My maytag dryer, model ldg482 runs but the heat does not come on. The igniter comes on but the gas doesn't ignite. Any suggestions?? The owners manual is totally useless and I'm reluctant to call in a service man to look at it since I have a complete tool shop and all tools to do anything.

If you are lucky, there is a schematic inside the cabinet somewhere. If all the temperature sensors are working correctly, the timer should power the coil of the gas valve, allowing gas to flow and ignite. A sensor meant to shut the gas off if it overheats could be bad, keeping it from coming on. There could be a break in the circuit from the timer to the gas valve.

Do your tools include a voltage detector?

I came across the niftiest gadget for trouble shooting, a voltage detector. There are several brands. I have a GB Instruments GVD-505A, less than $15 at Home Depot. Touch it to an insulated hot wire, and the end glows red. Find the doodad that lights it on one side, and not the other, and you have the culprit.

I bet you might find that the coil on the valve is defective. You can check with a volt meter. Hook up the meter to the two wires to the gas valve and set the dryer up to start. When the ignitor coil is glowing there should be 110 volts to the coil. BTW if that does not work you may have to back track the circuit to the motor centrificual switch. It also acts lie a safety. These are the circuits to check first.