Tech Tips for Repairing Appliances

Troubleshooting and Repair Tips - Symptom - Won't heat

Gas dryers that won't heat may be caused by a bad igniter. This symptom could also be cause by a bad thermal fuse. The thermal fuse in many dryers sends the power to the gas valve. If the fuse is open, no power can get to the valve and thus it won't allow the gas to flow. There is also a heat sensor at the burner that detects whether the ignitor is glowing. If the sensor goes bad (which is common), it can deny the ignitor of power - which in turn will result in a dryer that won't light. Below are common Gas Dryer repair scenarios where the dryer won't heat.

GE Gas Dryer with bad igniter (most models - igniter part number WE4x739) - The igniter is likely bad if you start the dryer and you hear the relay to the gas valve click when you press start - but the gas never lights.
-Unplug the dryer
-Shut off the gas valve that supplies the dryer.
-Remove the top by taking out the two screws at the inner top of the door frame.
-Remove the two screws that hold the front of the dryer on. They are visible from the inside top of the dryer and looking down at the door.
-Remove the front of the dryer by pulling the front down and lifting it off of the clips at the bottom.
-Remove the two screws on the front of the dryer frame that holds the two sides to the frame.
-Reach inside and grab the idler assembly (to the left). Spring it back and remove the belt.
-Lift the drum up to release it from the back bearing.
-Pull the drum out.
-The gas valve will be to the front right of the dyrer.
-Remove the plug to the igniter. Measure the resistance of the igniter. It should be between 250 and 300 ohms.
-If the igniter is bad, unscrew it and replace with the new igniter.
-If the igniter is good, check the resistance of the flame sensor to the right. The resistance should be close to zero ohms - no more than 2 ohms.
-If the flame sensor is open (high resistance), replace with part number WE4X448.
-If the flame sensor is good (less than 2 ohms), you may have bad gas coils. They are the two black cylinders with 2 and 3 leads repsectively. To replace them, use a phillips screwdriver. Remove the screws at the base of each coil and replace with the new ones in the same but reverse fashion - the part number is 279834 - they come in a bag as a set of two.
-Put the dryer together in reverse order and test.