Speed Queen Dryer smoking L1 to H power lead

[milo97]

Hello to the forum.

Model ADE4BRGS171TW01 Speed Queen. Has been flawless for 10 years, then the timer dial froze and the contacts broke when forced, causing a no heat situation. Visited the local oem parts center and replaced the timer, fabric selector switch, upper and lower limit switches, belt, and heating element, even though everything checked out with an ohmmeter test. I am a journey level auto mechanic by trade and just wanted a trouble free future. Two weeks later, (wife and two kids), the dryer has no heat again. The orange power wire from fabric selector L1 to timer terminal H is melted at timer terminal. It was slightly charred at the same terminal when I replaced the original timer. So I figured it was compromised and replaced the L1 to H wire with new 600v quality wire and terminals. Two weeks later, no heat again. Same L1 to H wire is now melted/smoked at both terminals equally. Dryer was still functioning, never having tripped a breaker, just no heat. Does any of this give a sensible direction for troubleshooting? I threw the old fabric selector out, but have the old limit switches. Little frazzled going into the holiday weekend with only Saturday to get oem parts. TIA

[evaappliance]

If the terminal is discolored you got a bad new timer . Put a new one on , if the terminal itself is not discolored  , your connection was not good. very important to have a tight connection on that wire. If you use crimp on ends without soldering them it will fail . Very seldom have needed to replace the other switches, and the element is probably good if installed properly, pull the wires off and ohm from the terminals to the body of the dryer just to be sure your element isn’t shorted to ground. Probably not but just to be sure.   Good luck !

[milo97]

I remember when installing the new timer, the H terminal was a dull gray vs the stainless shiny look of the other terminals. It still looks the same with no heat damage apparent. However, the L1 terminal on the fabric selector is plainly cooked, including the phenolic case at the terminals base. I did use crimp on stainless terminals from the appliance parts house, they did not have brass.

Thank you for your time evaappliance.

[milo97]

My local oem parts supplier is closed until 1/2/19. My selector switch is #511492. It appears to have been superseded several times to part #D513506. My only hope for a part right now, would be Amazon. But I do not see the correct switch available via them. Was looking for a brand crossover chart for what looks to be a fairly generic 4 position temperature switch, but cannot find one on line. Was thinking maybe another manufacturer's switch would be available on Amazon. Dear wife will be line-drying in the house if not

[evaappliance]

That is very strange, was the new timer sealed in the original bag ?  I have had to put a few selector switches on over the years but not to many. I would recommend using original parts.  

[evaappliance]

Also a new factory wire from the l1 to h is part # d510540.       You can get by for a little while by connecting the l1 coming in to the fabric switch to the #2 wire coming out . It will be on regular high heat. Just keep an eye on it till you can fix it properly !

[milo97]

I did use oem factory parts. I want to say the timer came in a box, but cannot remember. I tossed the old parts/packaging. I asked about a new factory L1 to H wire originally, and was told "not available" and just replace with matching wire and the stainless terminals. Thank you for the part # as I intend to order one. After looking at my parts receipt, I was mistaken about replacing the fabric switch. I did ask for one, but they did not have it in stock so re-used the original one #511492. I opened it up as it was quite fried. The center phenolic wheel/cam was completely burnt causing it to swell/expand over a 3/8" area. I believe the cams swelling caused full time contact of the L1 spreader bar onto the circuits contacts. So no way to fix the current selector. 

Thanks evaappliance!