|
Troubleshooting >>
Appliance Repair Troubleshooting DIY or Start Your
Dryer Troubleshooting:
Problem:
Burning odor.
Lint build up is a very common problem. The inside of the dryer cabinet should be cleaned regularly to prevent a fire.
Problem:
Machine sounds like it is running, but the drum is not turning.
Drum does not turn on its own but you can turn it freely.
When there is no drag on the drum while you are turning it, means you have a broken belt or faulty idler. Change the idler and belt.
Problem:
Rumbling Noise.
This noise indicates bad rollers.
Always change both rollers.
Problem:
High pitch noises and other noises not related to the rollers.
1. Check the idler. If the problem is the idler I would replace the
Idler.
2. Something may be stuck somewhere within the unit or blower wheel area.
A. Check for pencils, clothing, combs, and toys. You could find
any number or variety of things inside of people’s dryers creating this problem. Always return whatever is found to the customer.
3. Things have a way of finding themselves fallen down the lint chute, where the lint screen goes. If the lint screen will not slide in fully, there could be something stuck in the chute. In either circumstance, you should remove the chute and locate the stuck object so the dryer will operate properly.
. 4. GE/Maytag the sound may soften or dissipate after several minutes of operation. Check the rear support bearing.
5. GE loud scraping noise.
a. Check the glides at the front of the drum. You will find they are worn or missing, replace all.
6. Strange noise from dryer area even when the dryer is not operating. Do Not turn on. Birds may have entered threw the vent.
Problem:
Loud humming noise, dryer tub will not turn.
1. Remove the belt from the motor shaft.
A. Try turning the shaft by hand, if it is real tight or won’t move something may be stuck in the blower.
B. 99.5% of the time the motor is frozen and should be changed, like in the video.
Problem:
Clothes dropping behind the drum.
In this case you will find the rear drum felt (seal) needs to be changed.
Problem:
Dryer won’t start.
1. Check the micro switch. They hold up good but sometimes fail.
2. With the power off disconnect the wires from the switch and check for continuity like in the video.
3. Check the actuator clip that goes through the cabinet so when the door shuts it pushes the spring against the micro switch.
4. This clip breaks often. I change the micro switch and the actuator spring.
5. Check the fuse box or circuit breaker.
6. GE/Maytag check the door switch for continuity when the door switch is depressed.
Problem:
Timer will not advance or moves sometimes.
1. Change the timer.
A. Make sure to give the distributor the model number of the unit.
Problem:
No Heat.
1. Go around the back on most models and remove the back large panel.
A. Look for a white, ceramic fuse with a wire on each end.
B. Remove each wire, check with OHM Meter on Ohm setting.
C. If you have no reading on Ohms setting, change the fuse.
2. Go to the back of the machine.
A. At the bottom of the heater there are 2 wires, connected to the base of the heater.
B. Remove both wires.
C. Touch your meter across each terminal on Ohms scale on your meter.
D. If you have no reading: remove the heater, the coil inside will be broken.
E. Install a new heater.
F. If you have a reading at the heater and the fuse and still have no heat: on the side of the heater, there is a switch called the high limit thermostat. This switch causes the heater to go on and off, which is normal. If this by-metal switch is faulty, the heater will not go on or will stay on too long and cause the dryer to be very hot. You will need to change the switch.
Problem:
Dryer is too hot.
See F. in the previous section.
Problem:
No heat or will not start.
Read Completely.
Danger of severe injury or death.
You will want to check at the dryers’ terminal block for the 220 volts.
1. No heat or intermittent: timer contacts worn or broken; change the timer.
2. Danger of shock be careful. Check the terminal where wire or cord connects for burnt or broken connection.
3. Danger of shock. Carefully take a reading from one leg at a time and neutral. You should have a reading of 110 volts from each leg.
A. If you have 110 volts on the side that feeds the motor, the drum will turn but will not heat.
B. If you come across a condition where you find 110 volts and not 220 volts; collect your labor charge and tell the customer to call an electrician.
C. Notice I said “labor charge,” because you have earned it and tell the customer after the power has been restored if they are still having a problem you will return and check the unit out. 99% of the time it was not the dryer but the circuit breaker.
4. If the unit is hardwired and not plugged in:
A. Remove the small plate and with the power on, set your meter to 200 to 300 volts and take a reading from one leg at a time to neutral. You should have 110 volts from each leg for a total of 220 volts.
B. If you do not have the total of 220 volts then refer to b and c in the previous section.
Problem:
Dryer is hot but not drying the clothes in the normal cycle time, takes several cycles for the clothes to dry.
1. Remove the venting at the back of the dryer.
A. Turn the dryer on for a few seconds.
B. If air is blowing out very strong put the venting back on.
C. Check the outside where the air blows out of the house from the dryer venting.
I. You will probably find the air is not very strong.
II. Check the venting for restriction.
III. You will often find lint or another type of obstruction:
Birds nest, toys or plugged flapper.
IV. You may also have water in the venting. If you are checking venting and you find it sagging or heavy it will be full of water. The air from the dryer cannot pass through the restriction which gives you a long, long drying time. Sometimes you will also notice it is steamy or very sweaty on the inside of the dryer cabinet due to this condition.
Problem:
When the start switch is pressed the motor is hard starting.
A good motor only requires a moment of the start switch being pressed for it to start. If it is necessary to hold the start switch longer than usual and the motor strains to start or the motor stops after running for a short amount of time; the motor is worn out.
Problem:
Dryer door will not close or keeps opening.
1. Check the striker on the cabinet or catch on the door.
A. Either one of these could be broken, worn or missing and needs to be replaced.
Gas Dryers:
Problem:
Flame turns on for a short period 45 seconds or so and shuts off.
Short cycle.
1. Check the primary and secondary coils
2. Check the flame sensor
3. Check the igniter
4. Check the exhaust system
VERY IMPORTANT: NEVER VENT A GAS DRYER INTO THE HOME. THE CUSTOMER COULD BE OVERCOME BY THE FUMES. AN ELECTRIC, NON GAS, DRYER CAN BE VENTED INTO THE HOME BUT WILL CREATE DUST AND LINT. WHEN YOU SERVICE A GAS DRYER, YOU SHOULD ALSO MENTION TO THE CUSTOMER TO NEVER VENT THE DRYER INTO THE HOME.
(revised 3/2010)
|
|