How to Check the Thermal Fuse on a Maytag Dryer

Maytag electric dryers use a thermal fuse as a safety feature to shut down the appliance if the internal temperature exceeds the limit of the fuse. This helps prevent overheating and potentially causing a fire due to problems such as a clogged vent hose or lint backed up inside the appliance. Thermal fuses can wear out over time, causing the dryer to stop heating. Testing the small component with a multimeter takes a relatively short amount of time, including the time needed to open the cabinet.

Screwdriver
Nut driver
Multimeter

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the Maytag power cord. Wait for the dryer to cool if it has been in use.
- 2
  Loosen the screw in the metal band around the vent hose on the back of the Maytag. Pull off the hose.
- 3
  Turn the bolts on the Maytag's rear service panel with the nut driver. Lean the panel out of the way, against a wall. You can now see the thermal fuse above the Maytag vent pipe, with two wires attached to the terminals on the oval-shaped part.
- 4
  Slide off the wires from the thermal fuse by pulling on the metal connectors at the end of the wires.
- 5
  Set the multimeter to test for continuity, which is typically the Rx1 setting.
- 6
  Touch the two contacts on the thermal fuse with the two probes on the multimeter. The meter will register zero if the fuse is working.

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