Maytag Dryer Error Code 16

Error code 16 on a Maytag dryer indicates the control board has detected a possible open circuit in the thermistor. The thermistor is a temperature-sensing resistor that continuously reports drum or exhaust air temperature to the control board during a cycle. An open circuit means the electrical signal from the thermistor has been lost entirely, rather than reading an out-of-range temperature, which points specifically to a broken circuit rather than a sensor drift problem.

For homeowners, the thermistor is a small sensor, usually clipped onto the exhaust duct or mounted near the heating element, that tells the dryer how hot the air inside is getting. When the control board receives no signal at all from this sensor, it throws code 16 and typically halts or limits the cycle to prevent overheating. Without accurate temperature data, the dryer cannot regulate heat safely.

This code is most commonly triggered by a failed thermistor itself, but damaged wiring between the sensor and the control board is also a frequent culprit. The wiring harness can be pinched, corroded, or broken at a connector, causing the same open-circuit symptom as a bad sensor. Identifying which component has failed requires a multimeter to check continuity on both the thermistor and its wiring.