Kenmore Dryer F22: Exhaust Thermistor Open Circuit
Understanding F22
Your Kenmore dryer shows F22 and refuses to heat or shuts down early. This code indicates the exhaust temperature thermistor — the sensor monitoring how hot air is as it leaves the drum — has developed an open circuit. The board reads infinite resistance and cannot regulate heating safely, so it halts the drying cycle.
Kenmore dryers are manufactured by different companies. F22 applies to the Whirlpool 110-series platform. Verify your model prefix: 110.xxxxx = Whirlpool-built. If your prefix is 796 (LG) or 417 (Frigidaire), your dryer uses a different error code system.
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The Exhaust Thermistor
The exhaust thermistor is an NTC (negative temperature coefficient) sensor clipped to the exhaust duct inside the dryer cabinet. It measures the temperature of air leaving the drum before it enters the blower housing. The board uses this reading to cycle the heating element on and off, maintaining the selected drying temperature.
At room temperature: approximately 10K-50K ohms (model-specific). As temperature rises, resistance drops. The board expects values within a defined window. Infinite resistance (open circuit) triggers F22 because the board interprets it as a disconnected or broken sensor.
Testing the Thermistor
- Disconnect power
- Remove the back panel (most 110-series models)
- Locate the thermistor — a small component clipped to the metal exhaust duct, with a two-wire connector
- Unplug the connector
- Measure resistance across the sensor terminals: expect 10K-50K ohms at room temperature
- If reading is OL/infinite: sensor is broken. If reading is in range, the break is in the wiring, not the sensor
Thermistor replacement: $10-$25. Installation takes 10-15 minutes.
Safety First — Know the Risks
Gas dryers carry carbon monoxide and explosion risk. Even electric dryers involve 240V circuits that can deliver a fatal shock. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
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Wiring Path Check
Before replacing a thermistor that tested good, check the wire path:
Connector pins: Corrosion from heat and humidity can create open circuits at the connector. Clean with contact cleaner, inspect for bent pins, re-seat.
Wire breaks: The two thermistor wires run near the hot exhaust duct. Over years, heat makes the insulation brittle. The wire inside can break at a flex point (where the harness bends around a metal edge or is secured by a cable tie). The dryer may work intermittently — the broken wire ends touch when cool but separate as the duct heats and metal expands.
Board connector: The thermistor circuit terminates at the main board. Check the board-end connector for oxidized or loose pins.
F22 vs. F23: Opposite Thermistor Failures
F22 and F23 are complementary codes on the 110-series platform:
- F22 = Open circuit (infinite resistance) — broken sensor or severed wire
- F23 = Short circuit (near-zero resistance) — collapsed sensor or wires touching
Both prevent heating, but the underlying physical failure is opposite. If you previously had F23 and the sensor was replaced, only to get F22 afterward, the wiring itself (not the sensor) is likely the root problem.
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The Real Cost of DIY
Average DIY attempt: $150-400 in tools you may use once, plus the risk of further damage. Our diagnostic visit costs $0 — we find the problem and give you an honest quote.
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Cost Summary
| Component | Parts | Professional Repair |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust thermistor | $10-$25 | $110-$170 |
| Wire harness repair | $0-$15 | $120-$190 |
| Board connector cleaning | $0 | $90-$130 |
Kenmore 110 vs. Other Platforms
The thermistor part number is Whirlpool-specific. When ordering, use your full Kenmore model number or the Whirlpool cross-reference. The sensor is the same physical component used in Whirlpool-branded dryers — only the Kenmore model number label differs.
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Questions About Kenmore F22
F22 shows immediately at startup. Is the sensor dead? The board checks thermistor resistance before starting the motor. Immediate F22 means the circuit is open right now at room temperature — dead sensor or disconnected wire. This is actually easier to diagnose than intermittent F22.
Can I replace the thermistor myself? Yes. Unplug the dryer, remove the back panel, unclip the old sensor from the duct, disconnect the plug, connect the new sensor, clip it in place. Total time: 15-20 minutes.
F22 appears after 20 minutes of drying. Why not at startup? Heat-related wire break. The thermistor wire runs near the exhaust duct. A cracked wire maintains contact when cool but separates as the duct heats and thermal expansion pulls the wire ends apart.
F22 on your Kenmore dryer? We carry thermistors for all major Kenmore platforms and test the complete thermal circuit. Schedule your repair.
