Check out some similar questions!

eltrixka · Sep 5, 2011, 09:22 AM

So my dryer stopped heating up!! I have opened the dryer up and vacuumed inside. I've cleaned the air duct all clear. I ran the dryer with the front panel off and this is what happens. The heating element glows bright red, ignites and stays on a few minutes. I get happy thinking the dryer is working. But then the flames die down. After a few minutes the heating element glows again but this time no flame and it continues like this until I turn off the dryer. I've read that I may need to clean around the thermostat and around rear bulk head but I cannot see where these are located. Any ideas or suggestions what to check next or do? Thanks...

parttime · Sep 5, 2011, 10:19 AM

Eltrix, the first thing I would do is disconnect the dryer vent and see if the burner stays on longer, could be a plugged vent. Tell me how that goes. Good luck

eltrixka · Sep 5, 2011, 01:33 PM

Parttime, I did like you suggested and no change so I'm thinking maybe my igniter or heating element. What do you think?

parttime · Sep 5, 2011, 03:56 PM

Eltrix, you can check the ignitor with a volt/ohm meter, do you have one and know how to use it? Disconnect it and it should read less than 100 ohms, then read the heat sensor for continiuty. Let me know.

drtom4444 · Sep 6, 2011, 08:02 AM

You will have to take it apart and test the thermal fuse near the burner. Most likely it is blown and will have to be replaced, but you will have to clean the drier out thoroughly. Every air duct will have to be removed and scraped and washed out to remove baked on lint deposits which is like concrete lining. This will burn so the manufacturer has installed the safeties to keep from having a house fire. Driers were the number one cause of fires at one time. Look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMP7BW1lLs4 to see how. Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBiRw-KElC4 ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFTZGgVisCI
When you finish cleaning the drier and install a new safety it is best to also replace the belt, too, because you do not want to have to disassemble it again, and if the belt is over two years old you should replace it. The safeties are oval-shaped with a round center part containing the safety with two plug-on terminals for the wires.
Using an ohm meter you put a lead on each terminal with wires unplugged and if it's good you will have a reading of about zero; if it's bad it will read infinity.
Note that on most of the videos it does not show them washing out the parts, but this is important because it's the only way to really get the parts clean, just don't get motor wet or the capacitor if it has one. Vacuum out motor. I would move the drier out to your garage to have plenty of space to work. You also want to check your vent and clean it, also. The job is really easier than it sounds. There is no shortcut that will work; it has to be cleaned well. Before you re-assemble it make sure to use white lithium grease (high-temp grease) and grease all bearings. Just vacuuming out the dryer a little does little good. DrTom4444

drtom4444 · Sep 6, 2011, 08:03 AM

You will have to take it apart and test the thermal fuse near the burner. Most likely it is blown and will have to be replaced, but you will have to clean the drier out thoroughly. Every air duct will have to be removed and scraped and washed out to remove baked on lint deposits which is like concrete lining. This will burn so the manufacturer has installed the safeties to keep from having a house fire. Driers were the number one cause of fires at one time. Look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMP7BW1lLs4 to see how. Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBiRw-KElC4 ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFTZGgVisCI
When you finish cleaning the drier and install a new safety it is best to also replace the belt, too, because you do not want to have to disassemble it again, and if the belt is over two years old you should replace it. The safeties are oval-shaped with a round center part containing the safety with two plug-on terminals for the wires.
Using an ohm meter you put a lead on each terminal with wires unplugged and if it's good you will have a reading of about zero; if it's bad it will read infinity.
Note that on most of the videos it does not show them washing out the parts, but this is important because it's the only way to really get the parts clean, just don't get motor wet or the capacitor if it has one. Vacuum out motor. I would move the drier out to your garage to have plenty of space to work. You also want to check your vent and clean it, also. The job is really easier than it sounds. There is no shortcut that will work; it has to be cleaned well. Before you re-assemble it make sure to use white lithium grease (high-temp grease) and grease all bearings. Just vacuuming out the dryer a little does little good. DrTom4444