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Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the door switch on your Whirlpool 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.

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.

What you need

  1. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Safety Precautions: step 1, image 1 of 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.

    Edit

  2. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    FixMat
    $36.95
    Buy

    • 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.

    Edit

  3. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  4. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

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

    • Remove the top panel from the machine.

    Edit

  5. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Disconnect the control panel: step 5, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Disconnect the control panel: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the control panel cable from the main board.

    Edit

  6. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the drum light connector.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Unfasten the control panel: step 7, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Unfasten the control panel: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screws securing the control panel.

    Edit

  9. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the control panel: step 8, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the control panel: step 8, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the control panel: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  10. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Disconnect the door switch: step 9, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Disconnect the door switch: step 9, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Disconnect the door switch: step 9, image 3 of 3

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

    • Unplug the connector.

    Edit

  11. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Unfasten the front panel: step 10, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Unfasten the front panel: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the upper front panel sheet metal screws.

    • Tilt the machine backwards and prop it securely, or have a friend hold it.

    • Remove the sheet metal screws on the bottom edge of the panel.

    Edit

  12. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screws inside the door area below the drum opening.

    Edit

  13. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the front panel: step 12, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the front panel: step 12, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the front panel: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  14. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Release the door switch harness: step 13, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Release the door switch harness: step 13, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Release the door switch harness: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  15. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the door switch: step 14, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the door switch: step 14, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Remove the door switch: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  16. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  17. Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Test the switch: step 16, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Door Switch Testing and Replacement, Test the switch: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

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

Author

with 1 other contributor

Bill Gilbert

Member since: 06/30/22

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