Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Belt Switch Testing and Replacement

Written By: Bill Gilbert

Comments: 2

Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Belt Switch Testing and Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

4 - 6 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to test the belt switch on your Whirlpool Duet WED87HED Dryer and replace it if necessary.

The belt switch is an important safety feature that shuts down the entire dryer if the drive belt breaks. Without the clothes tumbling, it's possible for the airflow to be obstructed and for the dryer to overheat.

When this switch fails, the dryer may refuse to run.

This repair is rated as difficult, mainly because of the large number of disassembly steps needed. You will be almost completely disassembling your dryer. This isn't particularly difficult if you're an experienced repairer, but it's not something we recommend attempting on your first try.

Tools

Parts

W10847984 - Whirlpool Dryer Belt Switch

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 5/16 inch nut driver to remove the two 15.7 mm-long 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

Disconnect the control panel cable from the main board.

Step 6

Disconnect the drum light connector.

Step 7

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the two 16.3 mm‑long sheet metal screws located at each end of the control panel.

Step 8

Lift the control panel up and tilt it away from the chassis to remove it.
Make sure to thread the cable through the hole in the chassis.
During reassembly, thread the cable through its proper hole before reinstalling the control panel.

Step 9

Use a small flat blade screwdriver or a spudger to unlatch both sides of the door switch connector.
Unplug the connector.

Could this use a locator shot to show where on the back of the control panel it's located?

Austin Blakely -

It isn't located on the control panel, it is near the side of the dryer cabinet, kind of tucked under the top rim of the cabinet. Thanks for the suggestion, and hope this helps to clarify.

Bill Gilbert -

Step 10

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the three upper front panel 16.4 mm-long sheet metal screws.
Tilt the machine backwards and prop it securely, or have a friend hold it.
Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the four sheet metal screws on the bottom edge of the panel:
Two 16.4 mm screws
Two 13 mm screws

Step 11

Use a Phillips driver to remove the two 15.8 mm‑long screws inside the door area below the drum opening.

Step 12

The panel is heavy and awkward. You may want to have a friend help you with this step.
Pull the bottom of the panel away from the chassis about two to three inches.
Lift the front panel off the small tabs on the chassis near the top of the panel and remove it.
Make sure you don't snag the door switch wire harness as you remove the panel.

Step 13

Use a 5/16 inch nut driver to remove the 16.2 mm-long cover plate screw.

Step 14

Remove the cover plate.

Step 15

Mark the cables with a permanent marker if needed and take a picture or draw a diagram.
Use a Phillips driver or a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the three 21.4 mm-long screws.
If your plug has 4 prongs, there will be a ground connection from the cord as well. Use a 5/16 inch nut driver to remove this connection.

Step 16

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

Step 17

Use a 5/16 inch hex driver to remove the 16.5 mm-long green ground screw.
Use a Phillips driver to remove the two 15.3 mm‑long cord terminal block screws.

Step 18

Move the cord terminal block behind the rear panel.

Step 19

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the eleven rear panel screws.
Ten 20 mm-long screws
One 12.9 mm-long screw under the water inlet.
Throughout this guide, keep track of each screw and reinstall it exactly where it came from.

Step 20

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the 16.4 mm-length screw holding the main board bracket to the chassis.
Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the two 20 mm-long screws from the top rear of the machine.

Step 21

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 22

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 23

Pull the lint filter up out of the lint filter slot to remove it.
These photos show the front panel in place, but the procedure is the same if the front panel is already removed.

Step 24

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the 16.4 mm‑long mounting screws securing the lint filter housing.

Step 25

Pull the filter housing outward from the chassis and down to remove it.

Step 26

Squeeze the locking tabs on the moisture sensor connector.
Disconnect the connector.

Step 27

Label, photograph or make a sketch of the connector locations and of the main board bracket position on your machine.
Disconnect all of the connectors on the main board front half.

Step 28

Label, photograph or make a sketch of the connector locations and of the main board bracket position on your machine.
Disconnect all the connectors from the rear half of the main board.

Step 29

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the 12.8 mm‑long sheet metal screw that retains the main board to the main board bracket.

Step 30

Lift the rear corner of the main board nearest to the side walls of the chassis.
You want to release the locking tab on the side of the main board.
Slide the main board toward the front of the dryer to release the tabs securing it to the main board bracket.

Step 31

Remove the main board from the main board bracket.

Step 32

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to unfasten the 16.4 mm‑long sheet metal screw holding the main board bracket.

Step 33

Lift off the main board bracket from the chassis and turn it so the bottom is exposed.
Using long nose or slip joint pliers, pinch the locking wings of the harness retainer clamp.
Separate the harness from the main board bracket and remove the main board bracket.

Step 34

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the two screws securing the upper front bulkhead to the front of the chassis.
One 16.4 mm-long sheet metal screw
One 19.8 mm-long sheet metal screw
Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the two 16.5 mm‑long sheet metal screws securing the top plastic portion to the upper front bulkhead.

Step 35

Remove the upper front bulkhead and set it aside.

Step 36

Take careful note of the belt path before proceeding.
Be very careful during this step! The idler arm is under spring tension and may pinch you, or it could damage the belt switch if the arm is allowed to snap down.
Push the idler arm (the metal upside-down "L") up to relieve the tension on the drive belt.
Remove the belt from the motor pulley.
Gently lower the idler arm until it rests parallel to the dryer floor.
During reassembly, refer to your notes or the belt path link to rethread the drive belt.

Step 37

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the four screws securing the lower front bulkhead.
Two 16.1 mm-long sheet metal screws on the left side of the lower front bulkhead.
Two 13.2 mm-long sheet metal screws on the right side of the lower front bulkhead.

Step 38

While supporting the drum, lift the lower front bulkhead off of the hooks on the chassis.

Step 39

Lower the bulkhead about 2 inches to free the drum rollers tucked under the drum.
While supporting the drum, remove the lower front bulkhead.
During reassembly, tilt the bulkhead to the right to get the rollers under the lip on the front of the drum. Once the drum is on the rollers, you can move the bulkhead to the upright position.

Step 40

Use the belt to lift the drum a few inches.
Swing the drum out of the front of the dryer.
Note which end of the drum faces the front.
If the belt is broken, stand in front of the drum and put your arms inside it. Lift it up and pull it through the front opening of the machine. Having someone to help you with this is a good idea.
Make sure you get your drum back on the rollers when you reinstall the lower front bulkhead. Take your time and don't force it.

Step 41

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to unfasten the 12.9 mm-long blower cover screw.

Step 42

Lift the blower cover slightly and slide it to free the tabs which hold it in place.
Remove the blower cover.
The photos show the lower front bulkhead in place. The bulkhead doesn't affect the blower cover removal and reassembly.

Step 43

Move to the rear of the machine to access the drive shaft.
Hold the drive shaft with an adjustable wrench, or a 1 inch wrench, on the hex portion of the drum drive pulley.
The threads on the blower wheel are left-hand threads. The wrench must be installed to the left of the pulley to keep it from rotating counterclockwise.

Step 44

Use a 1/2 inch drive socket wrench with a 5 or 6 inch extension bar and no socket to fit into the square hole on the blower wheel.
Turn the wheel clockwise (to the right) to free it enough to remove it by hand.

Step 45

Rotate the blower wheel clockwise by hand until it's free from the motor shaft.
Remove the wheel from the blower housing.

Step 46

This step shows the thermal fuse location and appearance.

Step 47

Disconnect the two spade connectors attached to the thermal fuse.
Always remove wires by pulling on the connector, not the wire.

Step 48

Disconnect the two spade connectors attached to the outlet thermistor.

Step 49

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the 12.8 mm‑long sheet metal screw securing the vent pipe to the blower housing.
Remove the vent pipe by sliding it toward the rear of the dryer to free it from the blower housing.

Step 50

Use a 1/4 inch nut driver to remove the three 12.7 mm‑long sheet metal screws.

Step 51

Move the blower housing toward the front of the dryer about 1–2 inches to clear the motor shaft.
Lift the blower housing up and away to remove it.

Step 52

Use a flat head screwdriver or a spudger to lift the connector locking clips.
Disconnect the connector by pulling it straight off.
Be sure to grip the connector and not the wires when disconnecting.

Step 53

Use long nose pliers to disconnect the first belt switch wire.
Be sure to grip the connector and not the wire when disconnecting.
The third photo will help on reassembly.

Step 54

Disconnect the second belt switch wire.

Step 55

This step shows how to test the belt switch will require a multimeter. If you aren't familiar with how to use one, here is a guide that will help you.
Check the continuity between the switch wires while the idler pulley arm is down.
The multimeter should show an open circuit (OL).
Next, test to see that the belt switch shows continuity when the idler pulley arm is raised.
The multimeter should read less than 1 Ω.
If the switch fails either of these tests, replace it. Go on to the next step.

Step 56

Use one hand to press down on the motor retainer clip bump. This should make it easy to unhook the clip from the motor cradle mount.
While maintaining the downward pressure, use your other hand to unhook the clip from the motor cradle mount.

Step 57

Lift the motor retainer clip off the motor and remove it.
Repeat the last two steps for the other motor clip.

Step 58

Lift the motor out of the motor mount and remove it.

Step 59

Use a spudger, or small flathead screwdriver, to depress the first retaining tab on the belt switch.
Rotate the belt switch a small amount to keep the tab released.