Gas dryer won't heat troubleshooting video

Tools and parts needed

• Phillips screwdriver

• Slot screwdriver

• Nut driver

• Dryer lint brush

• Multimeter

• Flame sensor

• Gas valve coils

• High-limit thermostat

• Operating thermostat

• Thermal cut-off fuse

• Timer

• Igniter

Hi, my name is Wayne from Sears PartsDirect. Today, we're going to talk about troubleshooting a gas dryer that has no heat but runs. There are a few things that could keep your dryer from heating up. You might have a problem with the gas supply to the dryer, or problems with the flame sensor, gas valve coils, high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse, thermal fuse, igniter or timer. I know that sounds like a lot, but don’t worry, we’ll help you work through it.

Check gas supply, burner igniter and coils

First, let’s make sure your gas supply line is connected, turned on and working. If the gas supply is fine, we’ll check the burner igniter next. Remove the burner sight plug from the lower left corner of the front panel. Set the timer control for a timed dry, high heat and start the dryer.

Peek through that hole to see if the igniter is glowing. If the igniter glows but the burner doesn’t light, then at least you know all the components in the control circuit are getting power. Watch the igniter for several minutes to see if it stays lit or fades off. The igniter should fade off to divert electric current through the gas valve coils to light the burner when the flame sensor detects that the igniter is hot enough.

When the flame sensor opens, electric current flows through the gas valve coils and the burner ignites. If the igniter glows constantly for 5 minutes, you'll need to replace the flame sensor because it isn't shutting off the igniter to divert current through the gas valve coils. Here’s a video on how to do that. If instead, the glow faded away after a couple of minutes, you’ll probably need to replace your gas valve coils. Here’s a video that will show you how. 

Multimeter checks

Now, on the other hand, if the igniter didn’t glow at all, we’ll need to check the components in the control circuit. Checking continuity with a multimeter will allow us to test them all at once. First, unplug the dryer.

For safety, always disconnect power before checking continuity. Remove the back panel from the dryer, then remove the back of the control panel. Pull the wire harness plug with red, black and blue wires off the timer and the light blue wire from the thermal fuse. Set the multimeter to read ohms of resistance and measure continuity between the red wire and the blue spade on the thermal fuse.

If you read near 0 ohms, we know that the high-limit thermostat, operating thermostat, thermal cut-off fuse and the thermal fuse are all okay. You can skip ahead in this video and learn how to check your timer.

High-limit thermostat

If you measured no electrical continuity, which is an "OL" on this multimeter, then we’ll need to check those individual parts. We’ll check the high-limit thermostat next. Place one meter lead on each of the high-limit thermostat terminals. You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance.

If you measured no continuity, then the high-limit thermostat will need to be replaced. (The high-limit thermostat is part of the thermal cut-off fuse kit.) 

Operating thermostat

If your high-limit thermostat has continuity, we’ll check the operating thermostat next. Place one meter lead on the red wire and the other on the red and white wire. You should measure near 0 ohms. If you measure no continuity, then the operating thermostat is defective. Replace it.

Thermal cut-off fuse

If your operating thermostat’s okay, we’ll move on to the thermal cut-off fuse. Put one meter lead on the red-white wire and the other on the red wire. You should measure near 0 ohms. If you measured no continuity, then you’ll need to replace the thermal cut-off fuse.

Thermal fuse and lint clogs

If your thermal cut-off fuse is okay, then we’ll move on to the thermal fuse. Put one meter lead on the red wire and the other meter lead on the light blue wire. You should measure near 0 ohms. If you measured no continuity, you’ll need to replace the thermal fuse.

Here’s something to keep in mind. More often than not, if you blew a thermal fuse, it’s because your exhaust vent is clogged with lint. Before you hook your dryer back up, check your vent and clean it out with a lint brush.

Timer

If all those components have checked out, we’ll check the timer. With the dryer still disconnected, turn the timer to timed dry, high heat. Place one meter lead on terminal "A" with the red wire and the other on terminal "C" with the black wire. If you measure near 0 ohms, then the timer is okay. If you measure no continuity, then the timer contacts are bad and the timer will need to be replaced.  Here’s a video showing you how.

Igniter

If you still haven’t found the problem, then you'll need to check the igniter and flame sensor for continuity. Shut off the gas supply and remove the front panel to access these components. Pull out the lint screen. Remove the screws that secure the lint screen housing to the top panel. Release the clips and raise the top panel. Unplug the door switch from the wire harness. Remove the two screws securing the front panel to the cabinet. Tilt the front panel up and lift it out the way. Note the configuration of the belt on the idler pulley and the motor pulley before removing it.

Push the idler pulley to the right to release tension on the drive belt. Pull the drive belt off the idler pulley and the motor pulley. Pull the drum out of the dryer and set it aside. Unplug the wire harness from the igniter.

Place one meter lead on each terminal of the igniter. You should measure some resistance reading between 4 and 400 ohms through the igniter. If the igniter's open, an “OL” on the meter, replace it. Here's a video that shows you how.

Flame sensor

If the igniter's okay, check the flame sensor next. Remove one of the wires from the flame sensor. Place one meter lead on each terminal of the flame sensor. You should measure near 0 ohms of the resistance through the flame sensor. If the flame sensor's open, replace it.

If you made it all the way though and you still haven’t found out why your gas dryer is not getting hot, you could have a defective motor centrifugal switch or a wiring failure in the heating circuit. You would need a service technician to check this out for you.

Hey, thanks for watching. Check out our other repair videos here on the Sears PartsDirect YouTube channel, and if you like them, subscribe.