Old timer's tip about dryer thermostats, I was dead wrong

So this retired HVAC guy, Ed, told me at a parts counter in Akron that most dryer no-heat calls aren't the element, it's the high-limit thermostat creeping out of spec. I laughed it off because I'd replaced two elements that week and figured he was just old school. Finally had a customer whose element looked perfect, ohmed out fine, and I was stumped. I remembered what Ed said, popped the thermostat in my freezer for 10 minutes, and sure enough it read open at 45 degrees instead of closing like it should. That one $14 part fixed a job I would've misdiagnosed and called back on. Now I check those thermostats first before I even touch the element, saved me at least three callbacks since. Anyone else have a stubborn habit that a seasoned guy had to shake you out of?

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graceprice1d ago

Freezer test only works on some thermostats, most need a heat gun to reset.