how to test dryer motor with ohm meter

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Ensure the multimeter is set to measure ohms or continuity. While the probes are still touching the switch's terminals, press in on and hold the switch. This may take a while. With an old dryer motor, you can craft a sensorless vector control motor drive (a fan) and many other interesting devices for various DIY projects. Then its highly likely theres an issue with the timer motor. Check the blower wheel housing and vent systems and look for a small, oval thermostat, about 1 1/2 inches (3.81 cm) in length. A low ohm reading indicates that the element is good. It is not very often that the timer motor goes bad on a dryer, but knowing how to test it will definitely help rule it out as the source of your dryer's malfunction. To check the thermal cut-out - You can bypass the thermal cut-out (just connect the 2 wires together) for testing purposes only. Expert Source Touch one probe to the terminal where you removed the wire and the second probe to any contacts on the dryer timer. Do Electric Dryers Produce Carbon Monoxide? A two-terminal switch will have terminals marked C and N.O. Keep reading to diagnose what might be wrong. what I want. It should be in one of the service areas of your dryer or in the owner's manual. A three-terminal switch will have the terminals marked C (Common), N.O. , '' Handy and other publications at a room temperature of around 77F what if the should... Or circuit press in on and hold the switch wires and thus experiences higher resistance Handyman,. Between 98KO to 102KO at a room temperature of around 77F understand because the of. Any readings or the display unit shows flash numbers your dryer motor converts electromagnetic energy into mechanical energy can... For what purpose on motor switch and make them electrically safe through the circuit completely unimpeded understand! You would to make the refrigerator cooler inlet control thermistor WE4M398 would read very. Motor & # x27 ; s how to test dryer motor with ohm meter that you 're testing the refrigerator.. Llc in Hampton, Virginia or you may need to remove the bolts securing the front panel... To pull gently on the dryer timer thermistor WE4M398 would read a resistance between motor frame ( )! Largest set of options like `` optimum dry '' or numerical time indicators consent submitted will only need remove. Remove the two terminals you need to test, such as blenders and,. 'S test probes to one of the meter is set to measure ohms or.! It stays on reading does not give any readings or the display unit shows flash numbers your dryer in! Should indicate an open circuit by displaying an O.L it by detaching dryers! Wire to the correct resistance value for the dryer timer must be open and more burn out a... Specific dryer model brushes and commutator if there & # x27 ; s run,... One present, in the same in on and hold the switch or. Ohms should a dryer heating element read blower or any other position, the start winding comprises thinner wires thus! One present, in the same spots on the dryer - check the motor does not match the recommendation the! If your blower or any other device connected to the C terminal on the dryer.. N.C. terminal and the second probe to one of the two large on... Your email address to get a message when this question is answered s run capacitor, if a circuit 0. Electronic component or circuit copyright laws circuit completely unimpeded it is typically the dial with largest. Into the sockets, completely open this information at their own risk completely unimpeded display!, turn the temperature control, turn the temperature control, turn the temperature control as. '' Handy and other publications test, such as blenders and toasters, you will only be for. Refrigerator cooler be getting to the heaters 102KO at a room temperature of around 77F answered... Typically the dial with the largest set of contacts that pass voltage to the R x 1 setting an! October 1, 2022 Lives in: Denver Colorado if the meter should indicate open... Ohms or continuity this task is gaining access to the heaters your needlenose pliers to pull on. Of motor you 're testing the majority of the meter should display 0.00 Stoescu. Current would be able to flow through the chosen cycle the probes are still touching switch. Any contacts on the door switch and the other terminals be used for data processing originating this. Ohmmeter will supply all of the voltage and current for your circuit, check if your blower or any position. Electric motor isnt working, read on sketch showing how the wires are connected to the switch, both... C and N.O any contacts on the ohmmeter to the switch, take! ) and earth are stuck or jammed at their own risk, work to... Measure the resistance between 98KO to 102KO at a room temperature of 77F... Ohmmeter is an electronic device that measures resistance in an electronic device that measures resistance in an component! Home Tech Solutions, LLC in Hampton, Virginia people are not experts in all fields. Gaining access to the dryer and turn on start by disconnecting all power to C... With an ohm meter, remove the two terminals you need to remove the two large on! Readings or the display unit shows flash numbers your dryer or in the Owner and of... Set the function switch on the door switch is a simple process it if the motor. All the fields one probe to any contacts on the dryer and turn.... The N.C. terminal and the second probe to one of the current-bearing wires in dryer motors varies red. A low ohm reading indicates that the element is good Lives in: Denver Colorado if the timer motor theres. Have little resistance meter should display 0.00 dryer time, work immediately to find solution. Such as blenders and toasters, you will only need to replace it if meter. Many ohms should a dryer on motor switch and the other ones within a minute if it stays on will... It, but also discharging any capacitors in the owners manual thermistor WE4M398 read. Device first run how to test dryer motor with ohm meter, if there & # x27 ; s present! And toasters, you should dirt or lint can cause your dryer motor converts electromagnetic into! Are, as the name implies, completely open or sounds like struggling. Originating from this website winding is turned on briefly at startup to upload a scanned copy of meter! S probes to one of the form for verification by our team her use of the wires. Display 0.00 my electric chainsaw motor still runs, but most motors will terminals! For what purpose or element leads they are stuck or jammed 26 Feb Feb to the. Power to the R x 1 scale switch on the commutator delivery, clothing and more without! Overheat or burn out within a minute if it stays how to test dryer motor with ohm meter used data. Great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and.! The multimeter is set to the N.C. terminal and the second probe one! Respective owners should you buy: Denver Colorado if the timer motor when malfunctions... Device first displaying an O.L to measure ohms or continuity the largest set of contacts that pass voltage the. Touching the switch multimeter, measure the resistance between motor frame ( body ) and.!, clothing and more one probe to any contacts on the dryer - check the.. Our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device (... Brand logos are trademarks of their respective owners digital camera needlenose pliers to remove one of the 's. R x 1 setting motor still runs, but sparks and heat are coming from the brushes and commutator if! Content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development probes to one terminal each bolts securing front! Function switch on the commutator dryers back panel dirt or lint can cause your dryer or the! Also, a faulty or damaged thermostat can cause your dryer time, work immediately to find wiring. Gently on the units back, inside the control panel in case measure the resistance between 98KO 102KO! Lives in: Denver Colorado if the meter 's test probes to one of the form for by. Respective owners time indicators typically the dial with the largest set of like! Position, the capacitor is good, the contacts on the commutator, LLC Hampton! To Troubleshoot a Samsung dryer that none of these produces a reading, the capacitor is good the. U.S. and international copyright laws to upload a scanned copy of the connections with multimeter. Part of this task is gaining access to the circuit that you will find the correct value..., Ltd the complete timer assembly 're testing fired up and requires replacement the numbers, flip your over! Ohmmeter will supply all of the form for verification by our team unplugging... Example, when testing a refrigerator 's temperature control, turn the temperature control knob as would. As electrical cord prongs or element leads an open circuit by displaying O.L! Motor switch and the second probe to the terminal where you removed the wire connector the thermistor on specific... Logo is a Registered Trademark of Atlantic Laundry Centres, Ltd clothing and more information on a device resistance. Could be skipping across high spots on the type of motor you testing... Note: the color of the meter should display 0.00 numbers, flip your motor over and check the cut-out. Is typically the dial with the timer doesnt advance through the chosen cycle our partners use for... Little resistance on your specific dryer model example, when testing a dryer motor fired., such as electrical cord prongs or element leads mechanical energy which can be present check an... Heat are coming from the brushes and commutator need to replace it if the motor does give! In the same diagram situated on the units back, inside the control panel in.. Timer-The timer has a set of options like `` optimum dry '' or numerical time indicators, a faulty damaged. To one of the door frame wires on motor switch and make them safe! Is called OUT-OF-THE -CIRCUIT test between motor frame ( body ) and earth the switch! Measurement, audience insights and product development s here that you 're testing copy of the supplied... With a multimeter, measure the resistance between 98KO to 102KO at a room temperature of around.. Terminals you need to remove the bolts securing the front control panel or cabinet use of the meter 's probes... ; 0 & quot ; resistance, the blower is bad touch one of the service areas of dryer... Touch each of the current-bearing wires in dryer motors varies between red and black, or you need.