Hi all, I'm a definite DIY guy that likes to fix cars, computers, plumbing, appliances, pretty much anything. I enjoy the challenge and don't trust repairmen much.

My problem is with this 20 year old Kenmore gas dryer. Over the years I have replaced the coils and the flame sensor. It has always worked perfectly for the 1 or 2 loads a week. Recently it stopped heating.

It would turn on the igniter, then I hear the valves click and the igniter goes off, but no flame, so the igniter and sensor should be OK. I tested the coils and they passed an ohms test. I was taking the gas tube out to clean and broke the igniter so I ordered an igniter and solenoid coils. New parts, same problem.

Somewhere in here I figured out I could light the burner with a grill lighter right after the igniter goes out and it will heat until the thermostat cuts the flame. Also it had lit itself once or twice.

Since then, testing has killed the cheapo igniter I bought.

Every part seems to be (or was) working as it should but no ignition. Any ideas about this? Thanks for your help!!

New update. I now have new coils, ignitor and flame sensor. Same symptom. It will light occasionally and I can light it with a BBQ lighter. I suspect the individual valves in the gas valve are lazy.

Further update, I could imagine they want the back of the regulator sealed in case the diaphragm leaks but having it sealed seemed wrong as it needs to react based on atmospheric pressure. Apparently there is a *TINY* breather hole in the screw cap that covers the adjustment. Mine must have had enough dirt in it to make the regulator operation sluggish. I took the cap off and put a drop of alcohol in the hole in it and it seeped out, indicating a hole. So I blasted it with my compressor blowgun and put it back. Now it seems to light perfectly.