On the covered Kenmore Elite and Oasis dryer, F:24 means an open inlet thermistor, the sensor that reads the air entering the drum. First, unplug the dryer before measuring. Then: the thermistor should read about 50,000 ohms, and a defective one is replaced. On this dryer the inlet thermistor is built into the high-limit thermostat, so the two are replaced together.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore Elite and Oasis dryer code F”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The inlet thermistor is open
What separates it The display shows F-24 and the dryer does not heat properly
How to confirm Unplug the dryer and measure the thermistor
- 2
A thermistor that is defective
What separates it It does not read about 50,000 ohms
How to confirm Replace it
- 3
Loose wiring to the thermistor
What separates it The harness plug is loose
How to confirm Check the connector
- 4
A high-limit thermostat that houses the thermistor
What separates it The inlet thermistor is built into the high-limit thermostat
How to confirm Replace the two together
- 5
A control board fault
What separates it Thermistor and wiring are fine
How to confirm Replace the board last
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- That the display shows F-24
- Whether the dryer heats
- The thermistor reading
- The full model number
Try in this order
0 of 11 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleUnplug the dryer before measuring.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleThe thermistor should read about 50,000 ohms, and a defective one is replaced. On this dryer the inlet thermistor is built into the high-limit thermostat, so the two are replaced together.
Unplug the dryer and let it cool
ReversibleThe inlet thermistor sits in the heater area, which stays hot after a cycle, so wait until it is cool enough to touch.
Check the resistance of the inlet thermistor with a multimeter
ReversibleThe control detects an electrically open inlet thermistor for F:24. The chart says the reading should be about 50,000 ohms.
Replace the high-limit thermostat and inlet thermistor if it is defective
ReversibleThe chart notes that the inlet thermistor is combined with the high-limit thermostat on this dryer, so the pair is replaced together.
Unplug the dryer
ReversibleDisconnect power before you reach into the cabinet, since the dryer's heater circuit carries 240 volts.
Find the inlet thermistor
ReversibleOn this dryer the inlet thermistor, the sensor that reads the air entering the drum, is built into the high-limit thermostat near the heater.
Measure the thermistor
ReversibleSet a multimeter to ohms and measure through it at room temperature. A healthy one reads about 50,000 ohms.
Replace a defective part as a pair
ReversibleThe table says that on this dryer the inlet thermistor and the high-limit thermostat are replaced together.
Check the connector and the harness
ReversibleMake sure the plug is seated and the wires are not chafed, since a poor connection can read as an open thermistor.
Run a short timed dry
ReversiblePlug the dryer in, run a short cycle and confirm that it heats and F-24 does not return.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- F-24, an inlet thermistor failure.
- Parts involved
- The inlet thermistor and the high-limit thermostat.
- Source
- Sears PartsDirect's table for Kenmore Elite and Oasis dryers.
- What the inlet sensor does
- The inlet thermistor tells the control how hot the air entering the drum is, so that the control can adjust the heater and keep the temperature safe for your fabrics. Without a good reading it stops the cycle to protect the dryer.
- Cleaning matters
- A clogged lint screen or exhaust duct makes the dryer run hotter and can contribute to sensor and thermostat faults, so clean the lint screen after every load and the duct once a year.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Unplug the dryer and let it cool before you reach the burner area
- !The inlet thermistor is combined with the high-limit thermostat, so do not bypass it
- !Replace the inlet thermistor and the high-limit thermostat together
- !Unplug the dryer before measuring
- !Never run a dryer with a blocked vent
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The 50,000 ohm reading and the combined part are chart text.
Exact questions
Common questions
What does F:24 mean on a Kenmore Elite and Oasis dryer?+
an open inlet thermistor, the sensor that reads the air entering the drum.
What should it measure?+
About 50,000 ohms, according to the chart.
What else is in the part?+
The high-limit thermostat; the inlet thermistor is combined with it on this dryer.
What should the thermistor read?+
About 50,000 ohms at room temperature, and a defective one is replaced.
Can I replace the thermistor on its own?+
No, on this dryer it is built into the high-limit thermostat, so the two are replaced together.
Is the dryer safe to use with F-24?+
Do not use it until it is repaired, since the dryer relies on the sensor to avoid overheating.
Is it a hard repair?+
It is a moderate repair with the dryer unplugged, and a technician can do it quickly.