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View Full Version : Whirlpool gas dryer turns off and on by itself


VinnieV
Jun 18, 2012, 08:29 AM
My gas dryer turns itself off and on throughout it's cycle. I can not restart it right away but it will start back up on it's own. It does get hot and will eventually dry the load. Replaced the motor within the last year. What do you think?

drtom4444
Jun 18, 2012, 09:45 PM
These driers will do that when the lint builds up like concrete on the inside of the air ducts. Halfway doing it will not work. You need to totally tear it down and scrape out and wash all of the parts except the motor, which you vacuum out. You can go to YouTube to see videos on how to take it apart, but do a very good job or it will fail again quickly. I would get a new belt and change it while you have it apart and get some white lithium grease and grease any bearings you find. You need to clean out a drier every two years, at least, according to the manual. You just unplug the wires from the sensors and remove ductwork that they are attached on and clean the entire thing with soap and water. Make sure you go all through the dryer and get all parts like the blower fan and housing, vacuum out motor well and clean exhaust. Mark all wires you unplug so you know where they go. This is an easier job than you would think. My sister does hers at least once a year since she has five children and the dryer gets a lot of use. What is happening is that you have a re-settable safety, but soon a non-resettable safety will blow that costs about $40-50. See: Dryer vent cleaning prevents fires - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6wmD502-xE) and: Cleaning out a dryer with top lint cleanout - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBNDbyRm68M&feature=fvsr)
Cleaning out a dryer: By a woman 2 of 2 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a73HTFkcB90&feature=relmfu)
Manuals: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/8010163/Whirlpool%20Dryers.zip

VinnieV
Jun 19, 2012, 10:26 AM
Thanks for your help but I've cleaned it to the point where it is now cleaner than when it was new. Still have the same problem. No pattern, just keeps turning off and on by itself, when I start it. Thanks again.






These driers will do that when the lint builds up like concrete on the inside of the air ducts. Halfway doing it will not work. You need to totally tear it down and scrape out and wash all of the parts except the motor, which you vacuum out. You can go to YouTube to see videos on how to take it apart, but do a very good job or it will fail again quickly. I would get a new belt and change it while you have it apart and get some white lithium grease and grease any bearings you find. You need to clean out a drier every two years, at least, according to the manual. You just unplug the wires from the sensors and remove ductwork that they are attached on and clean the entire thing with soap and water. Make sure you go all through the dryer and get all parts like the blower fan and housing, vacuum out motor well and clean exhaust. Mark all wires you unplug so you know where they go. This is an easier job than you would think. My sister does hers at least once a year since she has five children and the dryer gets a lot of use. What is happening is that you have a re-settable safety, but soon a non-resettable safety will blow that costs about $40-50. See: Dryer vent cleaning prevents fires - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6wmD502-xE) and: Cleaning out a dryer with top lint cleanout - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBNDbyRm68M&feature=fvsr)
Cleaning out a dryer: By a woman 2 of 2 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a73HTFkcB90&feature=relmfu)
Manuals: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/8010163/Whirlpool%20Dryers.zip

drtom4444
Jun 19, 2012, 03:43 PM
Look at the schematics in the manuals and find the re-settable safety and check it out with hot water, a thermometer, and a meter.

VinnieV
Jun 19, 2012, 04:49 PM
Thanks so much for your help on this. I also ran the dryer with the gas off ( No heat ) and it still does it . I'm a little puzzled at what's going on. I have replaced the motor, the ignitor, coils, and the fuse in the back when I had trouble with this machine before. This one is tricky. Currently at work, should have time tomorrow morning to look some more. Thanks again.







Look at the schematics in the manuals and find the re-settable safety and check it out with hot water, a thermometer, and a meter.

VinnieV
Jun 26, 2012, 04:19 PM
Thanks with your help to try and figure out what was wring. I finally had time to look at the problem and have replaced the TIMER. It was the timer. Thanks for your help.