Older Maytag Neptune Dryer stopped heating

[gareneau]

Model Number

MDG4000BWW

Brand

Maytag

Age

More than 10 years

Hi, I have an older Maytag Neptune dryer that stopped heating a few days ago. I thought it might be the heating element/coils gone bad (I'm no expert here) but when I removed the door and front cover and looked inside - after pushing the white button and start button - the heating element turned a nice orange glow and the flame came on without issue. My wife put her hand in the drum and could feel the heat. HOWEVER, once I put everything back and turned the dryer one, we did not hear the flame come on nor felt any heat in the dryer drum. Any ideas what might be causing the dryer to fail to heat when the front cover is installed back on and the front door put back in place?

 

[Dan O.]

Any ideas what might be causing the dryer to fail to heat when the front cover is installed back on and the front door put back in place?

No. It may be just coincidence.

What we need to know to try to diagnose what might be responsible is what exactly the burner's ignitor is doing when it should be heating (while completely assembled). I know that will be difficult with your particular dryer design but it is what it is. (I don't know if you might be able to view burner operation for a vent on the rear.)

You can read about the observations necessary to start diagnosing heating problems in a gas dryer at the following link.

LINK > The Appliance Clinic: Troubleshooting and Repair : Gas Dryer


Dan O.

 

[gareneau]

Thanks,

I looked and don't see how I can view the ignitor if everything is completely assembled. I looked at the back and nothing there gives me a sight into the ignitor.

Question: since the heating coils are cheap and easy to replace, what do you think of my replacing those to see if that might do the trick?

 

[Dan O.]

I looked and don't see how I can view the ignitor if everything is completely assembled.

As I said it is the design of your particular model Depending on how dedicated you are to finding the actual cause, some technicians have been known to drill a 'peep hole' for viewing in the front panel as is found on some models and shown at the link I provided previously.

the heating coils are cheap and easy to replace, what do you think of my replacing those to see if that might do the trick?

If you're just going to go on a guess, those are a good place to start. They are the most common (~75-80%?) cause of heating issues when the burner is still receiving power but not igniting into flame.

LINK > MDG4000BWW Burner Solenoid Coils

JMO

Dan O.

 

[gareneau]

This is very strange. I purchased some new heating coils but before installing them I turned the dryer on today to see for how long the flame would stay on. (Front door and cover plate were taken off.) For some reason, the heat bar/element now doesn't come on (no orange glow) and, of course, no flame. Why would it come on yesterday but not today, when the only thing that has changed is the vent being reconnected to the back of the dryer (yesterday we had it off as I was cleaning it to make sure the problem wasn't too much lint stuck in there). Any thoughts?

 

[Dan O.]

Why would it come on yesterday but not today

Coincidence? Maybe something new broke? Maybe trying to get the burner to come on while disassembled caused the thermal fuse to trip?

.

 

[gareneau]

Thanks, Dan.

The saga continues - I went back in and attempted to make sure all connections (both to igniter and new heat coils) were tight. Lo and behold after doing so, the burner came on. HOWEVER, the heating is inconsistent - meaning sometimes the heat comes on in the dryer and sometimes it doesn't. So it's not quite fixed as I had hoped.

Obviously, I can go back in and make sure everything is connected securely but I've done that once. Any other ideas what might be causing this intermittency?

 

[Dan O.]

Any other ideas what might be causing this intermittency?

Not without accurate observations of what exactly is occurring with the burner at that time. "Not heating" is insufficient.

Did you read the link I provided. It describes possible symptoms and their possible causes.


Dan O.

 

[gareneau]

Well, if the burner goes out while I'm pressing the button and I've already replaced the heat coils, it seems to me the mostly likely issue is the igniter (which can easily be replaced).

I've watched YouTube videos multiple times and know that I have to get my hand on a multimeter to test various connections.

That's how I'm thinking about the problem - I did read the link you provided and matched the suggestions up with watching the YouTube videos.

 

[Dan O.]

I've already replaced the heat coils

You never said you actually replaced them.

if the burner goes out while I'm pressing the button

I don't know what pressing the start button has to do with the dryer heating other than the motor must be running before the burner can come on, as a safety precaution.

If all power to the burner stops (ie. ignitor not glowing), the thermostats, ignitor, flame sensor, heat circuit of the timer and thermal fuse may be stopping the power. The thermal fuse is less likely as it is a one-time fuse and once tripped would stay tripped.

Trying to run the dryer while not fully assembled could cause the thermostats to open prematurely and stop power from going to the burner until cooled and reset.


Dan O.

 

[gareneau]

Since you're the expert and I'm not, I'm sure I'm not explaining this as well as I could. When I say I push the button, I mean the front door and cover have been removed, and I am simultaneously pushing the front button and START button on the front top of the machine in order for me to see what's happening below. That was (obviously) how I could tell the igniter was working again and the flame re-appeared after I had made sure wires were properly connected.

From there I put back front door and front cover and tried to start the dryer again. This is when the intermittency occurs. Sometimes the igniter/flame will come on and sometimes it won't. I've noticed when I rotate the IntelliDry dial the dryer may or may not start. If it starts, it may or may not heat. (Obviously it has to be in a mode that calls for heat.) It looks like if the Moisture Monitor comes on when I twist the dial and is reading properly (red glow), the igniter/flame is operating properly but that may be coincidental, not sure.

I will continue to run loads and see if I can add any more clarity on what is happening. And I need to get my hands on a multimeter.

P.S. I understand your point, i.e., it could be a NUMBER of things, as you list in your email.

 

[Dan O.]

This is when the intermittency occurs. Sometimes the igniter/flame will come on and sometimes it won't.

It is a given that the ignitor comes on if the flame does. What we need to know is if the ignitor comes on when the flame does not come on.

That knowledge will help pinpoint whether it is a problem at the burner mechanism or elsewhere in the dryer thereby limiting the possibilities that need to be checked. Otherwise every possibility will need to be checked which would be extremely difficult with an intermittent problem.

I do realize that may be difficult to do on your dryer design (stupid Maytag) but it is one of the trials and tribulations repair technicians sometimes have to deal with.


Dan O.

 

[gareneau]

Now I understand what you are getting at. Ok, let me try to research this over the next couple of days. I work at home which is why I can attend to some of this during the day.

Thanks for the help,

Gary