Dryer repair can be a rewarding experience for the professional or home DIYer. You can save money and gain valuable knowledge and experience. Here are the steps to complete some of the most common dryer repairs.
Safety:
a) Before attempting any dryer repair disconnect electrical power by removing the AC cord from the wall outlet. A small socket can easily carry 150 times the current needed to kill a person.
b) Wear cut or tear resistant gloves to protect your hands. There are many sharp edges to the sheet metal that can easily draw blood.
c) Wear knee pads to prevent your knees from getting stained.
Prevention:
a) Proper maintenance and care are essential for your dryer to function efficiently. Improper care will overwork your unit by using more electricity to keep your clothes dry than if it is properly maintained. By following these tips, you can extend the life of your clothes dryer, prevent fires, and avoid many costly repairs.
b) Make sure the dryer feet are level to avoid an imbalance in the machine that can cause loud noises and increased dryer wear.
c) Empty the lint filter after use for efficient drying and fire prevention. Remove anything else that could prevent good air flow. Be sure to clean the back of the dryer where lint is deposited.
d) Vent your dryer to the outside, never ventilate the inside. Clean the exhaust vent system at least once a year to remove obstructions or other obstructions that may impede good air flow. Never ventilate with plastic or vinyl. Many people hire a professional to ventilate and repair their dryer annually. Trained technicians can clean all interior and exterior dryer ducts for a smooth running system and help prevent fires. Note: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually.
e) Do not place foam-backed rugs, rubber or plastic shoes, or other heat-sensitive items in dryers. Also, to prevent fire, do not put clothes or other items stained with flammable substances such as gasoline and alcohol. Check clothing pockets for crayons and other heat-sensitive items that can ruin other clothing.
f) Do not overload the dryer. This can eventually burn out the engine.
Component Replacement: Before beginning any appliance repair task, find the model number of your appliance. The dryer model number label is located inside the door on the frame. On some of the Maytag models, the label is located on the back of the overhead console. Make a note of the model number and find the parts breakdown diagram on an online parts supply website.
Replacing the igniter: Symptoms of a faulty flame igniter include: drying clothes without heat, excessive drying time, and / or intermittent heat.
a) Locate the lighter on the parts diagram.
b) Remove the panels to access the dryer igniter.
c) Remove the cigarette lighter plug and route the multimeter leads to each pole of the cigarette lighter leads. Make sure your multimeter is on the ohm scale. If it measures “open”, replace the igniter. If it does not measure “open”, this does not guarantee that the lighter is good. Lighters operate on a safety principle. The current travels through the lighter to the gas valve. The gas valve is calibrated to open at a specified current. As the lighter burns hotter and hotter, the resistance decreases, allowing more current to flow to the gas valve until the current threshold is reached and gas flow occurs. So you can measure a good ohm reading on a faulty cigarette lighter that doesn’t burn enough.