Sometimes heat sometimes not

Dryer Repair
1

Sometimes the flame ignites and sometimes it does not. Is this something that can be diagnosed easily?

2

Can you provide a bit more detail? What is it you see or don’t see in the burner area when it isn’t heating?

I’m sure we can help if you can observe and give us a little more to go on.

3

Thanks for ur prompt reply Frank.

Well I have cleaned all of the exhaust and under the drum. When it isn’t heating i see no activity…no glow, no fire…nothin. but other times it seems to work fine. My wife has made the following observations:

  • it behaves the same on all types of cycles
  • it makes a loud squeeking noise when it works
  • it seems to not work when the clothes are the dampest (i saw somewhere that there is a moisture sensor on soem models but I am not sure if mine has one)
4

[quote=michaelooch;120777]Thanks for ur prompt reply Frank.

Well I have cleaned all of the exhaust and under the drum. When it isn’t heating i see no activity…no glow, no fire…nothin. but other times it seems to work fine. My wife has made the following observations:

  • it behaves the same on all types of cycles
  • it makes a loud squeeking noise when it works
  • it seems to not work when the clothes are the dampest (i saw somewhere that there is a moisture sensor on soem models but I am not sure if mine has one)[/quote]

Well, this is still going to be tough. A common scenairio would be the ignitor coming on and then fading away without any flame. If the ignitor is truly not coming back on, then it sounds as though one of the thermostats are sticking open not allowing voltage to flow back to the gas valve area.

5

after further conversation with the user (wifey) she seems to believe that
-heat works when load is light or less damp

I will check again to confirm the ignitor is not coming on…i assume this would be the glow?

Do you think the squeek is related…a cause or effect?

6

[quote=michaelooch;121086]after further conversation with the user (wifey) she seems to believe that
-heat works when load is light or less damp

I will check again to confirm the ignitor is not coming on…i assume this would be the glow?

Do you think the squeek is related…a cause or effect?[/quote]

The glow is the ignitor. It would be hard to tie the ignitor with a squeel noise. Try to do a little more investigating.

7

ok…after much careful observation…sometimes glow and fire…sometimes glow and no fire…as u suspected…wat now?

as far as the noise…I am assuming that it is a loose pulley or soemthing…any tips?

Thanks again

8

[quote=michaelooch;123225]ok…after much careful observation…sometimes glow and fire…sometimes glow and no fire…as u suspected…wat now?

as far as the noise…I am assuming that it is a loose pulley or soemthing…any tips?

Thanks again[/quote]

For the non lighting issue, I believe the coils on the gas valve are going to be at fault. They are a common reason for what you’re describing. Below is a picture with part#.

As far as the noise. Could be the idler pulley, one of the rollers, or possibly the front drum seal, which is allowing metal on metal.

I’ve also included a link for your model so you can scan the different parts I mentioned.

AP3094251

[MODEL]LGA10AW[/MODEL]