Clothes dryer troubleshooting

[Huskie]

Our 7 year old maytag didn't finish the drying cycle today, went down to take rhe clothes out and they were only partially dry. The dryer will not work, plus the light inside of the dryer doesn't work either. If the motor was burned out, the light should still come on right? Sounds like a power issue. Where do I start, the cord or the fuse? I might have an extra power cord and the fuse box doesn't have a breaker for the dryer, need to open up the panel. Not real comfortable around the electricity world, too shocking for me. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[jeffreyd]

unplug it and remove the back. see if you might have had a small fire or wire melting back there. clean the lint out and if it is all ok, then your problems are going to be bigger. you can check the motor while you are back there. good luck

[delcecchi]

gas or electric dryer? If gas, try plugging something else into the socket like a lamp. If electric, it probably is fed off a 220 breaker or fuse block.

You have fuses or breakers?

[pikechaser]

make sure your getting power to it..dryers are not complicated..but tough to get into to work on if you arent framiliar with it...if you have power to the machine..and the door light doesnt work(assuming the bulb is good) the door switch is probly shot..would also cause the unit to not run..might be easiest to call someone..they should have the parts on them..easy in & out and back in business

[delcecchi]

Easy to get into dryer if you just look on the internet. I bet there is even a video on you tube. Might be worthwhile to check a few easy things like the power and whatever.

I searched on Maytag Dryer Troubleshooting and came up with this list.

lthough all brands are different in design, the basic concept is the same. When a dryer won't run, there are several things to consider:

* Is the circuit breaker thrown? Can you read 240 volts at the wall plug? (120 volts if gas)

* Are the wires at the power cord burned?

* (Very common)Can you read continuity thru the door switch?

* Check for a belt switch near the motor....this will cause the dryer not to run if open.

* Have you checked the thermal fuse?

Make sure it is unplugged while fooling with it. The thermal fuse is on the back of the unit , looks like down low.

Looks like the front panel is held on by two screws near the bottom.

(site was repair2000 ) Shows how to open up the dryer and get at all the stuff. You need an electrical test meter that measures ohms. Any big box store has them in the electrical area.

[Juneau4]

There has to be a breaker wether its gas or electric. If its gas no separate breaker other plugins maybe on the same circuit. Electric will have its own breaker -nothing will be wired without the fuses or breaker.

[Surface Tension]

If its gas, test the receptacle like was suggested. If it tests good call a repair man.

Tests bad, you have a tripped breaker or maybe a GFCI that tripped or someone hit the test button. Might be or might not be on its own circuit so check other receptacles for power and or tripped GFCIs . You don't need to take the cover off the panel. Just open the door and look for a tripped breaker.

If its electric look at the circuit breaker. There will be a 240 breaker unless someone used two 120 breakers which is a code violation.

Whatever the case a tripped breaker is a warning. Being associated with a dryer I'd be extra cautious.

[Huskie]

Just an update, the small thermal unit was dead, needed to get that replaced. I also noticed the vent needed to be cleaned out bigtime, way too much lint. More than likely it caused overheating that caused that thermal deal to go. Live and learn, sure beats a fire!!