Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement

Written By: Bill Gilbert
  • Comments: 2
Whirlpool WED87HED Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

16

Time Required

2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the door switch on your Whirlpool Duet Model WED87HED dryer. It includes steps to test the switch as well.

The door switch makes sure your dryer motor won't start turning the drum if the door is open and stops it if the door is opened in the middle of a cycle. When your dryer won't start, the door switch can be the cause.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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

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    • Lift the top panel upward to separate it from the chassis.

    • Remove the top panel from the machine.

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    • Disconnect the control panel cable from the main board.

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    • Disconnect the drum light connector.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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 -

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    • 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

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

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    • 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.

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    • Use slip joint pliers to pinch the tabs of the harness clip.

    • Push the clip through the mounting hole to release the door switch harness.

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    • Working from the rear of the front panel, pinch the tabs on the end of the switch toward the switch body to release it.

    • The tabs are kind of quirky. They need to be pushed in a diagonal direction to release them. When they do release, you will know it.

    • Push the switch through the mounting hole toward the front of the panel.

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    • Feed the harness through the mounting hole to remove the switch.

    • The second photo shows the switch removed so you can see the mounting flange. This flange is on the front of the switch and faces the dryer door.

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    • This step shows how to test the switch, which will require a multimeter. If you aren't familiar with how to use one, here is a guide that will help you.

    • Insert the multimeter's probes into the two outermost sockets on the switch connector and test continuity and open on the door switch.

    • When the button on the switch is not pushed, the meter should indicate OL.

    • When the button is pushed with the probes in the same place, the meter should read less than 1 Ω.

    • If either of these readings is wrong, especially with the button pressed, replace the switch.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Bill Gilbert

Member since: 30/06/22

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