Dryer: change 4 prong to 3 prong plug, not working

17 years ago

Hello,

I have a relatively new Kenmore dryer (I could find the model number if necessary) that came with a 4 prong cord. My apartment building has 3 prong outlets, so I went to Home Depot and they told me I could just switch the cord for a 3 prong one.

I installed the new 3 prong cord, with the middle cord going in the middle like it should (I think it's called the neutral cord). I installed it just like I should, according to everything I've found on the internet.

I tried to start the dryer, but it won't start. I press the start button, and nothing happens. Does anybody have any suggestions of why? And how to make it work?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! And please, try to keep any responses in simple terms. I don't really know much about electrical terms, and couldn't follow a lot of the things I found online.

Thank you,

AutumnRae

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Comments (7)

rpsinfoman
17 years ago
You are correct, typically in a three prong arrangment the two most outer prongs are HOT and the center is nuetral. At this point unless your comfortable using a voltmeter, the power source at the the receptacle needs checks, as the wiring may be defective. The voltage measurment from each HOT to NUETRAL should read 120V. You may have also connected the plug assembly improperly. Does the drum light go on? Is the breaker tripped? Have your landlord contact a qualified electrician and have the outlet checked out.
mielemiele
17 years ago
rpsinfoman has you on the right track.

I think it would be helpful if I add:

Inside the washer, the "neutral" terminal will have white or blue wires going to it. The hot leads will usually be a red and a black wire. However, some manufacturers will just use all red or all black for the "hot" and white for "neutral." (I personally have wired devices both ways depending on the circuit.)

The worse thing that can happen is you will trip a circuit breaker, so make sure the power is OFF before plugging in the washer. If you've made a mistake, the breaker will instantly "trip." If it does, just go back and try again.
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mielemiele
17 years ago
This is from a self help website:

Here is a link that might be useful: Wiring a dryer cord
hisalterego
17 years ago
sometimes it's as simple as checking your breaker
check your breaker to see if it's on
User
17 years ago
Be careful, make sure you use a voltmeter. The worst that can happen is NOT a tripped breaker its a burned out dryer. Destroyed, dead, paper-weight. You should read 120v between neutral and either hot and 240 between the two hits. If you're mot sure, pay an electrician -it's cheaper than buying a new dryer. It is true that it's easy to change the cord-just be sure you know what you are doing.
Allen Murphy
2 years ago
This just happened to me. try bending the prongs that plug into the socket. cheap cable just didnt have a good conection. now it works perfect
luna123456
2 years ago
The dryer had a ground for a reason. Many newer dryers will have a sensor to tell is there is a ground fault. If you disconnected the ground (The fourth prong was a ground) then the dryer may refuse to start due to a ground fault. It IS possible to be shocked by an ungrounded appliance. It is why a ground was added.

Dryer: change 4 prong to 3 prong plug, not working

Comments (7)

rpsinfoman

mielemiele

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