Dryer Heating Element 240V 5400W (Whirlpool OEM)

Description

Genuine Whirlpool OEM Dryer Heating Element 240V 5400W – Part 279838

Part Number: 279838

Replaces: 279837, WP279837, 3398063, 3403585, W10724237, AP3094254, 3398064

Always verify compatibility using your appliance model number before ordering.

Whirlpool Dryer Heating Element Assembly (Part # 279838)

Restore powerful, efficient heating to your laundry routine with this Genuine OEM Whirlpool Dryer Heating Element Assembly. This factory-certified replacement heating chamber (Part # 279838, which directly replaces a wide range of older part numbers, including WP279838, 279837, 3398064, and 3403585) acts as the central furnace of your appliance.

Mounted securely inside a protective metal heat shield casing behind the drum, this heavy-duty assembly houses a coiled nickel-chromium (nichrome) resistance wire strung along insulating ceramic terminal blocks. When your dryer initiates a cycle, high-voltage electricity flows through this specialized coil wire. The electrical resistance generates intense thermal energy, warming the air drawn into the tumbling drum to dry your clothes.

If your dryer turns on and tumbles perfectly but stays completely cold, or if it takes multiple hours to dry a light load of laundry, the internal nichrome heating coil has likely burned out, fractured, or grounded out against its metal housing shield.

Quick Info:

• Compatibility: Precision-engineered for Whirlpool, Kenmore (110-Series), Maytag, Roper, Estate, Amana, KitchenAid, Crosley, and Admiral 29-inch wide electric clothes dryers.

• Electrical Specifications: Rated at 5400 Watts / 240 Volts for maximum thermal output and rapid cycle completion.

• Fixes Common Issues: Resolves “no heat” or “low heat” complaints, infinitely long drying cycles, or a tripped household circuit breaker when the dryer starts.

• Difficulty: Novice to Intermediate. A highly accessible DIY repair typically requires a 1/4″ nut driver and about 20 to 30 minutes of installation time.

Pro Tip: Before installing your new element, use a digital multimeter to confirm your old coil is truly broken. Set your meter to Ohms (Ω) / Continuity mode and touch the testing probes directly to the two slide-on brass wire terminals at the base of the element chamber. A healthy 5400W element will read a constant resistance between 10 Ω and 30 Ω. If your meter displays “OL” (Open Loop) or shows infinite resistance, the wire coil is physically broken inside the casing.

Note: Whenever an element burns out, it is often triggered by an airflow restriction. Take this opportunity to thoroughly clean out your home’s exterior wall vent ducting. If heavy lint traps hot air inside the heater box, the coil will rapidly overheat and burn out again!

Installation & Safety Steps:

1. Isolate Power: You must completely unplug the dryer’s heavy 240V power cord or switch off the dedicated dual-pole kitchen circuit breaker before touching any internal terminals. (The generic instructions mention a “refrigerator,” but make no mistake—this is high-voltage dryer equipment!).

2. Access the Rear Panel: Pull the dryer out of the wall and remove the perimeter hex screws securing the large rear sheet-metal access cover in place. Set the panel aside.

3. Label and Unplug Wires: The heating assembly sits vertically on the bottom right-hand side. Take a quick photo of the wire layout for reference, then use needle-nose pliers to pull the push-on spade connectors straight off the element terminals and the mounted safety thermostats.

4. Unbolt and Swap: Unthread the single 1/4″ screw anchoring the lower mounting foot of the heater box to the cabinet floor. Slide the entire metal chamber downward to disengage the upper retaining hooks and pull it free. Swap your existing safety thermostats over to the new genuine factory assembly, slide the new chamber back into the exhaust tube tracks, and bolt it down securely.

Are you overhauling your electric dryer today because it is tumbling completely cold, or did the original heating coil physically snap and trip your home’s main electrical breaker panel?