[Zman3382]

This dryer worked fine a few months ago, then sat around unplugged for a few months while I was waiting to move into the new house.

I have check the plug, both legs are hot with the expected voltage, so I know thats not the problem.

I have checked the usual suspects and am a little confused by the results.

Both the thermal fuse and the heating element have continuity.

There are 2 thermostats. One is right by the heating element, and one is closer to the drum on the opposite bottom corner in the rear. I would expect at room temperature for the 2 thermostats to have the same reading, either both inifinite or both zero. Thats not the case however. One is reading infinite, and the other is reading zero. Im hoping this means that one of them is bad.

Is it okay to take a thermostat out of the loop and just connect the leads plugged into it together to see if that will let the heating element initiate?

Any thoughts on this? Thanks for your time.

[denman]

Here is a part breakdown of your dryer
Whirlpool LEQ8000JQ1 Parts List

If you look at the middle section you will see that you have 4 thermostats in this unit. Items 7, 8, 9, and 15

As long as it is just a two wire device you can connect the wires together to troubleshoot, just be sure to tape them up so they do not short to the frame.
All thermostats should be 0 ohms at room temperature
So it looks like you have already found the fault
Do not run the unit for any length of time like this as they are safety devices