Generic Gas Dryer

Gas dryers have a gas burner instead of the electric heater coils in an electric dryer. Gas burners and their components are very similar for all of the major brands so this generic section will usually help you with most of your repair problems.

Proper Operation

• Burner Assembly
• Gas Valves
• Ignitor
• Radiant Sensor

Problem Diagnostics

Most gas dryers have an access panel that can be used to watch the gas burner assembly. That panel is always located in front of the dryer cabinet at the bottom. Sometimes it exposes the entire bottom of the interior of dryer and sometimes it only lets you watch the burner. Actual observations of the burner and burner ignitor functions will be required to start to diagnose heating problems.

• The drum turns but the igniter doesn't glow, there is no clacking sound as the gas valves open and there is no flame ignition sound. The ignitor may need replacement.
• The drum turns but the igniter doesn't glow, there is no clacking sound as the gas valves open and there is no flame ignition sound. The radiant sensor may need replacement.
• The drum turns but the igniter doesn't glow, the gas valves don't open (there is no clacking sound) and there is no flame ignition sound. The operating thermostats may have failed.
• The drum turns and the igniter glows, cycling on and off, but there is no clacking sound as the gas valves open and there is no flame ignition sound. The gas valve assembly may need replacement.
• The drum turns and the igniter glows continuously but there is no clacking sound as the gas valve opens and there is no flame ignition sound. The radiant sensor may be shorted.

• Check for blockage in the dryer vent hose.
• Make sure the lint filter is clean.
• Check the operating thermostats.
• Check for premature failure of the gas burner.