Gas Dryer not Working Gas Dryer Not Heating

If your gas dryer is not working because it is not heating then you need to check this out. Today’s gas dryers often do not use the simple thermocouple with a pilot to prove the flame anymore. They use a much more complicated method of lighting the burner and proving the flame.

The use of electric igniters has become the standard for many dryers today. The thermostat calls for heat, power is supplied to the igniter, then after a certain amperage draw on the igniter, the gas valve is energizes to open and allow gas to flow starting the flame. As long as the amperage draw on the igniter is high enough then the gas valve stays open till the thermostat is satisfied.

Sometimes the igniter will crack and no current will go through and the igniter will not even heat up or glow. Sometimes the igniter will wear to the point where it will still heat up and glow, but the current draw will not be high enough to allow the gas valve to open. This creates a confusing situation where you look into the dryer and see the glow from the igniter, but get no heat because the burner never lights up. If this is the case then you will need to replace the igniter even though it seems to be okay. The only way to know for sure is to know what the current draw requirements are for that gas valve and to have an amp meter to check the current draw.

Most of the time the problem will be in the igniter, and not the gas valve. Gas valves can go bad, but that is the case in only a very small amount of the situations. It is a pretty safe bet that if you have a problem with you gas dryer lighting that you have a problem with your igniter.

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