Hi, My name is Carol. I am am considering purchasing a used Maytag Neptune Washer and Dryer from the former tenant that lived here and so I have used it this week trying it all out. I need to give her an answer soon.

The Model number is MDE5500AYW and the serial number 62433979CT, I do not know how old the dryer is... she didn't say. I wanted to trouble shoot this before hand. Trying to get and idea how much it is going to cost me.

Everything seems to work very well except for the dryer's sensor cycle. When I select it and push the start button it always shuts off within 5-6 minutes. This is a consistent problem that performs every time faithfully!! When I push start the calculated time appears, say 39 minutes, then in 5 minutes time, it buzzes and then shuts of in the last 1 minute then buzzes again.

Do you think I need a different thermostat or??

Unless you are sure the dryer is 5 or less yrs old, let it go. Your repair costs will be 1/2 or more replacement value. I think your overheat safety is kicking in. Lint screen clean? Look at the vent outside, fully open and flows well?

Your Maytag was manufactured in Oct. 2003.

Maytag Date Codes (http://electrical-forensics.com/MajorAppliances/MaytagDateCodes.html)

What error code do you get?

Maytag Neptune Error Codes | eHow (http://www.ehow.com/list_7600739_maytag-neptune-error-codes.html)

Or,

Maytag Neptune Dryer Troubleshooting Guide | eHow (http://www.ehow.com/info_8120485_maytag-neptune-dryer-troubleshooting-guide.html)