Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement

Written By: Bill Gilbert

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Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

2 - 3 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the solenoid valve in your Whirlpool dryer.

This valve controls the water supply to the steam spray nozzle.

If this valve fails, you will get no steam action on the steam cycles, or you may have clothes that get wet because of leaking water.

This guide will work for most Whirlpool dryers. This guide is written with a model WED87HED dryer. If you have a different model, you may encounter some minor disassembly differences, but the overall repair process will be the same.

Tools

Step 1

Before you begin your repair, unplug your dryer.
Your power cord may have four prongs rather than three. The additional prong is a ground connection.

Step 2

Throughout this guide, keep track of each screw and reinstall it exactly where it came from.
Use a nut driver to remove the screws securing the top panel to the rear panel bracket.

Step 3

Grasp the top and slide it 1/2 to 1 inch toward the rear of the machine.

Step 4

Lift the top panel upward to separate it from the chassis.
Remove the top panel from the machine.

Step 5

Remove the cover plate screw.

Step 6

Remove the cover plate.

Step 7

Remove the screws securing the cord cables.
Mark the cables with a permanent marker if needed and take a picture or draw a diagram.

Step 8

Pull the cord carefully down through the round hole.
Make sure you replace the connections correctly when you reassemble.

Step 9

Remove the green ground screw.
Remove the cord terminal block screws.

Step 10

Move the cord terminal block behind the rear panel.

Step 11

Remove the rear panel screws.
Throughout this guide, keep track of each screw and reinstall it exactly where it came from.

Step 12

Remove the screw holding the main board bracket to the chassis.
Remove the screws from the top rear of the machine.

Step 13

Put on gloves before continuing, as the rear panel is sharp.
Lift the panel about 1/2 inch and tilt it to the rear to release it from the vent pipe.
Slide the panel off the vent pipe and remove it.

Step 14

During reassembly, perform the following:
Make sure that the vent pipe is fitted into the collar on the panel.
Make sure the tabs at the bottom are aligned to the bottom rim of the chassis.
Position the panel so its screw holes match with the chassis.

Step 15

Push the retaining clip out with a small screwdriver or spudger.
Grab the retaining clip with your fingertips and remove it.

Step 16

Press the yellow sleeve toward the valve to release the water tube.
While holding the sleeve in place, pull the water tube out of the sleeve

Step 17

Pull the two solenoid valve electrical connectors straight off the valve to disconnect them.
Be sure to grip the connector and not the wire when disconnecting.