Fixing a Clothes Dryer

[dcarver]

I have a typical Sears, natural gas dryer. It turns on, the drum goes round n' round, but no heat. It has a good natural gas supply.

I've never messed with one before, but from viewing the parts breakdown, there's an 'ignitor' and fuel control valve.

Question - what's the simplfied, 'Dryer Repair for Dummies' theory of operation?

Specifically:

1. How does the dryer determine that a flame exists and to keep flowing the gas? A water heater uses a thermocouple and control valve; I don't see an TC in the circuit.

2. Should I be able to visually see a spark across the ignitor, kind of like a bbq ignitor?

Thanks in Advance,

Signed,

Need to wash my clothers Carver.

 

[TriggerT]

If there is a sensor plate on the inside of the dryer for sensing when the clothes are dry, scrub ut with a brass brush. I paid $50 to find out that little trick.

 

[dcarver]

If there is a sensor plate on the inside of the dryer for sensing when the clothes are dry, scrub ut with a brass brush. I paid $50 to find out that little trick.

Sensor plate.. what's it look like? Part of the burner assembly or probably inside the drum somewhere?

 

[Bustanut joker]

Don your gonna have mail

:jester:

 

[TriggerT]

Inside the drum. On mine it is about 3/4 " wide and 2 or 2.5 inches long. Exposed metal, and two separate plates. I am an electric idiot, but I would guess that the conductivity between the two plates tells the dryer the amount of moisture still in the dryer. They need to have the surface scored once and awhile from what I was told.

 

[Bustanut joker]

No thermo couple Just 'flame rectification' via the igniter. I've asked a few times how this works but my instructors just gave me an ornery look.

Prolly the igniter bar, or blocked vent sensor, maybe even triggers deal.

Not a whole lot to em. pm if ya need more info.

:jester:

 

[Ramblin Man]

First you need to check your ignitor. It will be behind an access plate usually at the bottom front of the dryer. Turn on the dryer and watch for it to glow if its the coiled spring type or look for a repeating spark if its the spark type. If you don't have the glowing or the spark, the gass supply won't turn on. My gas dryer had the glowing spring type. It was just replacing that element and everything was fine.

 

[twowheelnut]

He's waiting for your call, Big Boy.

 

[madmike2]

Er ess yew kud git a rope en lett the dang ol' Sun dry 'em close! Eye'm s'posin' yew gots sum wind uppit yer playce?

Mebbe yew orta be buildin' a far. Jist git yerseff summa them dry would en stackit, pur onna liddle juice-o-lene en lite er off. Be keerful yuh doesn't be scorchin' them wites!

:lol:

 

[Panman]

I worked for Sears a few years back as a service tech and it's a good chance that it is the igniter and they do do flame rectification thru it. The hardest thing is getting the covers off to get at it don't take it off just unhook the wires and do a continuity test or even a visual they are usually a ceramic type igniter and some times hard to see the break. Good luck

 

[Bustanut joker]

waiting for your call, Big Boy.

Didn't recognize ol' nut without his glasses, wearing a hat and no middle finger wavin'

:lol:

:jester:

 

[FJRBluesman]

Bust I'm surprised you recognize anybody!

Seriously. My neighbor was an appliance repair man and my solenoid went out that let the gas in. It would ignite for a bit then shut off because the solenoid was bad it shut the gas back off. He was right, cost me about $30 for the part.

Good luck.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Bust I'm surprised you recognize anybody!

Hey it's still early.. gimme an hour, got part of a bottle of MacAllans yet.

Seriously. My neighbor was an appliance repair man and my solenoid went out that let the gas in. It would ignite for a bit then shut off because the solenoid was bad it shut the gas back off. He was right, cost me about $30 for the part.

Good luck.

Guess he must be getting sumpin done, ain't heard back yet.

 

[dcarver]

Nothing going to be done till 2morrow night..

Truth is, was cutting wood tonight for the stove so I can keep my skinny bones warm...

..Thank you everyone for the helpful tips.. what a great forum.. :clapping:

 

[Jaycen]

I fixed my dryer off this web site.

https://www.repairclinic.com/SmartSearch/smartsearch.aspx

 

[odot]

Don't you just love it that guys with no help alway's have to chime in.

..Thank you everyone for the helpful tips.. what a great forum.. :clapping:

What's goin' on here? Why we always helpin' pups out? <_<

 

[twowheelnut]

Don't you just love it that guys with no help alway's have to chime in.

Where you digging these quotes up? Here, I get ready to tell someone to **** off and the post ain't even in this thread. Get me all excited for nuttin'. Sheesh. You ruined my day, Ray.

 

[odot]

One shot...............two kills.

 

[kaitsdad]