My Maytag Dryer has quit...can anyone help?
 

We have a Maytag Performa dryer that is about 7 years old. We've had no problems with it until now. It has quit working. Yes, it's plugged in and yes the door is shut. I went to the fuse box and nothing was flipped. I checked the power cord and everything looks good and nothing was loose. I took the back off of the controls and everything looked good there too. The dryer has a light inside that comes on when the door is open. That light no longer comes on so, it seems like it's not getting any power. I'm alright mechanically and hope that it's something small or something that has vibrated loose. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks for your help,
Chris

Call the maytag man!

Jokes aside try to dig up your manual. There may be a fuse somewhere on the unit.

I would look for anything loose. There are a few switches that will cut power if any of the panels are off,(safety type), I would check those first. I just went through a front load washer issue couple months back. There could be a internal breaker or fuse. I found some tips to look for by goggling the model and appliance web sites. Good luck!

i learn new things here every day.
exactly where is the "maytag dryer" located.
and more importantly, what does it do?
or why must my maytag be dried?
i can't find it in the workshop manual,
does it go by a different name in a long hood?

Thanks guys for responding quickly. I'm searching the internet for a possible fuse that may be blown.....but I may have to call the Maytag Man!!!

Rob,
1. in my house
2. dry clothes
3. because it is wet
4. not in your manual....because it goes by a different name on a longhood.

Thanks again,
Chris

Just realized (with a little help) thank you very much....that I posted this to the technical forum...how do I post to the OT forum?
Thanks
Chris

Is it a long or short hood?

Spill your guts Chris,,
You put the sheepskin seatcovers in there didn't you.
Or was it your floor mats?
She's making you ask us what to do isn't she?......

just keep in mind that fuses don't just blow all by themselves. there could be short in the heater or possibly the brushes in the electric motor are worn. both of these would cause the dryer to draw to much current and blow a fuse. as a "while your in there" you should consider upgrading to an 11 blade fan.

Dont call the Maytag man, he died too.

check out these two links

http://www.applianceaid.com/

http://a-1appliance.com/

I've used both to assist with troubleshooting and have purchased parts from the second a handful of times over the last 8-10 years.

applianceguru.com is your friend. You can join for $5/lifetime and ask questions or search for free. They solved my dishwasher not draining problem with one posting.

There are "fuses" that mount on the air discharge duct and on the metal shroud surrounding the heater element that 'open' when they overheat. Mine are a sort of plastic/oval shape with two wires exiting them.

If the discharge pipe/duct is clogged (not sufficient air flow) they overheat and open. They then must be replaced (easy fix). Less that $10 ea.

Check them with a ohm meter.

Access is by removing the FRONT, (2 screws at bottom/front panel)

Keep the discharge pipe/vent CLEAN!;)
_______________________
EDIT: While in there, check the door switch; if it fails, it assumes the door is open and will not let the dryer start.

Excellent resource!

Those little things that MO is talking about are the thermo safety switches. Generally when they go bad, you get no heat, everything else pretty much works the same, you just get wet clothes. Is this a gas or an electric model? I have one of the Maytag dryers that has the electronic programing panel. I can't remember the model name, and mine is a gas dyrer. Have you checked the light bulb to see if it is good or has burnt out? What type of controls do you have on your dryer? Knobs or touch panel programing?

strongly suspect the belt is broken, and the light has been burned out for a while. Search for maytag belt replacement on google. you can pull the whole thing apart in about 45 minutes. The dryer is very simple, and the motor is quiet enough that you likely won't hear it without the belt.

Thanks guys for the information and the internet sites. My dryer is electric and it has knobs for the controls. I looked up Thermal fuses and think I found mine. I've attached a picture of it below.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205117811.jpg

Sorry, it's a cell phone picture.

Thanks again for the humor and help,
Chris

p.s. I do not own sheep skin seat covers...............anymore

I forgot to add the part number of the picture below is: 312916.

Thanks again,
Chris

http://www.baileyladders.com.au/reso...ource/main.jpg
imaircooled 2

I have a Maytag that did the same thing. It was a thermal fuse in the back somewhere. It did nothing till the fuse was changed. It looked something like the one you have pictured.

I wimped out and had a repairman fix it.