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Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the solenoid valve in your Whirlpool dryer.

This valve controls the water supply to the steam spray nozzle.

If this valve fails, you will get no steam action on the steam cycles, or you may have clothes that get wet because of leaking water.

This guide will work for most Whirlpool dryers. This guide is written with a model WED87HED dryer. If you have a different model, you may encounter some minor disassembly differences, but the overall repair process will be the same.

What you need

  1. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Safety Precautions: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Before you begin your repair, unplug your dryer.

    • Your power cord may have four prongs rather than three. The additional prong is a ground connection.

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  2. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Unfasten the top panel: step 2, image 3 of 3
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    • Throughout this guide, keep track of each screw and reinstall it exactly where it came from.

    • Use a nut driver to remove the screws securing the top panel to the rear panel bracket.

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  3. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the top panel: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Grasp the top and slide it 1/2 to 1 inch toward the rear of the machine.

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  4. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the top panel upward to separate it from the chassis.

    • Remove the top panel from the machine.

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  5. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Unfasten the cover plate: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the cover plate screw.

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  6. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the cover plate: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the cover plate.

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  7. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Disconnect the cord: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screws securing the cord cables.

    • Mark the cables with a permanent marker if needed and take a picture or draw a diagram.

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  9. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the cord: step 8, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the cord: step 8, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the cord: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the cord carefully down through the round hole.

    • Make sure you replace the connections correctly when you reassemble.

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  10. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Unfasten the cord terminal block: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the green ground screw.

    • Remove the cord terminal block screws.

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  11. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Move the cord terminal block: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Move the cord terminal block behind the rear panel.

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  12. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 11, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Unfasten the rear panel: step 11, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    FixMat
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    • Remove the rear panel screws.

    • Throughout this guide, keep track of each screw and reinstall it exactly where it came from.

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  13. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screw holding the main board bracket to the chassis.

    • Remove the screws from the top rear of the machine.

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  14. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 13, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 13, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the rear panel: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Put on gloves before continuing, as the rear panel is sharp.

    • Lift the panel about 1/2 inch and tilt it to the rear to release it from the vent pipe.

    • Slide the panel off the vent pipe and remove it.

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  15. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Reassembly information: step 14, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Reassembly information: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • During reassembly, perform the following:

    • Make sure that the vent pipe is fitted into the collar on the panel.

    • Make sure the tabs at the bottom are aligned to the bottom rim of the chassis.

    • Position the panel so its screw holes match with the chassis.

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  16. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Disconnect the water tube: step 15, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Disconnect the water tube: step 15, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Disconnect the water tube: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Push the retaining clip out with a small screwdriver or spudger.

    • Grab the retaining clip with your fingertips and remove it.

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  17. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Press the yellow sleeve toward the valve to release the water tube.

    • While holding the sleeve in place, pull the water tube out of the sleeve

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  18. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Disconnect the electrical connectors: step 17, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Disconnect the electrical connectors: step 17, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Disconnect the electrical connectors: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the two solenoid valve electrical connectors straight off the valve to disconnect them.

    • Be sure to grip the connector and not the wire when disconnecting.

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  19. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Unfasten the solenoid valve: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the sheet metal screw securing the solenoid valve.

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  20. Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the solenoid valve: step 19, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the solenoid valve: step 19, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Dryer Solenoid Valve Replacement, Remove the solenoid valve: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Tilt the solenoid valve toward you to disengage the tab from under the rim of the dryer frame.

    • Lift the solenoid valve upward and remove it.

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Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

Author

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Bill Gilbert

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