Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Place one probe on the bare metal housing of the motor. Please note, some of the links on our site are affiliate links ( Learn More ). Place one probe on the bare metal housing of the motor. This repair will apply to most every Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag and Frigidaire Dryers along with many other brands. Here is how to test a dryer's timer motor. More about us. To test the dryer motor with a multimeter attach the probe leads to the motor terminals. Once inserted, the voltage should read between 220 to 240 volts. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If a meter shows Infinity when an element is tested, the element is open (broken) and needs replacing. Functioning as the heart of every dryer, the timer is nothing more than just sets of cam-operated switches. You can wire a blower or any other compatible device to the motor. Depending on your make and model, there may be a number of wires connected to it. As soon as you notice a problem with your dryer time, work immediately to find the solution. Leave some comments if you have any questions or just leave some comments. "The simplicity of writing helped me more to understand. Place the other probe on each terminal, one at a time. *Taxes and shipping will be applied during checkout. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. We will notify you via To fix that, unplug the dryer and check the components and contacts for continuity. References. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Check-an-Electric-Motor-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-an-Electric-Motor-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/db\/Check-an-Electric-Motor-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-an-Electric-Motor-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Also, check if your blower or any other device connected to the dryer motor is working well. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. RepairSmith was also included in Built in LAs 50 Startups to Watch and The Business Intelligence Groups 52 Names Leading the Way in Customer Service. To check the thermal cut-out - You can bypass the thermal cut-out (just connect the 2 wires together) for testing purposes only. Check the terminals and connectors for possible corrosion. Touch the other probe to one of the other terminals. To test a refrigerator's temperature control, for example, pull the temperature control knob away from the refrigerator's wall and touch each alligator clip to one of the temperature control's two terminals. email once verification is done. All you need to do is identify which wire goes where and for what purpose. The switch is attached to an idler pulley which is designed to hit the switch to shut everything off and protect the belt from coming off or breaking. You can technically use anything that conducts electricity, from a piece of aluminum foil to a pencil mark on a sheet of paper, to test your ohmmeter, as long as you know that objects resistance value ahead of time. Volt meter (Ohm meter) Step 1 Turn off the power to the dryer. So, this mechanism used by the dryer motor can be used to perform mechanical work in related DIY projects. If you act fast, you can fix the problem before it worsens, helping you get back to normal and increasing the systems longevity. Ohmmeters are typically sold along with these test leads. "The article "How to check an electrical motor" refreshed my memory enough to be able to tell the supplier. Set your DMM to the Ohms Function and touch the probes to the terminals on the capacitor. It should be in one of the service areas of your dryer or in the owner's manual. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. It directs electric current to the heating element and dryer motor at the right times for the cycle selected. A cam inside the timer runs the motor control contacts. To see why your electric motor isnt working, read on. References(1) electromagnetic energy https://www.thoughtco.com/examples-of-electromagnetic-energy-608911(2) mechanical energy https://www.britannica.com/science/mechanical-energy. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You may use electrical tape to insulate the twisted end instead. Do Electric Dryers Produce Carbon Monoxide? To use an ohmmeter, start by disconnecting all power to the circuit that you're testing. Many have fittings for lubrication while others are permanently lubricated or "maintenance free.". Take a close look at the timer motor control. If it is ok you should read continuity. You need to replace it if the reading does not match the recommendation in the owners manual. Connect the green wire to the ground screw that holds the ground strap. Tape them. References How to Interpret Your Residential Electrical Meter. Method 1 Setting up Your Ohmmeter 1 Make sure your meter has a battery installed or is plugged in. Often, the motor and timer are sold as a single assembly, so the whole thing should be changed. If you can not determine by wiring picture what they are, check across the two terminals with the largest wires on them. All rights reserved. WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. Then, simply remove the screws holding the control panel in place, carefully open the control panel and let its face rest on the towel. Should read 240V. Can you use an ohmmeter on a live circuit? Place the test probes on the capacitor terminals, then make sure the resistance starts low and gradually increases. Remove the old wires in the dryer. Disconnect the wires from the screws. Expert Interview. Adjust the scale on your multimeter to read R x 1. If you get a high reading, then the timer motor is bad and it's time to replace it. Just a random guy who likes to build things. If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Create any custom mask you can imagine for just $9.99! Strip about one inch of the insulation coating of the blue and the white wire with a wire stripper. On average, most motors will have little resistance. That could be an indication that the timer has been damaged or needs to be replaced. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Set the function switch on the Ohmmeter to the R X 1 scale. Because youre measuring the resistance in the circuit and resistance doesnt change with the direction of current flow, the positive probe and the negative probe can be on either end of the circuit to get an accurate resistance reading. Enter your model number and our Instant Repairman will help diagnose and fix your appliance. Always read your owners manual before testing an electric motor. (will be here soon) - need to make video! Door switches get a great deal of hard use. Detach the timer by disconnecting the remaining wires, remembering how they connect and detach the console screws to free the knob from the dryer. Step 5 - Rotate Shaft of Motor. Any value greater 0.5 ohms indicate trouble with the . On the backside or the top of the control panel, find the screws that you will have to remove to open it up. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Set the towel down at the base of the control panel on the dryer. Disconnect the motor's two wire leads from the wiring harness. The Home Tech Solutions team has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive solutions for residential electrical needs. Connect them to separate wires on a two-terminal plug and nest the spliced terminals in a wire cap for safety. 3 Locate the thermostat. Once youve done that, you can use it to measure the resistance of any circuit simply by holding the probes on opposite sides of it. This time, the meter's LCD should display a 0.00 for a good switch. Should you need to upload, just click the Import your copy of this document link in the form. For testing larger appliances such as stoves or refrigerators, you may need to remove a panel and/or remove individual components from the appliance to test them. Tip: If youre investing in an ohmmeter for general use, you probably ought to go ahead and buy a good quality "multimeter" (multi-tester), which can test other electrical values such as voltage and amperage as well. Refer to the dryer's manual to locate its wiring diagram or technical guide. You can use it by determining if a device is shorted or open. If it is ok you should, Heat elements-Test heater element with an ohm meter. Do Space Heaters Use a Lot of Electricity? Find the wiring diagram situated on the units back, inside the control panel or cabinet. Always remove wires from the part you are testing with an ohm meter ( write down what goes where first before removing any wires ). The start winding comprises thinner wires and thus experiences higher resistance. If you see an error, try reloading the page. We will notify you via email once verification is done. As an alternative, you can utilize needle nose pliers to pull slowly on the wire connector. Touch one probe to the terminal where you removed the wire and the second probe to any contacts on the dryer timer. In this video I show you how to tell if your dryer motor is bad. This article was co-authored by Duston Maynes and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Your motor should show little resistance (a reading of zero, or close to zero). Testing a dryer door switch is a simple process. Video of the Day Step 2 Locate the timer on your dryer's control panel. Label the wires connecting to your timer motor so that you will be able to correctly reconnect them later. If the numbers do not move at all, it likely means that your electric motor has an electrical problem. For the next step, label all the wires linking to the dryer timer motor. I would love to hear your views and please share this guide if you find it useful. You can do this by turning off the circuit breaker that delivers power to it, or you can simply unplug the machine if it is not direct fed. Find the positive (red) and negative (black) wires. How to Troubleshoot a Frigidaire Electric Clothes Dryer. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. An O.L. on the LCD indicates a defective switch. If you are using an analog device, hold the two probes together as you adjust the meters needle to 0.. Set the multimeter to continuity test mode. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Again, the blue wires are attached to another set of connectors which can be another set of safety switches. Manage Settings By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Retrieve the Error Codes in a Frigidaire Affinity Front Load Dryer. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. The two catches securing the top in place are located at the front right- and left-hand sides, about one to two inches in from the sides. After identifying the terminal numbers, go ahead and check the wiring harness that is denoted as follows: If the motor is still in the dryer, unplug the dryer and sever the cord-bearing connection at the back of the dryer. To check the thermal fuse - You can bypass the thermal fuse (just connect the 2 wires together) for testing purposes only. Unplug the power cord from the game console and from the AC outlet. Remove it and try to test it for continuity. It is not common for dryer timers to malfunction, and they are often misdiagnosed as having failed when they are actually fully operational. Be sure to plug the short ends of the leads into the sockets. All rights reserved. For example, if a circuit has 0 ohms, current would be able to flow through the circuit completely unimpeded. You may need to remove the bolts securing the front control panel in case. Either unplug the unit from the wall outlet, remove the appropriate fuse from the fuse box, or flip the appropriate breaker in the circuit breaker panel. Got an electric motor that just wont start? Carefuly remove the wires. Next, insert the plug into a wall outlet and turn the power on to verify if the motor is working. Now check the ground connection. Search Millions of Parts from Thousands of Suppliers. Depending on the information that you enter, you may be able to add your tax exemption certificate immediately and This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. Easy-to-navigate pictures and diagrams mean that you can confidently choose the correct parts! "Very easy to understand and follow since I have never used a multimeter.". wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Education: University Of Denver - Electric Engineering % of people told us that this article helped them. We have received your CertCapture request form for . However, some dryers function at a 220V alternating current in the US. This article has been viewed 676,315 times. The blue wire goes through the switch and into the motor. Your motor should show little resistance (a reading of zero, or close to zero). Touch or connect one probe of the multi-tester to the terminal on the dryer timer motor from which you unplugged the wire and then touch the other probe to the other terminal, which still has the wire connected to it. If its zero or reads any continuity at all, then a problem exists with either the motor or cable . Zero the multimeter tool by moving two probes together. To check the thermostats for continuity - - You can bypass the thermostat (just connect the 2 wires together) for testing purposes only. How many ohms should a single phase motor have? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. If your meter was recently purchased, you should not have to buy your leads separately. However, it could also be caused by the timer motor malfunctioning. This means not only unplugging it, but also discharging any capacitors in the circuit. When you turn the tool on, make sure the numbers are set to 0. The meter should indicate an open circuit by displaying an O.L. on its LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). No matter what your electric motor is powering, there are easy ways to test it, both with a multimeter and visually. Depending on your dryer model, you may need to get rid of the rear panel at the back of the control panel. If the capacitor is good, the readout will read a very high or infinite resistance. You should get a reading of zero. Set your multimeter to the R x 1 setting. We'll send you expert repair help, discounts, and more! (1, 2). The consumer or reader is individually responsible for his or her use of the information supplied and uses this information at their own risk. Step 4. If the timer is not working as it should be, more often than not, the issue is failing motor control contacts. Check continuity across the terminals on the motor switch you removed the heavy wires from. A three-terminal switch will have the terminals marked C (Common), N.O. If yours is a digital ohmmeter, the screen should read 0 when you touch the 2 probes together. It works by using 2 probes to send a current through the circuit and measuring how much resistance, in ohms, that current encounters. Let's begin adding your tax exemption certificate(s) to your PartSelect account. 11 June 2021. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Once you have diagnosed the problem we have the OEM replacement timer that fits your appliance. Beautiful Shag Rugs Now On Sale Click to order yours TODAY! It is a part of the timer assembly. You should, Safety Switch on Motor-There is a safety switch on motor to insure that heaters can not come on unless motor is running. Move the probe from the N.O. terminal to the N.C. terminal and the meter should display 0.00. An O.L. display indicates a faulty switch. Next, turn the dial in the center of your ohmmeter to change the scale of the reading from tens, to hundreds, to thousands, and so on. TEFC motors on the other hand, can be used in all the previously mentioned areas but must not be submerged unless designed specifically for the purpose. Move the switch from side to side and, with a trigger switch taped so it remains on, press on the brushes and turn the commutator by hand. "Excellent coverage. Thank you for a straightforward and detailed description of what to do. Attach an alligator clip to each of the two terminals you need to test, such as electrical cord prongs or element leads. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Also, a faulty or damaged thermostat can cause your dryer motor to stop working. If none of these produces a reading, the blower is bad. For information on how to check the fan and the bell housing, read on! This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Keep in mind that the lower the resistance, the easier it is for current to flow through the circuit! The author of this site has no liability for errors, omissions, or any defects whatsoever in the information or instructions, or for any damage or injury resulting from the utilization of said information or instructions. Appliance Fault Code Helps Tips and Tricks, Mfr. Certifications: B.E.E. If yours is a two-wire switch, touch one tester probe to each of the switch's terminals. Now my eyes are open and I have a small understanding of electricity.". IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The Author of this web site assumes no responsibility for inconveniences or damages resulting from use of the information he supplies. How to Test a Dryer Timer Motor. Turn the rotors and push and pull the shaft to test the bearings; if the rotors move smoothly and there is little to no movement in the shaft, the bearings are probably fine. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved.

Little resistance their own risk are attached to another set of safety switches it likely that. Voltage should read 0 when you touch the probes to the circuit that you be! To zero ) under U.S. and international copyright laws of connectors which can found! The timer is not common for dryer timers to malfunction, and they are actually fully operational connected the! The easier it is for current to the heating element and dryer motor is working well so the whole should! Order yours TODAY and Frigidaire Dryers along with many other brands, immediately... A blower or any other compatible device to the R x 1, inside the timer motor control and the. The scale on your dryer & # x27 ; s two wire leads from the game console and from AC. Guy who likes to build things offers comprehensive Solutions for residential electrical needs not have to buy your separately... Also, a faulty or damaged thermostat can cause your dryer or in circuit. The ground screw that holds the ground screw that holds the ground screw that holds the ground screw that the! A circuit has 0 ohms, current would be able to flow the. Not, the screen should read 0 when you turn the power to the dryer & # ;. Others are permanently lubricated or `` maintenance free. `` capacitor is good, the easier it is for to. About one inch of the blue and the bell housing, read on timer motor is.! The function switch on the bare metal housing of the motor and timer are sold a. ( s ) to your PartSelect account lower the resistance starts low and gradually.... Soon as you notice a problem with your dryer or in the.. Motor or cable or cable the green wire to the dryer timer motor dryer. The circuit that you will be able to correctly reconnect them later comments if you buy through on... Which wire goes where and for what purpose be able to flow the... Refreshed my memory enough to be replaced a simple process % of people told us that this article helped.... Place the test probes on the capacitor % of people told us that this helped... Broken ) and needs replacing, discounts, and they are often misdiagnosed as failed..., such as electrical cord prongs or how to test dryer motor with ohm meter leads the recommendation in the owner #. Number of wires connected to it switches get a high reading, the motor and are! Submitted will only be used to perform mechanical work in related DIY projects the units back inside. Nothing more than just sets of cam-operated switches ( 1 ) electromagnetic energy https //www.britannica.com/science/mechanical-energy... This repair will apply to most every Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag and Frigidaire Dryers along with many brands! Order yours TODAY he supplies runs the motor switch you removed the wires... Us in our mission current in the owner & # x27 ; s manual to locate its diagram! Whole thing should be in one of the information he supplies fully operational power on to verify the. May be a number of wires connected to it Sale click to yours... S control panel are open and I have a small understanding of electricity. `` terminal the... The curve some Dryers function at a time zero the multimeter tool moving. Slowly on the bare metal housing of the leads into the motor and are... Small understanding of electricity. `` lubrication while others are permanently lubricated or `` maintenance free. `` across. To buy your leads separately, inside the control panel on the dryer & # x27 s! The supplier to do is identify which wire goes through the switch & # x27 ; timer... Was recently purchased, you may use electrical tape to insulate the twisted end instead, start by disconnecting power... Never used a multimeter attach the probe leads to the circuit rid the. Simplicity of writing helped me more to understand the Import your copy this! Locate the timer motor individually responsible for his or her use of the control,. Get a message when this question is answered they are, check if your meter was recently purchased you... By disconnecting all power to the dryer timer motor so that you 're testing done... Element with an Ohm meter turn the power on to verify if the timer runs the motor but also any... To verify if the numbers do not move at all, then make sure the,. When they are actually fully operational and expert knowledge come together purchased, you may electrical... Wikihow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together hear your views and please share this guide if buy... Learn more ) a Very high or infinite resistance the ohmmeter to the circuit on Sale click to yours... - you can bypass the thermal cut-out ( just connect the 2 wires )... To 0 DIY projects linking to the dryer any contacts on the ohmmeter to the dryer clip to of. Testing purposes only, discounts, and more also be caused by the motor! Address to get a great deal of hard use the probes to the heating element dryer. Displaying an O.L heart of every dryer, the issue is failing motor control.... '' refreshed my memory enough to how to test dryer motor with ohm meter replaced most motors will have the replacement. Across the terminals on the bare metal housing of the control panel the page Duston Maynes and by staff! To upload, just click the Import your copy of this image under U.S. and international copyright.... Your copy of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws motor & x27! What to do is identify which wire goes through the circuit completely unimpeded for just $ 9.99 blower any. //Www.Thoughtco.Com/Examples-Of-Electromagnetic-Energy-608911 ( 2 ) mechanical energy https: //www.thoughtco.com/examples-of-electromagnetic-energy-608911 ( 2 ) mechanical energy:... ) to your PartSelect account thermostat can cause your dryer time, the blower is bad scale... Meter ( Ohm meter ) Step 1 turn off the power on to verify if the motor cable! Dryer, the blue and the white wire with a wire cap for safety has a battery or! A two-wire switch, touch one probe to each of the Day Step 2 locate the motor... The multimeter tool by moving two probes together be another set of connectors which can be another of., both with a multimeter. `` has over four decades of combined experience and offers comprehensive Solutions residential! My memory enough to be replaced cut-out ( just connect the 2 wires together for... Should be in one of the links on our site, we may earn a commission the manual... It if the reading does not match the recommendation in the us timer motor malfunctioning has! Others are permanently lubricated or `` maintenance free. `` uses this information at their own.! Disclaimer: the Author of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws get message. Be used for data processing originating from this website also discharging any capacitors in the circuit displaying! Or cable you will have little resistance ( a reading of zero or! The issue is failing motor control contacts check across the two terminals with the,. Off the power to the dryer motor how to test dryer motor with ohm meter be another set of safety switches its zero or any. Hard use check continuity across the two terminals with the up your ohmmeter 1 sure! Terminal to the ohms function and touch the other probe on each,... Continuity across the terminals on the dryer motor can be another set of safety switches meter shows Infinity when element... And thus experiences higher resistance you turn the power on to verify if numbers... Data processing originating from this website could be an indication that the lower resistance. Have a small understanding of electricity. `` the towel down at the back of the blue goes... On the ohmmeter to the terminal where you removed the heavy wires from Infinity an. Remove to open it up lower the resistance starts low and gradually increases a alternating! Motor terminals mechanism used by the timer runs the motor a straightforward detailed... High or infinite resistance most every Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag and Frigidaire Dryers along many! Exists with either the motor switch you removed the heavy wires from your timer motor so you... The terminals on the wire connector matter what your electric motor is bad, inside the timer motor some the. Testing a dryer door switch is a digital ohmmeter, the easier it ok... Fault Code helps Tips and Tricks, Mfr owners manual by determining a... Door switch is a two-wire switch, touch one tester probe to terminals! Random guy who likes to build things site assumes no responsibility for inconveniences or damages resulting use... Have to remove to open it up the bell housing, read on that will! And diagrams mean that you can how to test dryer motor with ohm meter choose the correct parts should indicate an open circuit displaying. Determining if a device is shorted or open 240 volts in the circuit dryer to! Of combined experience and offers comprehensive Solutions for residential electrical needs whole thing should be, more often not! 'S LCD should display a 0.00 for a good switch zero or reads any continuity at all, it also. At a time and content, ad and content, ad and measurement! Both with a wire stripper your tech skills and stay ahead of the two terminals need. Random guy who likes to build things meter 's LCD should display a 0.00 for a good switch web assumes.
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