I have a 3 yr old GE gas dryer that stops drying and turns off at different times during the selected cycle and will not come back on immediately. After a few minutes you can turn it back on and it will start drying again. I have cleaned the airway through the duct and still an issue. Can someone tell me what they think this might be ?

Thanks

Dryers, washing machines, dishwashers,. all use simple timing motors to advance their program. They are a bit like a music book if you've ever taken one apart. As the wheel moves forward it has cogs or electrical switches that open and close. It sounds to me that your timer motor is sticky/stopping. The average homeowner should not try to repair a timer, just replace it. Check you yellow pages for a washer/dryer parts store. They are usually very helpful in finding an OEM part.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, ... all use simple timing motors to advance their program. They are a bit like a music book if you've ever taken one apart. As the wheel moves forward it has cogs or electrical switches that open and close. It sounds to me that your timer motor is sticky/stopping. The average homeowner should not try to repair a timer, just replace it. Check you yellow pages for a washer/dryer parts store. They are usually very helpful in finding an OEM part.

---

Thanks, Is the timer motor the actual components behind the knob I turn to set the time ?

Yes, the knob is the outside of the timer. Most machines will allow you to open the back of the "tower" part of the machine. Removal is pretty straight forward since nearly all use a wiring harness that unplugs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Yes, the knob is the outside of the timer. Most machines will allow you to open the back of the "tower" part of the machine. Removal is pretty straight forward since nearly all use a wiring harness that unplugs.

---

Thanks. If it's the timer I wonder why it will not turn on immediately. Any ideas ?

When the timer goes bad it can be several issues. The small motor that turns the timer can stop. However, the timer wheel or cogs can develop dead spots. I currently have a GE dishwasher that will stop in the same part of the cycle 1 out of 5 times. I have a dead, or at least dying, spot.

You could possibly had a bad main motor that overheating.Usually lint build up inside around the motor causing it to overheat then shut down.There is an overload inside the motor that tripped when get too hot. It will reset when cool down.