of the front panel. Lift the front panel and set it against the right side of the dryer.
4. Go to the rear of the dryer and locate a small access panel on the middle of the rear panel. Remove the two screws securing the access panel with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Inside the access area, you will see the bearing clip and washers for the drum. Remove the bearing clip and pull the washers off of the drum.
5. Go to the front of the dryer to disconnect the drive belt from the idler pulley. Reach your hands to the inside right of the cabinet, pull the idler pulley to the left and hold it. With a free hand, pull the belt off of the motor pulley and idler pulley. Slowly release the idler pulley back to the right.
6. Grab the dryer drum and lift it up to pull it out of the cabinet. When you pull the drum out of the cabinet, you will bring the belt with the drum.
7. Disconnect the heating element wires from the heating element terminals. The heating element terminal are on the upper right side of the assembly. Remove the two screws that secure the high-limit thermostat to the heating element assembly with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the high-limit thermostat off the heating element assembly and set the thermostat on the top rear corner of the cabinet. You will not need to remove the thermostat wires.
8. Go to the rear of the dryer and remove the four screws that secure the heating element to the rear of the dryer with the Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the faulty element out of the cabinet and place the new element inside the cabinet. Line the mounting holes of the new assembly up with the cabinet and secure the assembly to the cabinet with the four retaining screws.
9. Place the high-limit thermostat into the heating element assembly and secure the thermostat with the retaining screws. Slide the wire ends over the heating element terminals. Position the drum back inside the dryer with the small shaft on the rear center inserted through the center portion of the heating element assembly.
10. Pull the idler pulley to the left and route the belt over the idler pulley and motor pulley. Go to the back of the dryer, slide the washer back over the dryer drum shaft and reinstall the bearing clip. Rotate the drum by hand to check for any binding.
11. Position the front panel back to the sides and secure the panels together with the retaining screws. Pull the top panel down and secure the top panel with the two retaining screws. Plug the Hotpoint dryer back into the wall outlet and push the dryer back into its working position.
Related posts
Hotpoint dishwashers, which are manufactured by General Electric, have a heating element at the bottom of the machine. The heating element heats the water so that the dishes are sterilized as they...
Manufactured by Whirpool and sold by Sears, Kenmore residential clothes dryers have a well-deserved reputation for longevity when properly maintained. If you hear a loud bang just before the drum...
The Magic Chef line of dryers is part of the Maytag brand of appliances and uses many of the same designs and parts as the Maytag dryers, including the motor and idler pulley system. Because the b...
Your Maytag electric dryer has a problem and you don't know fix it. Before you call the dealer or the repairman, try to find a solution for the problem on your own so you can save yourself some ti...
The heating element of the propane/electric refrigerator is designed to supply the heat needed to operate the refrigerator when there is no electric power. Removing the heating element is a fairly...
