GE Dryer does not run
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 7
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts

Hello!
We have a GE dryer that is approx 7 years old (we bought the house in 2000, washer & dryer were 'about a year old' at the time).
I wish I had more information at this moment but I do not. My wife called saying the 'dryer doesn’t work' and I have been able to glean the following:
This dryer has a spring action start dial, not a button. Turn dial to 'start', and release. When the dial is turned to start, a hum emanates from what appears to be the body of the machine (rather than from the switch area). When the switch is released, the hum stops. The drum is able to be turned manually, but as you turn it the resistance increases. If you stop turning, and again attempt to turn, the process repeats (it does not seem to keep the resistance but again builds it up). The dryer was full with wet clothes at the time. This is a sudden failure; yesterday it worked fine with no symptoms that I am aware of.
I will try to be more specific later when I get to look at it.
Does this sound like a dead motor?
TIA
EDIT: Well, I'm home and have had a chance to look at it. With my wife holding the door switch in, I tried the on switch and it worked! Obviously when the door switch was released it stopped. Shut the door and tried the starter again, and it worked, again.
So is this a weak motor, as opposed to a dead one?
We have a GE dryer that is approx 7 years old (we bought the house in 2000, washer & dryer were 'about a year old' at the time).
I wish I had more information at this moment but I do not. My wife called saying the 'dryer doesn’t work' and I have been able to glean the following:
This dryer has a spring action start dial, not a button. Turn dial to 'start', and release. When the dial is turned to start, a hum emanates from what appears to be the body of the machine (rather than from the switch area). When the switch is released, the hum stops. The drum is able to be turned manually, but as you turn it the resistance increases. If you stop turning, and again attempt to turn, the process repeats (it does not seem to keep the resistance but again builds it up). The dryer was full with wet clothes at the time. This is a sudden failure; yesterday it worked fine with no symptoms that I am aware of.
I will try to be more specific later when I get to look at it.
Does this sound like a dead motor?
TIA
EDIT: Well, I'm home and have had a chance to look at it. With my wife holding the door switch in, I tried the on switch and it worked! Obviously when the door switch was released it stopped. Shut the door and tried the starter again, and it worked, again.
So is this a weak motor, as opposed to a dead one?
Last edited by PTRich; 04-20-06 at 02:44 PM.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 7
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts
No. The 'hum' turns out to be the usual noise it has always made when it engages the motor, it really didn't sound any different to me. The only difference was the tumbler didn't start. The analogy would be if your car doesn't start but the starter sounds normal...the motor just doesn't fire.
It ended up drying the clothes properly, and after unloading we again tried to start it, and it worked fine. It's never presented a problem before...
Very strange!
It ended up drying the clothes properly, and after unloading we again tried to start it, and it worked fine. It's never presented a problem before...
Very strange!
#6
Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2
Received 0 Votes
on
0 Posts

general electric heavy duty automatic dryer
permanent press with cool down
model#dde5300galad
serial#TT242760G
Dryer does not start. I haven’t used it in 2 weeks, I unplugged it & plugged it back in. I turn off the trip switch on the electrical panel & turned it back on. I remove all the lint each time I use the dryer. The door is securely closed & I turn it on the way I usually do but the dryer will not start. I am not sure how old it is when I moved here it was already installed it's over 7years old. Should I buy a new dryer or do you have suggestions on what I can check/fix before I buy a new one? Thank you in advance for your time/help on this I read through this website there is alot of info. I appreciate it :-)
permanent press with cool down
model#dde5300galad
serial#TT242760G
Dryer does not start. I haven’t used it in 2 weeks, I unplugged it & plugged it back in. I turn off the trip switch on the electrical panel & turned it back on. I remove all the lint each time I use the dryer. The door is securely closed & I turn it on the way I usually do but the dryer will not start. I am not sure how old it is when I moved here it was already installed it's over 7years old. Should I buy a new dryer or do you have suggestions on what I can check/fix before I buy a new one? Thank you in advance for your time/help on this I read through this website there is alot of info. I appreciate it :-)