How To Repair A Gas Dryer That Won't Heat

Gas dryers are fairly unproblematic machines . With a basic understanding of how the parts of a gas dryer work and a little DIY gas dryer repair coaching from yours truly, y'all will be able to repair many gas dryer problems yourself. All tests should exist performed with the dryer unplugged and all wires connected to the part being tested unplugged.
(Note: Label all terminals and connecting wires before disconnecting them for proper reinstallation.)

Igniter | Thermal Fuse | Howdy-Limit Thermostat | Thermal Cut-Off | Cycling Thermostat | Thermostat Heater | Timer | Temperature Switch | Valve Solenoids (Coils) | Flame Switch | Burner | Thermistor | Wet Sensor | Air Flow |Gas Supply | Dryer Won't Offset | Dryer Noises | Electric Dryer Repair

Gas Dryer Repair – Possible causes
"Dryer won't heat" or "Dryer not hot enough"

Gas Dryer Igniter:

Gas Dryer Repair Videos

dryer igniter

The dryer igniter is responsible for igniting gas released from the burner valve. It receives electricity from the timer through a thermal fuse. For the DIY dryer repair person, if the dryer igniter is heating upwards it is not the cause of a no rut or low heat trouble. Also, if the dryer's igniter is non heating up, either the igniter is broken, or it may not be receiving electricity from the timer or control board through the dryer'due south thermal fuse to do its work. The dryer igniter rarely fails, but if replacement is need for your dryer repair, exist conscientious non to suspension the delicate new igniter or bear upon the part of the igniter that heats up. Oils from your peel can shorten the new igniter'south life expectancy. And you will be putting on your dryer repair hat again shortly.

Dryer Symptoms: The dryer won't heat.
Examination: How-To Test A Dryer Igniter Video.

Unplug the igniter and bank check for resistance through the dryer igniter contacts. A small amount of resistance should be measured in the dryer igniter to create the heat required for dryer burner ignition. If the igniter tests okay and is not heating, check the dryer's thermal fuse, flame switch, hello-limit thermostat, motor contacts, and timer, in that gild.

Gas Dryer Thermal Fuse:

dryer thermal fuse The dryer's thermal fuse is a non-resettable prophylactic fuse that is designed to interruption electric contact to the dryer'due south burner if the dryer becomes also hot. This fuse volition ofttimes burn down out due to clogged dryer ducting or a defective cycling thermostat. The thermal fuse is the well-nigh common cause when a dryer has no estrus.

Dryer Symptoms: On a gas dryer the dryer will not starting time. However, in electrical dryers, the dryer won't heat.
Examination: How-To Test A Dryer Fuse Videos.

Disconnect all connecting wires and check for continuity across the two wire contacts. There should be no resistance measured (a closed excursion, assuasive electricity to flow).

Gas Dryer Valve Solenoids(Coils):

Gas dryers use a set of solenoids (also called safety coils) to open the dryer'south gas valve automatically after the flame switch has opened, indicating that the igniter is hot enough dryer valve coils to ignite released gas. As safety coils are going bad, they volition work properly for a curt menstruum. And then after a half an hour or so of cycling on and off to maintain the drum's temperature, they volition interruption down and cease to open the valve, resulting in cool, moisture clothing at the finish of the wheel. Solenoids commonly need to be replaced in a gas dryer.

Dryer Symptoms:Dryer won't oestrus at all or dryer volition oestrus for a very short time then the dryer won't heat until it has been turned off for a time to let the coils to absurd downwardly.
Test: If the igniter is getting hot and cycling off after the flame switch opens, merely no gas is released, the coils are probable the cause.

Gas Dryer Burner Valve:

kenmore dryer valve Gas dryers use a burner to generate the estrus required to dry your apparel. These valves are extremely reliable and virtually never need replacement. The valve is opened automatically past a set of solenoid coils. In some cases, assuasive a propane tank to go dry can cause the valve to fail. Still, all other possible causes should be checked before the dryer's valve is replaced. The safety coils are the most common crusade of a valve, non opening. Note: A valve yous intend to utilize once more should not be opened for any reason because this can cause dangerous gas leaks.

Dryer Symptoms:Dryer won't rut, or dryer is not hot enough.

Gas Dryer Flame Switch:

dryer flame switch The flame switch (also called the window sensor) is used in gas dryers to guarantee that the igniter is hot plenty to ignite gas one time it is released from the valve. When the flame switch is cool, it is closed, allowing electricity to energize the dryer's igniter. But after information technology heats up, because of its proximity to the igniter, information technology opens routing power to the valve solenoids to open the valve and release gas. The flame switch rarely needs replacement.
Exam: To test the flame switch, support the switch's terminals with a pair of needle nose pliers while you lot disconnect the ii connecting wires. Check for continuity across the switches terminals. There should be no resistance measured when the dryer is absurd (a closed circuit, allowing electricity to period.) If the igniter heats up just never clicks off, replace the dryer'due south flame switch.

Dryer Symptoms:Dryer won't heat.

Gas Dyer Hi-Limit Thermostat:
The hullo-limit thermostat is a condom switch that will break dryer thermostat electrical contact to the dryer's burner or heater if it senses that the dryer has become too hot. The hi-limit thermostat will cycle the dryer's burner or heater off if the ducting has go clogged blocking proper airflow.

Dryer Symptoms: Commonly a very short heating period with a low drum temperature or dryer won't estrus at all. The hello-limit thermostat is a relatively reliable dryer component and is rarely the cause of dryer not heating problems.
Exam: Disconnect all connecting wires and cheque for continuity across the hi-limit thermostat or sensor set up.

Thermal Cut-Off:

dryer thermal cut-off The dryer's thermal cut-off is similar to the thermal fuse and the high limit thermostat. It will suspension electrical contact to the dryer'due south burner or heating element if it senses that the dryer is reaching an dangerous temperature. The thermal cutting-off is a set of two thermostats, one of which will not reset once cool. The thermal cut-off needs to be replaced equally a ready. If this set of dryer parts fails, you will need to check your dryer and home ducting for clogging. And bank check to brand certain that the dryer'southward cycling thermostat is operating correctly. This type of safety thermostat does not simply fail for no reason. If the non-resettable fuse has diddled out, y'all need to check and clean your home ducting!

Dryer Symptoms:Dryer won't heat.
Test: Disconnect all connecting wires and check for continuity beyond the terminals. The thermal cut-off should be closed (assuasive current to flow) at room temperature.

Gas Dryer Cycling Thermostat:
dryer thermostat The cycling thermostat is responsible for cycling the dryer'south estrus source on and off to keep a target temperature. The dryer'south cycling thermostat is a very reliable bi-metal thermostat that rarely fails. This thermostat is unremarkably closed, allowing electricity to catamenia freely. When the dryer heats up, it will open, breaking electrical contact to the dryer'south estrus source and allowing the drum temperature to drop slightly, causing the thermostat to close once more and reenergizing the dryer's heat source.

The thermostat's operating temperature range is identified on the part with an "L" followed by the temperature. For example, L130 would open (cycling the dryer'southward heat off) at 130ºF. A nuance followed by some other number, for instance, L155-10, would mean that the dryer thermostat would close after having cooled 10ºF. Faulty cycling thermostat symptoms could accept the form of very high dryer temperatures, blown out thermal fuses, or no heat. The cycling thermostat works with a thermostat heater to achieve lower dryer temperatures, such as low and medium heat settings.

Dryer Symptoms:Dryer won't oestrus, or dryer is besides hot.
Test: Remove all connecting wires and examination for continuity. At that place should exist no resistance measured when the dryer is cool (a closed circuit, assuasive electricity to menstruation). Cycling temperatures can exist roughly calculated with a meat thermometer held adjacent to the dryer's exhaust duct. As the dryer heat source is cycled on and off, temperatures can be observed.

Gas Dryer Timer: dryer timer
The dryer's timer routes electricity to the right dryer components or organisation at the proper time. Timers are expensive, rarely fail, and are often misdiagnosed. The timer should exist allowing electricity to flow to the dryer's burner and motor when needed.

Dryer Symptoms:Dryer won't heat, dryer won't plow on, or dryer won't turn off.
Test: Use your dryer's wiring diagram to check for voltage being supplied to the heating circuit or motor circuit.

Gas Dryer Temperature Switch:

A clothes dryer'due south temperature selection switch is a simple switch that volition send an electric current to the thermostat heater through resistors. Resistors are normally located on the wires connecting to the switch, but sometimes inside the switch itself depending on your model. In this way, the amount of current reaching the dryer's thermostat heater is controlled. Some dryer models will employ a thermistor and a carve up solid-state control board to regulate the dryer's pulsate temperature. The dryer'due south temperature selection switch rarely fails.
Test: Disconnect all connecting wires and cheque for continuity across the switch and all wire harness resistors. If y'all have a solid-land control board, visually inspect information technology for burn marks. Use your dryer'south wiring diagram for more than accurate testing.

Remove all connecting wires and cheque for resistance across the two terminals of the heater. Some resistance should be detected allowing the heater to perform its work. If an open circuit is detected, the heater needs to exist replaced. Also, bank check each of the heater's contacts to the outer containment unit of the heating chemical element. At that place should be no connectedness. If the heater tests okay, check the connected thermostats for continuity and your home's power supply for full 240-volt supply.

Gas Dryer Thermistor:

A thermistor is a variable resistor that fluctuates the resistance information technology offers to a circuit dryer thermistor with temperature change. In this way, the thermistor tin communicate with a solid-state control lath and give very accurate temperature readings. The symptoms of a faulty thermistor could be an fault code, incorrect dryer temperatures, or no heat. Thermistors take very specific resistance requirements that are commonly listed on a technical sheet located somewhere within your dryer.

Dryer Symptoms:Dryer won't heat, or dryer is too hot.
Examination: To exam a thermistor, disconnect all connecting wires and perform a resistance check. The correct resistance value must be identified for your model and can normally be establish on your dryer'due south wiring diagram or technical guide, located somewhere inside the dryer.

Gas Dryer Thermostat Heater: dryer thermostat heater
The thermostat heater is often located within the cycling thermostat. Yet, information technology may sometimes be a separate component mounted to the dryer's cycling thermostat. Depending on the dryer'due south temperature setting, more than or less voltage is supplied to this heater. Depression settings provide more voltage and create more than heat, while medium settings supply slightly less voltage, generating less heat. High estrus settings volition not energize the thermostat heater at all. Thus, the thermostat is tricked into thinking that the dryer is hotter than it is, and so it opens at a lower temperature. Problems with this system tin can occur when the temperature choice switch fails to send the proper amount of voltage to the thermostat heater, or the heater itself fails to heat the thermostat.

Dryer Symptoms:Dryer won't heat, or dryer is too hot.
Examination: Remove all connecting wires and cheque for resistance across the heater contacts. Approximately 3200-4000 ohms of resistance should be measured.