Hello, I need help. My 2002 Whirlpool Gas Dryer just stop heating. I have cleaned the lint filter and also checked the venting, everything seems to be cleaned out. ( Lint Free) if anyone has had this trouble and has some information, that would be very nice.

Thank you

What type of gas ignition does your dryer have? I believe some have "spark" ignitors and some are equipped with "glow" ignitors. If your dryer is equipped with a spark ignitor you should be able to hear a ticking sound when you first start the dryer. If your dryer is equipped with a glow ignitor you will be able to see it glowing white hot (usually by removing a panel from the bottom front of the dryer). If the ignitor is malfunctioning, the dryer will not heat... all it will be doing is blowing cold air. A bad ignitor is a common problem.

If the ignitor is working there could be a problem with the heat sensor. The heat sensor is a device that is heated by the gas flame and sends a signal letting the dryer know it is okay to keep the main gas valve open (just like a thermocouple on a hot water heater sensing a pilot light).

Hello Again, I have a Glow ignitor, How do I get to this, and how do I replace it?

Thank again for your help

First off... did you determine that the glow ignitor is not functioning? If it is not, replacing it is usually quite easy:

UNPLUG THE DRYER AND SHUT OFF THE GAS Remove the front panel on the lower portion of the dryer (normally just below the dryer door) by grabbing both sides of it and pulling towards you. It should be held on by a couple of clips and will come loose when you pull on it. If the panel comes does not come free when you pull it, try prying it free from the side with a flat blade screwdriver or small pry bar. Once you have the panel off you should be able to easily locate the ignitor... it will have two wires that go into a ceramic end. About the only tool you will need to remove the ignitor is a screwdriver... they are held in place by a small sheet metal screw. Remove the screw, disconnect the wires and take it to your local applicance parts store for a new one. It should cost about $30 to $50 for a new one.

The most difficult part of this job will be working in a tight space to remove the screw securing the ignitor. The good thing about the job is that you do not need to disconnect the gas line... but it is still a good idea to shut off the gas supply just to be on the safe side. Hopefully a gas shut off valve was conveniently located near the dryer when it was installed.

Help Again, Well the Glow light works, but the flame is only working intermitinley. So the cloths are still not drying.

Thanks again

This complicates things but my money is still on a faulty ignitor as your problem. The ignitor in your dryer is most likely also functioning as a "heat sensor" that is sending a signal that allows the main gas valve to remain open after the flame ignites. I have experienced the problem you are having (ignitor glows but flame does not remain lit). I solved it by replacing the ignitor.

You should be able test the ignitor if you have a multitestor: Set the ohms setting to X1. Then touch one probe to each terminal of the ignitor and you should get a reading of between 50 and 600 ohms. If the reading is either zero or infinity, replace the ignitor.

How do I get to the pilot light. There is not front panel, do I need to take the back plate off?