Hi I need some desperate help fixing this thing. The dryer was working fine one day and then the other day I opened the dryer in the middle of a load and the coils in the back of the drum were still very bright orange with the door open (normally they would cool right down as a safety measure), This happened a couple more times during this load until I finally smelt a little smoke. Well I think that's when that coil finally gave up. I would really like to replace the coil but I don't have any idea what I'm doing. I've done a little research, and I'm pretty confident I could do it if I could get some help.

Thank you in advanced.:(

The fact that the element didn't cool down when the door was opened is troubling. It may mean that a safety switch is not working correctly. I would thoroughly inspect the door switches and verify that they are operating.

That done, this is a good place to start for element replacement (http://www.partselect.com/dryer+replace-heating-element+repair.htm).

Best of luck, and be careful!
WallyH

Hi I need some desperate help fixing this thing. The dryer was working fine one day and then the other day I opened the dryer in the middle of a load and the coils in the back of the drum were still very bright orange with the door open (normally they would cool right down as a safety measure), This happend a couple more times during this load untill I finally smelt a little smoke. Well I think that's when that coil finally gave up. I would really like to replace the coil but I don't have any idea what I'm doing. I've done a little research, and I'm pretty confident I could do it if I could get some help.

Thank you in advanced.:(
How would I be able to check the safety switch?

How would I be able to check the safety switch?
A quick and dirty test is to see if the switch sounds and feels like it is "clicking" when you open and close it (the switch, not the door!) by hand. If it is mushy or doesn't seem to be doing anything, then it might be broken and now always closed (indicating the door is closed) and must be replaced.

If you have an ohmmeter, you can disconnect the switch and verify that the switch opens and closes when you play with it by hand. (This is actually the best test, but I didn't think you had this test equipment.)

You said safety switch, and I'm talking about the door switch. There is a safety switch, but it is a thermal switch, and would be very difficult to test.

I hope this helps! Good Luck.
WallyH