How to Check if a Motor in a Whirlpool Gold Dryer Is Going Bad

Disconnect the electrical power to the Whirlpool Gold dryer by unplugging the appliance or setting the corresponding circuit breaker switch to the "Off" position. Turn off the gas valves to Whirlpool Gold gas dryers.

Access the motor through the two rear panels if your Whirlpool Gold dryer has a bottom front access panel. Remove the four screws that secure each panel to the cabinet. Remove the front panel to access the motor assembly in Whirlpool Gold dryers without a bottom front panel. Take out the two screws on the left and right edges of the panel. Set the removed panels and screws aside.

Locate the motor assembly below the drum, on the right side of the dryer cabinet in Whirlpool Gold models with the front bottom access panel. Look under the drum, on the left side of the dryer cabinet, in models without the bottom front access panel.

Set the digital multimeter to read RX1 resistance.

Disconnect the blue and white-orange wires from their terminals. Touch one multimeter lead to the blue wire's terminal and the other to the white-orange wire's terminal. Disconnect the violet wire from its terminal. Touch one of the multimeter leads to the blue wire's terminal and touch the other lead to the violet wire's terminal. Make a note of both readings.

Replace the motor if the digital multimeter registers no resistance or if the reading is above 4 ohms. Readings between 2.4 and 3.8 are ideal.

Reverse the process to reconnect the wiring and replace the dryer's front panel. Restore the electricity to the appliance.