Is your Maytag dryer not heating clothes properly? If yes, then it needs to be checked. The dryer is not functioning due to various possible reasons. Some common reasons include a defective thermostat, a faulty gas valve ignitor, a malfunctioning heating element, etc. Hence, the dryer needed to be examined.
This is possible due to either professional assistance or getting enough knowledge about your Maytag dryer. Do not worry we have got you covered. In this article, we aim to provide you with the necessary knowledge about the causes of the Maytag dryers, not heating. Furthermore, we will guide you through the instructions needed to troubleshoot the Maytag dryer.
Number of Maytag Dryer Models Covered in the Guide
We have tried to write instructions about fixing the heating of the following models of Maytag dryers:
- Model 66 CB
- Model 67 C
- Model 70 C
- Model 741 C
- Model 742 C
- Model 7MME P0080 WW0
- Model 7MM P0080 WW1
- Model MED 5600 TQ1
- Model MED 5620 TQ0
- Model MED 5620 TQ1
- Model MED 5621 TQ0
- Model MED 5630 TQ0
- Model MED 5630 TQ1
- Model MED 5640 TQ1
- Model MED 5700 TQ0
- Model MED 5700 TQ1
- Model MED 5720 TQ0
- Model MED 5800 TW0
- Model MED 5805 TW0
- Model MED 5830 TW0
10 Troubleshooting Tricks to Fix Maytag Dryer Not Heating
We have covered all the causes that are causing your Maytag dryer to leave clothes wet. Listed below are these causes along with all the tips and tricks to check the particular component of the dryer.
1. Troubleshooting Thermal Fuse
Almost every Maytag dryer contains a thermal fuse. This fuse is responsible for ensuring that the dryer won’t catch fire or explosion while working. It makes this possible by shutting down the dryer when it is overheated. However, sometimes the thermal fuse itself gets defective. This can be due to the normal depreciation of components or due to excessive overheating again and again.
To troubleshoot the thermal fuse follow these steps:
- First of all, make sure that the dryer’s power source is shut down.
- For troubleshooting the thermal fuse, locate and access the thermal fuse.
- The thermal fuse is located in the control panel of the dryer. So, you need to open up the control panel whether it is at the top or the sides of the dryer.
- To access the dryer, check out the heat source of the dryer. In the case of Maytag gas dryers thermal fuse is present near the ignitor. While in the case of Maytag electric dryers, it is located near the heating element.
- After accessing the fuse, test its continuity level with the multimeter. This is to make sure that the thermal fuse is alright or not.
- If the continuity test shows infinity the fuse is working properly. However, if it shows zero continuity. The blown fuse should be replaced.
- To replace the thermal fuse, take the blown fuse out by unfastening its bolts. After that install the new one following the manual instructions.
2. Fixing Gas Igniting Components
Maytag gas dryers need gas power for working. For ensuring proper flow of gas, the dryer has few components for igniting the gas (Skip this cause of malfunctioning if you have an electric dryer). These include a gas valve, solenoid coil, and ignitor. When one of these components becomes faulty, the gas ignition becomes interrupted. This causes the washer to not heat.
You can follow the following steps to fix the gas-igniting components:
- The first thing that needs to be checked is the ignitor. For this purpose, perform the continuity test. If the ignitor shows zero continuity then it should be replaced.
- If the ignitor shows infinite continuity it is working properly. So, you can check the gas valve with it. For this, turn on the gas valve and see if the ignitor glows and ignites the gas. If yes then, then the gas valve is alright. However, if the ignitor simply glows, the gas valve is not working. Check the hose pipe of the valve to fix it.
- There can be another fault in the dryer if the ignitor simply glows and does not ignite. The solenoid coils might be defective or blown. Hence, the coils should be replaced to repair the Maytag dryer.
3. Checking the Faulty Flame Sensor
A flame sensor in a Maytag gas dryer ensures that the burner of the dryer is lit continuously. When the flame sensor is alright it detects the burner is working and signals the control panel to keep heating the dryer. If the flame sensor is defective and can not sense the burning, it will prevent the burner from heating.
Here are the instructions to check the flame sensor of the Maytag spinner:
Step 1
Access the flame sensor of the dryer. To do this, open the control panel and locate the dryer. Otherwise, you can follow the manual to locate it.
Step 2
After you have accessed the sensor, make sure it is at room temperature. This is because you need to do the continuity test to check the resistance of the sensor.
Step 3
If a multimeter shows that the flame sensor has no continuity then the flame sensor is defective. Hence you need to replace the sensor with the new one.
Step 4
To replace the flame sensor, detach all the wires and nuts connected to it. Install the new sensor in the same position and secure it using all the wires and nuts previously attached to it.
4. Testing the Heating Element
Just like gas dryers have gas-igniting elements, electric dryers have heating elements. This heating element is responsible for heating the air coming from the ventilation hose. The warm air then enters the dryer drum and heats the clothes. If the heating element is malfunctioning, the air remains unheated. Hence, the clothes remain unheated.
A few tips to test the heating element are listed below:
- Turn off the power to the dryer.
- Locate the heating element. It is normally located near the dryer drum of the dryer. You can check the manual guide to see if the heating element is located behind, at the bottom, or on the back wall of the dryer drum.
- Once you have located the heating element, access it by opening the control board. You can use a nut fastener to unclip and unwind the bolts.
- After accessing the element, test its functioning. You can use a multimeter for this purpose. Test the continuity of the heating element.
- If the continuity is high, remove the old heating element. Insert the new one in its place. Place all the nuts again to close the control board
- Check the working of the dryer to ensure a smooth installation of the heating element.
5. Checking the Powering System
One of the common causes that prevents the drying from heating is insufficient power supply. If you are unable to find any faults in the drying components of the dryer, its power supply must be low. In the case of an electric dryer, it requires an average of almost 250 volts through different fuses. If one of the fuse trips, the dryer will turn on but not heat the clothes.
To check if the power supply is sufficient use the following instructions:
- Wear safety gloves to ensure that you are not touching wires barehanded.
- Open the fuse box at your home. Once done locate the fuse that is powering the dryer.
- Now test all the fuses. For this purpose, use a multimeter. The instrument will help you in check-in the voltage that it is providing. If the voltage is insufficient, the fuse is blown.
- Replace the fuse. Check the voltage again to ensure a continuous flow of current.
- However, if the fuse is fine. There must be some problem with the wires of the dryer or the socket providing power to the dryer must be faulty.
- Replace the wire of the dryer and check the socket with the voltage tester.
6. Troubleshooting the High-limit Thermostat
In a Maytag dryer, a high-limit thermostat is a safety device that detects the temperature inside the dryer. If the dryer overheats, it shuts off the heating element if the temperature limit exceeds a specified level. Hence, it prevents the hazards caused by high temperatures in the dryer.
This is how you can troubleshoot a high-limit thermostat:
- Turn off the power to the dryer. Access the thermostat in the control panel using the instruction manual.
- Once located check its continuity using the multimeter.
- If it shows that the thermostat has continuity. There is no need to replace it.
- However, if it shows no continuity, replace the high-limit thermostat.
7. Fixing the Dryer’s Timer
Different types of clothes require different cycling periods for their proper spinning. If the clothes are not getting enough to get spun they remain wet. As a result, the user thinks the dryer is not heating properly. But in reality, the timer of the dryer is not working, which causes short drying cycles leaving the clothes wet and moist. Hence, the faulty timer needs to be changed.
To fix the dryer’s timer you can use the following steps:
Step 1
Switch off the power to the dryer. Unplug the wire of the electric dryer and turn off the gas valve.
Step 2
Find the timer of the dryer. It is usually located in the control panel. If not you can use the manual to see where it is in the dryer.
Step 3
The timer also needs a continuous flow of current. If its circuit is broken the dryer will perform an uneven drying cycle. Therefore, you must check its continuity using a multimeter.
Step 4
If the continuity is zero replace the broken timer using special instructions provided by the manufacturer. Run the dryer to ensure smooth working.
8. Checking the Control Board
When all the components of the dryer are working properly, the last option is to check the control board of the dryer. The main board does not trip usually but when it happens you need to replace it. Otherwise, consider buying a new dryer instead of replacing the control board.
Usually, testing the control board is difficult and needs professional assistance. However, you can do a visual inspection or inspection while following the manual guide:
- Switch off the dryer.
- Access the control board by opening the top or front control panel (use the instruction manual).
- Once you see the main board, visually inspect it to see any signs or burning of parts, loosing of nuts, or any visible fault.
- With a multimeter, you can also check the voltage and continuity of the connections in the main board.
- If the user manual has any specific instructions to troubleshoot the control board of the dryer, follow them to check it.
9. Diagnosing the Ventilation System
The ventilation system of the dryer is a crucial component. It is responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of air outside the dryer drum. If the ventilation system of the dryer is obstructed the moist air and lint of clothes remain inside it. As a result, the temperature of the dryer drum rises causing overheating. Thus, the safety features of the dryer are triggered preventing the dryer from heating.
To diagnose the Ventilation system you should follow the following steps:
Step 1
Check the ventilation system for any blockages. Thoroughly examine the ventilation hose to see if it is obstructed because of lint or fibres. Remove the debris if any.
Step 2
Inspect the outer vent of the dryer to see if there is any debris present there. Ensure that it is open while the dryer is working.
Step 3
Verify that all the connections in the ventilation system are secured. Make sure that nothing is damaged or there are no leaks in the connections.
Step 4
Check the pipe or hose to straighten any bends in it. This is done to keep the flow of air smooth and steady.
Step 5
A clogged lint trap can also be causing the irregular outflow of moist air. Therefore, the lint screen should be cleaned of all the debris.
10. Troubleshooting the Cycling Thermostat
There is another thermostat in the dryer that, instead of simply monitoring, regulates the temperature inside the drum of the dryer. In other words, it turns off and on the heating element to maintain a steady temperature. Hence, it regulates the heating cycles of the dryer, therefore it is called a cycling thermostat. If this thermostat is malfunctioning your dryer will not heat clothes properly.
To troubleshoot the cycling thermostat you should:
- Turn off the electricity.
- Locate the thermostat and it is also present near the drum or heating element.
- Use a multimeter to check the continuity of all the connections of the thermostat.
- If its connections lack continuity then the thermostat needs to be replaced.
- You can use a manual guide provided by Maytag to change the thermostat.
In short, a not heating Maytag dryer can be frustrating when you want to dry clothes. It is an essential part of everyday chores. Therefore, any malfunctioning that might be causing the dryer to not spin properly should be diagnosed. Whether it is a malfunctioning heating element, a defective thermostat, or a clogged ventilation system everything needs to be fixed.
Hence, we have explained all the common causes of the Maytag dryer not heating. Moreover, you can now perform a diagnosis of each of the above-stated causes at home. However, if you are unable to do this you can get professional assistance through Maytag.