A customer called me out for skipping the thermal fuse check on dryers

I was working on a Whirlpool dryer that wouldn't heat, and I went straight for the heating element. A homeowner, an older guy who used to be an electrician, watched me for a minute and then said, 'You know, you're gonna waste that part. The fuse is probably blown and it'll just pop again.' He was right. I had gotten lazy and was just swapping common parts. Now, I always check the thermal fuse first with my multimeter, even if I'm 90% sure it's the element. It adds maybe two minutes to the job and saves the customer money on a needless part. That one comment made me slow down and follow the proper diagnostic steps every single time. Has anyone else had a customer point out a basic step you were skipping?

2 comments

2 Comments

aaronlee13d ago

Totally get that... but honestly, skipping the fuse check is just asking for a callback. That electrician saved you from yourself that day.

wendy_garcia1612d ago

Yeah it's like that with everything now, people just want to skip the basic steps to get to the finish line faster.

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