Having a dog of a time trying to troubleshoot my 7 year-old gas dryer (Maytag Centennial Dryer - MGDC300XW0) issue. Was working just fine and we annually clean out the lint trap and vent line thoroughly (clean the pull out lint trap every load also) and now when we go to start it it justs buzzes. According to repairclinic.com (which is SOOO convenient being on the way to work so I can just pick up the spare parts!) here is the order of troubleshooting:
1 - Thermal Fuse: "The fuse should be closed for continuity meaning it has a continuous electrical path through it when good. If overheated the fuse will have no continuity meaning the electrical path is broken and the fuse has blown."
- We checked it for continuity with a multimeter, it's fine
2 - Start Switch: "To determine if the start switch is defective, attempt to start the dryer. If the dryer hums but does not start, the start switch is not at fault. "
- We are humming, so no problem there
3 - Door switch: "The door switch activates when the dryer door is closed. On most dryers, the door switch makes an audible clicking sound when it activates. To determine if the door switch is working, try starting your dryer and then listen for the “click.” If the door switch makes a clicking sound, it is probably not defective."
- Well, it doesn't click when I try to turn on the dryer, but when I open the door the light comes on. When I press it, the light goes off (with a click!). Possible opportunity here? Doubtful unless there's a separate path of electricity that is disconnected from the light functionality
4. Drive Motor: "If all of these parts are working properly, but the motor is making a humming noise, remove the belt from the motor and check the blower wheel for obstructions. If the blower wheel is clear of obstructions, the dryer motor might be at fault. If you suspect the motor is defective, replace it."
- Bought a replacement motor after checking 1-3, replaced the blower wheel when I broke it trying to wrench it off of the motor. Thought this would be the magic bullet but after replacing both of those and reassembling the dryer, I was met with a very disappointing hum again.
5. Drive Belt: "Check the dryer belt to determine if it is broken. If the belt is broken, replace it."
- Really strange this is number 5, you have to remove it to get to the drive motor. Mine is very much intact and working.*
6. Incoming Power Problem: My washer is on the same outlet and is working fine. I even swapped plugs to see if it for some strange reason one went bad. Nope
7. Timer: "The timer might be defective. However, this is very rarely the case. Before replacing the timer, check all the more commonly defective parts. If you determine that all of the other components are working properly, test the timer by using a multimeter and consulting the wiring diagram. If the timer is defective, replace it."
- I haven't troubleshot this yet, and I suppose this is my next step. The high rarity of it though doesn't have me thinking it's the cause
I wanted to solicit the hive mind to see if there were any ideas that weren't covered here. I'll take the timer out this weekend and test it, but I'm at a loss. So is my super-handy neighbor who is a sage when it comes to this ****. But he doesn't know it all.*
Thoughts? Thanks!
1 - Thermal Fuse: "The fuse should be closed for continuity meaning it has a continuous electrical path through it when good. If overheated the fuse will have no continuity meaning the electrical path is broken and the fuse has blown."
- We checked it for continuity with a multimeter, it's fine
2 - Start Switch: "To determine if the start switch is defective, attempt to start the dryer. If the dryer hums but does not start, the start switch is not at fault. "
- We are humming, so no problem there
3 - Door switch: "The door switch activates when the dryer door is closed. On most dryers, the door switch makes an audible clicking sound when it activates. To determine if the door switch is working, try starting your dryer and then listen for the “click.” If the door switch makes a clicking sound, it is probably not defective."
- Well, it doesn't click when I try to turn on the dryer, but when I open the door the light comes on. When I press it, the light goes off (with a click!). Possible opportunity here? Doubtful unless there's a separate path of electricity that is disconnected from the light functionality
4. Drive Motor: "If all of these parts are working properly, but the motor is making a humming noise, remove the belt from the motor and check the blower wheel for obstructions. If the blower wheel is clear of obstructions, the dryer motor might be at fault. If you suspect the motor is defective, replace it."
- Bought a replacement motor after checking 1-3, replaced the blower wheel when I broke it trying to wrench it off of the motor. Thought this would be the magic bullet but after replacing both of those and reassembling the dryer, I was met with a very disappointing hum again.
5. Drive Belt: "Check the dryer belt to determine if it is broken. If the belt is broken, replace it."
- Really strange this is number 5, you have to remove it to get to the drive motor. Mine is very much intact and working.*
6. Incoming Power Problem: My washer is on the same outlet and is working fine. I even swapped plugs to see if it for some strange reason one went bad. Nope
7. Timer: "The timer might be defective. However, this is very rarely the case. Before replacing the timer, check all the more commonly defective parts. If you determine that all of the other components are working properly, test the timer by using a multimeter and consulting the wiring diagram. If the timer is defective, replace it."
- I haven't troubleshot this yet, and I suppose this is my next step. The high rarity of it though doesn't have me thinking it's the cause
I wanted to solicit the hive mind to see if there were any ideas that weren't covered here. I'll take the timer out this weekend and test it, but I'm at a loss. So is my super-handy neighbor who is a sage when it comes to this ****. But he doesn't know it all.*
Thoughts? Thanks!
