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Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the LED drum light module on your Whirlpool Dryer.

The drum light lights the inside of your dryer's drum. When it fails, it is inconvenient to check the clothes in the dryer.

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 Drum Light 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 Drum Light Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    FixMat
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    • 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 Drum Light Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light 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 Drum Light Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light 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 Drum Light Replacement, Disconnect the control panel: step 5, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Disconnect the control panel: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the control panel cable from the main board.

    Edit

  7. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the drum light connector.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Unfasten the control panel: step 7, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Unfasten the control panel: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screws securing the control panel.

    Edit

  9. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Remove the control panel: step 8, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Remove the control panel: step 8, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light 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 Drum Light Replacement, Disconnect the door switch: step 9, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Disconnect the door switch: step 9, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light 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 Drum Light Replacement, Unfasten the front panel: step 10, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light 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 Drum Light Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  13. Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Remove the front panel: step 12, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Remove the front panel: step 12, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light 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 Drum Light Replacement, Remove the drum light: step 13, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Remove the drum light: step 13, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Drum Light Replacement, Remove the drum light: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Release the drum light module by pressing in on the tabs on the side of the module.

    • Push the module through the mounting hole in the front bulkhead and into the drum.

    • Feed the wiring harness through the mounting hole and remove the module and harness from the dryer.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

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

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Bill Gilbert

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