People consider a Maytag Bravos dryer heating element replacement for different reasons. Some do it when the dryer doesn’t get hot, and others when it takes time to dry. The question, however, is how do you do it DIY?
Start the heating element replacement by unplugging the dryer, unscrewing the back panel, disconnecting the hi-limit thermostat, and transferring it to the new heat element. Then unscrew the failed heating element and fit the replacement before reinstalling the back panel.
So, replacing the heating element doesn’t take many steps, which means it’s something you can do yourself.
But given the costs involved in buying a new element, you may want to be sure that the heating element is faulty. As I’ll explain later, you can do that by visual/physical examination or using a multimeter.
But again, you must have noticed an issue with your dryer beforehand to think of replacing the heating element. The problem could be the failure of the dryer to get hot or dry clothes or one that delays doing that.
I’ll share more about troubleshooting the Maytag Bravos dryer heating element here. But first, let me help you understand the heating element.
Let’s jump into it!
About The Bravos Heating Element
The heating element is a coiled heating wire in a dryer whose job is to warm up the arriving air. Cold air blows over the heating element and warms up to enable the dryer to dry the wet clothes.
The coiled heating wire gets heated by an electric current once you turn on the dryer. But for that to happen, the heating element shouldn’t be burnt (which happens when it overheats) or broken.
Since the heating element warms the inbound cold air, its failure means the following:
- The dryer won’t get hot at all
- The dryer won’t dry the clothes completely
- If the dryer happens to get hot, it takes a longer time (longer drying time)
So, you wouldn’t want the Maytag Bravos heating element to fail, as that renders the dryer ineffective.
Where Is the Heating Element On a Maytag Bravos Dryer?
Usually, you can find the heating element behind the back panel of a Maytag Bravos dryer. So, you’ll need to remove (unscrew) the rear panel to access the heating element. Remember, it looks like a thick coiled wire.
How Does the Maytag Bravos Dryer Heating Element Fail? What Causes It to Fail?
Generally, the dryer heating element can fail from 3 issues discussed below:
1. An Overheating Dryer
This is the most typical reason why most heating elements fail. Once the dryer overheats, its heating element succumbs to the excess heat and burns out.
Ideally, a burnt-out heating element is defective; it won’t warm up any arriving air. The question, however, is, what causes the dryer to overheat?
Well, there are several reasons, and they include:
a) Insufficient Airflow
The dryer will get excessively hot without proper airflow, and the elevated temperature will burn the delicate heating element. In most cases, the poor airflow is due to lint clogging the dryer vent.
Lint from the clothes blocks the vent, which retains hot air. Sadly, the enclosed hot air is likely to burn the heating element.
Another issue that could deprive the dryer of enough air is positioning the dryer too close to the wall. It leads to the kinking and blockage of the dryer vent, and once that happens, hot air gets trapped, and it ends up burning the heating element.
Fix
If the dryer vent is lint-clogged, clean it properly. The cleanup is easy with a dryer vent cleaning kit. And if the dryer is too close to the wall, push it away to avoid any vent kinking. (Clonazepam)
b) Power Surge
A power surge can also burn the heating element, especially if heat protection safety devices like the fuse and breaker fail.
Fix
You may need to talk to a local technician when a power surge burns out the dryer heating element or other dryer components.
c) Failed Shut-off Switch
The reason why most dryers overheat and burn is due to a failed power shut-off switch. The switch could be the thermal fuse or circuit breaker, or both.
Usually, the fuse blows up sacrificially during a power surge to protect the dryer while the circuit breaker trips off. So, you need to replace the fuse when it blows up and reset the breaker when it trips.
If you don’t do that and your dryer continues to run, the heating element may overheat.
Fix
If the circuit breaker is tripped off, reset it. As for the fuse, you can know if it’s blown up if it fails the multimeter’s electrical continuity examination. Simply put, it lacks continuity. If so, replace it.
d) Failed Cycling Or Hi-Limit Thermostat
The cycling and high-limit thermostat shut off the burner when the dryer overheats to protect the heating element and the rest of the dryer.
Unfortunately, however, the thermostats may malfunction. When they do, they cannot turn off the burner automatically.
So, the dryer will continue getting hot. The more it does, the more the heating element burns out and fails.
Fix
Use a multimeter on the thermostat to check its continuity. If any lacks electrical continuity, replace it.
2. Wiring Fault
If there’s an electrical wiring fault, the dryer may overheat, causing the heating element to burn out.
Fix
Call an electrician. You’ll need their help to fix a wiring fault.
3. Physical Damage
Though rare, you could physically damage the heating element and cause it to fail. That’s likely to happen during its installation if you forcefully install it.
So, handle it gently, especially the coiled part, to avoid breaking it.
Fix
Replace the heating element if it shows signs of physical damage or breaks.
How to Identify a Faulty Bravos Heating Element?
Now that you know what fails the heating element, you may want to know how to confirm that the element is really faulty. Well, you can know if the heating element is defective if:
- It’s broken – That means you’ve to visually examine the heating element to see if it shows any signs of breakage or damage. Pay attention to the coil, as it’s the most vulnerable part.
- It’s burnt – Again, you can examine the heating element visually. If it shows any signs of burning, that proves its fault. And if that’s the case, you should replace it.
- It lacks continuity – By probing a multimeter into the heating element, you know if it’s faulty if it lacks electrical continuity.
How to Replace Heating Element On Maytag Bravos Dryer?
Once you confirm that your Bravos dryer heating element is faulty, you can replace it. Here are vital steps to follow:
- Step 1 (Dryer turn-off) – Switch off the dryer from the power and unplug it. That protects you from possible electrocution once you start disassembling it.
- Step 2 (Back panel removal) – Pull the Bravos dryer away from the wall and unscrew the back panel. So, you’ll need a Phillips screwdriver here. Once you unscrew the panel, remove it and put it aside.
- Step 3 (Hi-limit thermostat removal) – Use your dryer manual to locate the hi-limit thermostat and unscrew it. Then remove it and put it aside.
- Step 4 (Heating element removal) – Now go ahead and unscrew the failed heating element. Detach any wires connecting to it.
- Step 5 (Thermostat transfer) – Take out the new heating element and transfer the hi-limit thermostat (the one you removed in step 3).
- Step 6 (Heating element installation) – With the thermostat attached to the Maytag Bravos heating element replacement, install the pair into the dryer, assuming the thermostat is working (has continuity). If it lacks continuity, replace it.
- Step 7 (Back panel re-installation) – Reinstall the dryer’s back panel as it was. Screw it firmly in place.
- Step 8 (power restoration) – Lastly, plug back the Bravos dryer and turn it on. You’ll need to move it to its original position before turning it on.
Maytag Bravos Dryer Heating Element Replacement Cost
Generally, the cost of replacing a Maytag Bravos dryer heating element depends on whether the replacement is DIY or not and the dryer model.
Generally, it’ll cost you about $150 – $200 to buy a dryer heating element assembly or kit. That includes the heating element, thermostat, and thermal fuse.
But if you are to get the heating element alone, it’ll cost you $50 – $100, depending on the model. Now, if you decide to approach an expert, they’ll charge you an additional $100 – $250 depending on what else needs fixing.
So, DIY is cheap. It’s, however, essential to know your Maytag Bravos Dryer Heating Element Part Number to buy the correct part.
People Also Ask
1.Why Is My Maytag Bravos Dryer Not Heating?
Your Maytag Bravos dryer won’t heat because of an issue with the power, load, airflow, or components like the heating element, igniter, gas valve solenoid, or thermostat.
The dryer won’t heat up if there’s power disruption due to a tripped breaker, faulty fuse or power cord, or power outage.
The dryer will also not heat up if the load is too big (bulky) or too wet, the lint trap or vent is clogged, or if the heating element igniter, solenoid, or thermostat fails.
2. How Much is Replacing the Heating Element in A Maytag Dryer?
Depending on the dryer type and model, a Maytag dryer heating element will cost you $50 – $100 to buy. It’ll, however, cost you an additional $100 – $250 to pay a professional to do the replacement.
3. Is Replacing the Dryer’s Heating Element Worth It?
The dryer’s heating element replacement cost is not cheap. You could pay up to $100 to get the heating element alone and spend almost the same or more on a professional.
However, if you compare that to buying a new dryer, it’s cheaper. The secret is to try and do the replacement yourself to avoid the professional fee.
Closing Remarks On the Maytag Bravos Dryer Heating Element Replacement:
Now you know how to replace your failing Maytag Bravos dryer heating element DIY. So, the next time your dryer won’t get hot, delays heating up, or fails to dry the clothes completely, check the heating element. Once you confirm it’s faulty, go ahead and replace it.