WED8500DC4 Whirlpool Dryer - Instructions

Just before leaving for vacation, we discovered that the dryer was not heating the air at all. Its an electric dryer, so did the basic troubleshooting, put ohm meter on the dryer element and found it was open circuit. Ordered the replacement element and it arrived while were were gone on vacation. My wife and daughter came home early from the beach to get kid ready to go to college. They needed the dryer, so I was able to walk them through replacing the element over the phone.

Amazing that they were able to get this done, but really just says how easy it was.

Suggest you test all suggested parts first with ohm meter to determine cause of failure. Heater element was functioning properly, other parts were required to fix problem.

Followed the instructions on your video.

As per directions (videos) I found on PartSelect; 1st removed the bottom panel, then removed the housing (2 screws) covering the fan/lint trap area. Pulled the wires (2) from the heating element and removed three screws, 1 on the side of the housing immediately behind the heating element terminals, and 2 screws holding the stamped steel riser in place. I didn't have to remove the entire heater housing, but rather wiggled the heating element out slowly. For that I used a pair of pliers to grip the element and a gloved hand to hold the housing steady while I pulled one side then the other. I spent some time vacuuming out all the dust while I was in there. Replacing the element was a little easier, it slid in with firm hand pressure. Then just a matter of reversing the steps above. Wife was happy and once again, I am a hero.

Removed toe plate, make sure and use something like a 5 in 1 painters tool, makes the job easier as you will see a notch inside the seam between toe plate and outer shell, take 1 screw from heater tube cover I used a nut driver, this job is best to use with a stubby socket set, there are 2 machine screws with hex heads holding the heating element to the heating tube, you cant really see the heads but can feel them with your fingers, disconnect the 2 terminals in front of this, but make sure you use a blue or black sharpie to mark the terminals, use your stubby and remove screws, then use a set of needle nose pliers and pull out the heating element, the new heating element slide right in the grooves then reverse the take off process, good luck

Everything worked perfectly---thanks to the suggestion of your call center agent. She suggested that since the replacement door handles were no longer available, I should consider repainting them--it worked like a charm. Please tell her she was a life saver. We rent that house in Fl and my returning tenants had complained about the discoloring refer handles. Thank you

Removed back panel to get to inside. Removed drum etc to replace drum rollers (ordered repair kit also), replaced the idler pulley etc, now like new. Repair successful!!!! Thank you!

Took bottom accesses panel off dryer (two screws). To the right was heating element housing. Three screws to remove inside. One at the bottom of houseing bracket (holds up heating element housing) which connects to dryer cabinet floor. One at top of bracket (connects to bottom of heating element housing). One on the left side where the elements wires connect (screw goes through housing then through element side arm). Once the three screws are removed disconnect wires and pull element stright towards you. Once everything was diasembled I took shopvac in side machine and swept it all out. Just reassble the same way you took apart.

I watched your online repair video, which was excellent. As I started the repair, it was exactly as described in the video....very easy. The only thing I did differently was clean out the mechanical compartment of the dryer with a shop vac.....simply because it was full of lint. There is nothing I won't try to fix; but this job can be done by anyone. Do it yourself; don't spend the money to have someone else do it.

I ordered the Part on Wednesday night, it arrived on Saturday, and was installed by Monday by my husband. This was the best service I have seen in a good while. Kudos to you!

Disconnected dryer from power source. Removed bottom panel on dryer. Removed three screws. Disconnected two wires on heating element. Pulled heating element out. Attached new heating element. Success!

Opened the bottom section removed the heater element replaced it and boom!! It works!!!!!

Remove two screws holding front panel of dryer. Heating element is on right side, in a protective tube. Remove the six wires connected to the tube, noting their placement. Remove two screws from front metal bracket holding in the tube. Pull tube out. One screw is holding the heating element in the tube, so remove that and you can replace the element. Then reverse to put it all back together. Clean out all of the lint inside the dryer.

Being from the old school where we never assume to know what the problem was, so took out the heating element to inspect which I found that the element had a broken coil which confermed my suspicions. I ordered a new element on Saturday from paRts select on Saturday and recieved it on Wednesday Ann the rest was a matter of reassembling which was a breeze since I foot plenty of pictures.

First, we unclogged the blocked duct (which, is apparently what burned up the heating unit in the first place!), then, we took off the front of the dryer panel; then we loosened up the heating unit's case and took out the existing heating unit. It was apparent why it wasn't working. You'll have to see yours for yourself. Then, we installed the new unit, put the heat shield back on, closed up the dryer and turned it on. No heat... oops because we forgot to put the electricity to the unit... so we took the panel back off, then plugged the wires up to the heating unit, as we should have the first time, closed up the panel, and voila! The dryer was working again, and for a major fraction of the cost of replacing the thing! 45 dollars instead of 800. Well worth the time! And the 14 year old did the repair. Explains the first plug in mishap, but also taught him a good skill!!!