Comments on: Changing an Electric Dryer’s Power Cord from a 3-Prong Plug to a 4-Prong Plug

By: Colton

Colton — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:06:21 +0000

Hi, I just changed a 3 prong to a 4 prong. After purchasing it, i put the black and red on the outside and the white in the center. There is a green cord currently in the top left corner connected under a screw and I have a green one on my end as well but does not reach the top left corner. I called Lowe’s where I bought it and they said that I can put the green with the white because white is neutral. Is this correct? Or do I need to somehow get the green one up to that top corner?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Colton

By: ken

ken — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:03:31 +0000

Thanks so much for the advice..this made it so easy I wish I had found this before trying initially

By: Carolinn Devos

Carolinn Devos — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:54:40 +0000

Hey, man! Thanks so much for the info on how to hook up the new 4 prong cord! My husband and I thought it was correct, but just wanted to make sure…it didn’t look exactly like your pictures, but it was close enough that we could figure it out without electrocuting ourselves!! Awesome!

Carolinn & John:)

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:52:18 +0000

Thank you very much! It took me forever to find the right web site. Once I landed on yours, I knew it was trustworthy. I am a divorced mom and had to do this myself. You made it sooooo easy! And, when I was done, I was confident I wasn’t going to burn my house down. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

By: Mechelle

Mechelle — Sun, 30 May 2010 18:33:14 +0000

We have a maytag performa and the wires are black and yellow together, two white ones in the middle and a blue one. We bought a universal 4 prong from sears and the wires on that are black white red and green. We have connected the black and yellow wire with the black, the white with the two white ones and the red with the blue, we put the green one on the ground screw , but the dryer will not work. What are we doing wrong? Please help

By: Tucson Electrician

Tucson Electrician — Sun, 23 May 2010 06:38:00 +0000

Wayne, you are an invaluable resource and your time, energy, and effort here are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

By: nancy

nancy — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:40:15 +0000

converting 4 to 3 I had a bonding strip using the green 10awg. I hook everything as instructed and my dryer did not work.

By: rodondoe

rodondoe — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 04:24:27 +0000

Thanks for the great article. …the internet is amazing… who knew you could Google something as random and lengthy as “Changing an Electric Dryer’s Power Cord from a 3-Prong Plug to a 4-Prong Plug” and get an exact match??!

By: roger martin

roger martin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:11:06 +0000

how to ground an in ground pool no latters or steps just one light pool is fiberglass

By: james

james — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 01:06:37 +0000

Just wanted to say thank you. Big,big help!!!

By: Greg Bockweg

Greg Bockweg — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 01:46:33 +0000

Thank you very much for this most-helpful tutorial!!!!!

My daughter got a dryer from a friend, to replace one that was taken when a roommate moved out, and the “new” one had the old three-pronge plug.

Of course we didn’t notice this until we spent 30 minutes getting the “new” one squeezed into its spot. At which point, neither of us was really surprised…I have the worst luck and have unfortunately passed this onto her!

But!!! The day was saved and the general bad mood was turned around after I found your posting, took a trip to Home Depot and spent a few minutes following your EXCELLENT directions…I truly appreciated the pictures and the wording of your directions…This made them easier to follow than almost any directions I ever come across with new gadgets, parts or repair attempts!

By: Duncan

Duncan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:02:18 +0000

Thank you, very helpful. Other than having to take off the top of the dryer to access the terminal block and the neutral wire being a huge pain to disconnect your instructions really helped. Seems like manufacturers could do a little more to make this process a bit more user friendly!

By: Wayne Gilchrist

Wayne Gilchrist — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:08:40 +0000

DO NOT put the black and red wires under the same terminal. This will create a "dead short" applying 240 volts to this one point. This will ruin your dryer and probably hurt someone. Call Lowes back and tell that bozo that he is not qualified to give electrical advice and he should stop doing so before someone gets hurt. I need to know more about your dryer before I can tell you how to wire it. My recommendation is for you to either use my DIY Electrical Wiring Help from a Master Electrician service, contact the dryer manufacturer for instructions or hire a licensed electrician locally.

By: Todd

Todd — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:03:48 +0000

Thanks for the instructions.

However, my dryer has a red, white, and off yellow wires on the panel with a green ground screwed in on the exterior of the panel. My new 4 prong cord has red, white, black, and green wires. I called Lowes last night and they said to wire it as follows…

My 4 prong cord red to red on panel, black to red on panel, white to white on panel, and green to green on the exterior. My dryer still doesn’t work… Is that the right way to wire this thing? Thanks for the help! : )

By: jason henry

jason henry — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:34:15 +0000

i have an estate dryer when i went to convert it to a 4 prong there is 2 white wires one on the board with the red and black one and the other is conected on a screw. what do i do with the other white wire and the green wire?

By: Carlton

Carlton — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:25:35 +0000

I changed my 3 prong to a 4 prong today. I tested it when I finished and it ran fine, so I put a load in to dry. It stopped working not long after it started judging by the wetness of the clothes, though they are still almost completely wet. Now it will not start. I saw a couple of others with this same question but no answers. Thank you!

By: Angila Adams

Angila Adams — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:16:25 +0000

Hi,
I have a really big problem; I have a Signature 2000 Dryer by Norge! I was going to change the power cord to a four prong but, can’t cause I lost the bolts for the wires! I’ve bought all different size bolts and can’t find the right size and just wondering if you can help me with that. I would be very thankful cause I got some clothes I would like to dry at home instead of a dang laundry mat lol

Till later,
Angila

By: Jayme

Jayme — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:59:49 +0000

I just want to say thank you for the picture step-by-step. It was very helpful.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:38:43 +0000

Thanks so much for the information! We have had trouble getting the washers off of the original dryer’s cords. In our efforts to take them off, the plastic peice holding the last cord broke and now is only connected by the wire. What should we do now?

By: Andy P

Andy P — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:44:31 +0000

Hey i really appreciate what you have posted on here. My local hardware store was about as helpful as a hole in the head. I have put this job off for weeks now because i was unsure how to do it and didn’t want jump in it and try things. Your pics and wordings were just what i needed.