Gas dryer stopped heating last weekend. Did some research on YouTube and it sounded like something I could diagnose and fix myself. 24 year old Maytag dryer, never gave us problems. Last year we had the bearings and belts replaced for about $200. Had I not done that, would’ve just got a new dryer. Multimeter helped me do continuity checks on several components (thanks to the YT vids I was easily able to remove the door and front panel of the dryer).

The multimeter was an inexpensive analog model made by Gardner Bender (GMT-312, $10 shipped on Amazon). Within 5 minutes I was able to determine it was a faulty igniter. Ordered a new one off Amazon for $15. Should come in tomorrow. Both the multimeter and igniter were/will be delivered in less than 18 hours. Amazing what we can do with the kind of information provided on the Internet. I was proud of myself. Really happy not to throw another item into the junk pile.

Congrats!

but, you got an Analog Multimeter in the Digital Age?

Analog and iron pointer for the win!

Good for you. You probably should have done the bearings/belts yourself first to build up confidence. That's an easier job, nothing to diagnose.

Dryers are very simple devices, if you can keep getting repair parts you should be able to keep it running until the cabinet rusts into a pile of dust.

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space-time
…but, you got an Analog Multimeter in the Digital Age?

LOL, yeah. I was actually excited on the prospect (I had predetermined in my mind it was going to be some kind of digital model from Fluke). But I was in a hurry and didn’t have time to do any research, so I figured the analog one would suffice for $10.

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GGD
Good for you. You probably should have done the bearings/belts yourself first to build up confidence. That's an easier job, nothing to.

Did not realize that, I thought that would be a more intimidating job.

DIY Repair LEADER!

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space-time
Congrats!

but, you got an Analog Multimeter in the Digital Age?

Check out the price of a brand new Simpson 260.

That was my favorite meter when I was fixing vacuum tube transmitters 40+ years ago.

I fixed a washer for $5 in parts and about 30 minutes labor.

Never give up that dryer.

Usually it's the thermal fuse that goes as the dryer gathers too much lint.

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Hurts like a bastid...

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mrbigstuff
Usually it's the thermal fuse that goes as the dryer gathers too much lint.

Or if its gas, the ignitor coils.

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The police have no duty to respond. See Castle Rock v. Gonzales, 545 U.S. 748 (2005) or Warren v. District of Columbia[1] (444 A.2d. 1, D.C. Ct. of Ap. 1981)

Judge Lee wrote that “we cannot jettison our constitutional rights, even if the goal behind a law is laudable." 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

[www.youtube.com]

I am ready for either possibility, now that I have this multimeter and I know how easy it is to open up the dryer. And yes, I figured it was the coils too.

Every now and then I drag out a Simpson 260 instead of the Fluke or cheap AMZ DMM.

I really like that the needle doesn't move until measuring something, instead of an LCD digit randomly popping up like bubbles in a soda.

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I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

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An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

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I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

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Racer X

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mrbigstuff
Usually it's the thermal fuse that goes as the dryer gathers too much lint.

Or if its gas, the ignitor coils.

It's been the fuse in the two gas machines I've had.

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Hurts like a bastid...

I bought a Sears Craftsman DVM a decade ago.
The cheapy one died. Not that the Craftsman was very expensive either.
$20? But I do miss my old shop Flukes and Simpsons.

Craftsman has come in handy for our 15yo Kenmore dryer as well. Gas solenoids a couple years back and some other bit I've forgotten. Hardest part was getting my paws in a tiny little space so as to avoid taking the entire beast apart. $10 parts and an hour of my time. Round these parts, prolly saved $200.

When you're in there, vacuum out as much lint as you can get at.
If a itty bitty bit gets in the igniter cone, you can end up with a 8k whistle that goes off every time the gas ignites. Annoying as hell.
I didn't feel like going back in to find it. It finally got et, or whatever, a year later.

And again.
[forums.macresource.com]
Thanks Cary.
Looks like I never posted the fix.
Eventually, I took off the Taco relay box after putting light pressure on the pcb and having the relays clatter intermittently.
The pcb had 2 cold solder joints on the 110v terms. Sold as new, but judging from the solder, I'd say the HVAC guy ripped me off again and it was a refurb.
2 solder joints, an hour of time and cold, prolly saved $500 as I doubt an "emergency" heating call in the dead of winter would have soldered instead of selling me another "new" box for $300 plus "labor".

I love fixing my own stuff. Wish I took automotive in high school.

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

Forgot to update this thread with the results. The fix worked exactly as expected. Igniter came in less than 24 hours from the time I ordered it (basically was waiting for me when I woke up). Very stoked! Saved a few hundred dollars at the least. Only cost me $15, and an hours worth of my time (research, ordering parts, installation).

excellent!

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!#$@@$#!

proofraed by OwEn the c@t.