How to Replace the High Limit Thermostat in Your GE Dryer

The high limit thermostat in your GE dryer model DPXR483GAWW is a safety device that stops your appliance from overheating. When the temperature in your dryer reaches 250 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the part, the high limit thermostat is triggered, meaning it turns off the heat in your appliance. If the high limit thermostat is defective, your dryer will either not heat at all or the heat will prematurely switch off. Removing the faulty thermostat and replacing it with a new one is a repair you can choose to do yourself. If you do decide to fix your appliance on your own, follow the step-by-step guide provided below.

How to Replace the High Limit Thermostat in a GE Dryer

Before repairing your dryer, unplug the appliance from the wall socket or switch off the electricity at the circuit breaker. Wearing protective gear, such as, safety goggles and work gloves are highly recommended during any type of do-it-yourself appliance repair.

In order to reach the high limit thermostat, you must disassemble your dryer. Start by taking out the screws on the back of the control panel. Once the screws are out, lift up the front of the console to unfasten the three tabs that lock into the top panel. Rest the front of the console on the back of the dryer.
Open up the dryer door and remove the screws inside the door frame that secure the front panel to the top panel. After the screws are out, close the dryer door and lift the top panel off the appliance.
With the top off the dryer, uninstall the screws that hold the front panel to the cabinet. Before you can remove the front panel, you have to disconnect the door switch harness. Lean the front panel back a few inches and reach down to disengage the shield protecting the wires. Now that you can see the wires running to the door switch, disconnect them. Once the front panel is free of all connections, lift it off the cabinet and place it somewhere safe.
Now it is time to take out the dryer drum. To do so, remove the screws securing the sides of the cabinet to the support panel. With the screws out, reach between the drum and the support panel to push down on the idler pulley. Doing so, creates slack in the belt. Once there is enough slack, unthread the belt from the pulley and the motor shaft. Now stand up and use the belt to help guide the drum through the front of the dryer.
You have now gained access to the high limit thermostat in your GE dryer. You’ll find the thermostat mounted on the back, right-hand side of your appliance. To remove the faulty part, disconnect the two wires running to the thermostat. Remember to take note of which wire is connected in the front and which is connected in the back of the high limit thermostat. Once the wires are removed, take out the mounting screw that secures the thermostat to the heating duct. Pull the defective high limit thermostat out of your dryer.
To install the new high limit thermostat, attach it to the heating duct and reinsert the mounting screw. Once the part is secure, connect the wires to the thermostat. Make sure to firmly push the wires into place; otherwise, you will end up with a poor connection, meaning you’ll be forced to disassemble your dryer and fix the problem once again. After the wires are in place, you can start putting your appliance make together.
Start the reassembly process by reinstalling the dryer drum. Use the belt at the top of the drum to help guide the part into the front of the cabinet. Make sure the shaft at the back of the drum is aligned with the opening in the rear wall of the cabinet. Once the drum is in place, let go of the belt. Before reattaching the belt to the pulley and motor shaft, make sure the belt’s ribbed side is facing down and the smooth side is facing up. Now you can reattach the belt by inserting your arm underneath the drum. Once you make contact with the belt and idler pulley, push down on the pulley and thread the belt onto it and onto the motor shaft. Stand up and rotate the drum to help align the belt. Reinsert the screws that hold the side of the cabinets to the support panel.
Now you can reinstall the dryer’s front panel. Line the panel up with the mounting brackets on the base of the dryer. Raise the panel up a little bit and reconnect the wires to the door switch. Make sure the wires are secure before you lift up the drum to snap the front panel into place. Once the panel is aligned properly, reattach the screws that hold the cabinet and panel together.
With the front panel reconnected, it is time to attach the top panel. To do so, simply align the tabs on the panel with the slots on the frame and carefully lower the top down. Once the top panel is secure, open the dryer door and reinsert the screw that secures the top panel to the front panel.
Reattach the front of the console by lining up the tabs at the bottom with the slots on the top of the dryer. Push the front of the console onto the back of the console attach reattach the screws you took out earlier.
Now that your dryer has a brand new high limit thermostat installed, plug the appliance back in or turn it back on at the circuit breaker. To make sure your repair was successful, throw a batch of wet clothes into your dryer and start it up.

If replacing your dryer’s high limit thermostat did not correct your appliance’s heating problem, another part in your dryer may be malfunctioning. Unfortunately, a non-heating dryer can also be caused by a faulty thermal fuse, a defective igniter, or a damaged flame sensor. If you are not sure which part is causing your dryer to not heat, please contact us today to schedule a repair to appoint with one of our highly trained technicians.

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