Dryer help? PLEASE

[Toolhorder]

Got a less than 2 year old GE gas dryer. Was working fine until last week. The dryer was working and wife opened door and threw in more clothes and tried to restart it and nothing.
So far I've checked continuity on the door switch, start switch and checked for power at the outlet to make sure it's getting proper power.
I had to take apart the whole damn dryer skin to see if it had a thermal fuse or something and couldn't find one. Called GE's customer helpline and tech told me the safety fuse is the high limit thermostat???
That doesn't sound right. Pulled it anyway and I don't think it's bad because if I check continuity it has it after you wait 5-10 seconds. I'm thinking the heat from my hands causes this. It's consistent...

About to go buy another one but this one is really basic (I'm not a fan of the $1800 electronic dryer setups) and it's not even 2 yrs. old.

Can anyone throw me a lifeline? I'm drowning in this mess.

 

[Mr. Tool]

I am no expert, just advice, make sure that the passage way for the 'excess lint' is free and clear of lint all the way to the outside outlet. It usually is an opening by the dry'ers door with a screen that captures lint. I've found that if that passage way gets clogged (some dry'ers are designed this way, not all) that it triggers a sensor to shut down the dry'er and will not start till after it is cleared.
Another suggestion is it could be that the actual dry'ers heating elements have been exhausted (due to excessive lint clogging, no proper ventilation, etc.) and therefore cause's the dryer to shut down till it is replaced (I've replaced mine before no big problem to replace).
These are just a couple of things, from what you've described in your post, but again it could be something else.
Do a search online on problems for your specific model, I'm sure you'll find something that could possibly help you out.
Good Luck.

 

[Gooch]

Got a less than 2 year old GE gas dryer. Was working fine until last week. The dryer was working and wife opened door and threw in more clothes and tried to restart it and nothing.
So far I've checked continuity on the door switch, start switch and checked for power at the outlet to make sure it's getting proper power.
I had to take apart the whole damn dryer skin to see if it had a thermal fuse or something and couldn't find one. Called GE's customer helpline and tech told me the safety fuse is the high limit thermostat???
That doesn't sound right. Pulled it anyway and I don't think it's bad because if I check continuity it has it after you wait 5-10 seconds. I'm thinking the heat from my hands causes this. It's consistent...

About to go buy another one but this one is really basic (I'm not a fan of the $1800 electronic dryer setups) and it's not even 2 yrs. old.

Can anyone throw me a lifeline? I'm drowning in this mess.

Is there a wiring diagram on the back panel? If not what's the model number?

 

[Nostraquedeo]

Do you hear the motor turning? Can you feel heat if you hold the door switch and put your hand in there?

 

[davidlee]

If nothing is working at all then I think one of the high limit/ safety switches has got it shut off. There are usually located on the tube that houses the element. They are a direct contact thermal switch. You should have continuity through the high limits since they are just a safety switch.

 

[Jagmandave]

Is this one of those with a bunch of fancy contols, lights and buttons on the front?

Cause mine used to quit all the time too, when it did I'd unplug it for a few minutes, then plug it in again and it was like nothing happened. Ours also doesn't like it if you stop it mid cycle and try to restart it - the answer is not to do that!

Lately it's been working fine again.....

I followed all the online suggestions about tightening the connections and so on - nothing.

Took the top off and checked all the connections and everything, nothing helped except to unplug it.

 

[domain]

Unless she opened the door, held the switch in, and left the heat running, I do not see it tripping a hi limit thermostat. Ignitor is the first place I would check, ohms then power.

 

[Socophreak]

Theres a few things you need to check.

Is the unit actually trying to ignite? Gas? Ignitor (glow or spark)? Or is it just sitting there. Is there voltage at ignition module or coils? Is the unit calling for heat?

These kinds of situations, Make, Model, Serial will help greatly, Wiring diagram helps way more though.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Stupid question but Ive got to ask anyway,120v at plug/dryer plugged in?
Youd be surprised how many no heat and dead appliance calls Ive gotten over the years for simple stuff like blown fuses/tripped breakers

 

[6t7gto]

http://appliantology.org/

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I am no expert, just advice, make sure that the passage way for the 'excess lint' is free and clear of lint all the way to the outside outlet. It usually is an opening by the dry'ers door with a screen that captures lint. I've found that if that passage way gets clogged (some dry'ers are designed this way, not all) that it triggers a sensor to shut down the dry'er and will not start till after it is cleared.
Another suggestion is it could be that the actual dry'ers heating elements have been exhausted (due to excessive lint clogging, no proper ventilation, etc.) and therefore cause's the dryer to shut down till it is replaced (I've replaced mine before no big problem to replace).
These are just a couple of things, from what you've described in your post, but again it could be something else.
Do a search online on problems for your specific model, I'm sure you'll find something that could possibly help you out.
Good Luck.

I don't think u read his post closely enough- he said it's a gas dryer! Gas dryers have burners NOT heating elements!

 

[Gary S]

That high limit switch sounds very questionable. It should have good continuity all the time unless it is heated to an overtemp situation. It should not take 5-10 seconds to get a reading with an ohmmeter. Either the meter is giving you a faulty reading, or the switch is gone.

Try a temporary jumper wire across the high limit switch. If the dryer fires and runs, get a new switch and install it. If it doesn't run, take a look at your meter and the meter leads.

 

[Milton Shaw]

The high limit is bad from what you are describing. Some are on the rear air housing that goes around the back of the drum. Some of them are actually on the end of the heater housing on the lower right of the dryer. Take off the top, then two screws for the front and then you can remove the drum and check them. Belt must be on right to get the belt switch to activate.

 

[Falcon67]

When I have that kind of trouble with dryers, I make a little spade lug "patch cord" and jumper around the limit switch(s) one at a time. If the dryer starts, then you've found your issue. No need to an ohm meter, etc. If it's not that or the door switch, then if it's got a fancy control board your issue may be there. If it's a 120V modern appliance, you should have a surge protector on the power cord. Doesn't take much to wreck a digital control board.

 

[Aceman]

Why would you buy another dryer instead of just calling an appliance repair man?

 

[Norcal]

Why would you buy another dryer instead of just calling an appliance repair man?

Because this is a throwaway society.

 

[Toolhorder]

Because this is a throwaway society.

Cheaper at that point

 

[Toolhorder]

Figured it out finally.
Jumped around the high limit switch and no change. I decided to follow the power coming in to the motor and just start checking for any other problems I could see visually and I took off the front door/cover and noticed that there was an extra wire at the switch area I did not see before. Checked the wiring diagram in the back of the machine and noticed it's a 3 wire door switch circuit. Reconnected and then put the whole machine back together and it fired. One spade came off the switch lug and caused this whole mess. Pretty frustrating.

 

[D.J.]

Congrats on the fix!

 

[rogsmart]

Appliantology.org?? The ghost of L. Ron Hubbard is not amused.