Hotpoint gas dryer. No flame sensor? (Post Moved Here Into Correct Topic)
#1
07-08-10, 02:46 PM
Hotpoint gas dryer. No flame sensor? (Post Moved Here Into Correct Topic)
My hot point gas dryer model NVLR333GV0WW has stopped heating most of the time as of a couple days ago.
I have not been home much and it was my wife told me this. she didn't have any more details about, if the heat came on and then disappeared or what.
I opened it up yesterday and took the drum out, cleaned all the lint out of the ducting, motor, back of burner assembly and everything else with a shop vac, it was kinda nasty. I thought maybe reduced airflow was causing problems and some safety switch was shutting off the gas.
When I put it back together I started and stopped it about 5 times, the heat came on each time.
But then I washed some clothes and put them in there. I checked it a couple times and the heat was on. I checked again after about 25 mins and heat was off and clothes were wet.
I've never torn into a dryer before yesterday but have had similar problems with furnaces and it's been a flame sensor.
I've been looking online at different appliance part sellers and they all list lots of parts for this dryer but none of them lists a flame sensor.
I called GE parts and they say they don't list a flame sensor for this dryer at all.
I called an appliance parts place here in town and they took my model # and said they do have one for $60, how do they have it if GE themselves don't???
I saw this on ebay, we4x448 a flame sensor that's for GEs and hotpoint dryers but I don't know if it's the right one, or again if mine even has one??
GE HOTPOINT GAS DRYER FLAME SENSOR WE4X448 - eBay (item 370261716650 end time Jul-14-10 09:43:01 PDT)
Who's right here? Is there a different term for it than flame sensor?
And am I on the right track replacing a flame sensor (if it truly has one) or is there something else I should be trying first?
edit: and I didn't even look for a flame sensor on it yesterday when I opened it. As soon as I opened it and saw how bad the lint situation was inside I was just almost SURE that reduced airflow was my problem but I guess not.
I have not been home much and it was my wife told me this. she didn't have any more details about, if the heat came on and then disappeared or what.
I opened it up yesterday and took the drum out, cleaned all the lint out of the ducting, motor, back of burner assembly and everything else with a shop vac, it was kinda nasty. I thought maybe reduced airflow was causing problems and some safety switch was shutting off the gas.
When I put it back together I started and stopped it about 5 times, the heat came on each time.
But then I washed some clothes and put them in there. I checked it a couple times and the heat was on. I checked again after about 25 mins and heat was off and clothes were wet.
I've never torn into a dryer before yesterday but have had similar problems with furnaces and it's been a flame sensor.
I've been looking online at different appliance part sellers and they all list lots of parts for this dryer but none of them lists a flame sensor.
I called GE parts and they say they don't list a flame sensor for this dryer at all.
I called an appliance parts place here in town and they took my model # and said they do have one for $60, how do they have it if GE themselves don't???
I saw this on ebay, we4x448 a flame sensor that's for GEs and hotpoint dryers but I don't know if it's the right one, or again if mine even has one??
GE HOTPOINT GAS DRYER FLAME SENSOR WE4X448 - eBay (item 370261716650 end time Jul-14-10 09:43:01 PDT)
Who's right here? Is there a different term for it than flame sensor?
And am I on the right track replacing a flame sensor (if it truly has one) or is there something else I should be trying first?
edit: and I didn't even look for a flame sensor on it yesterday when I opened it. As soon as I opened it and saw how bad the lint situation was inside I was just almost SURE that reduced airflow was my problem but I guess not.
#2
07-08-10, 04:36 PM
and now I've found 2 parts websites that do show a flame sensor for this, so it does have one.
Weird the first ones I looked at didn't, they had almost everything you'd need to build my model dryer but that.
But any advice on if that should be my first step now that I know there are no airflow problems?
If that doesn't do it and I have to spend much more I'm probably going to give up and get just get a new dryer or maybe from some shop here in town that says they sell reconditioned guaranteed washer dryer pairs for $250. maybe they'd sell just a dryer for half that or fix mine for not much.
Weird the first ones I looked at didn't, they had almost everything you'd need to build my model dryer but that.
But any advice on if that should be my first step now that I know there are no airflow problems?
If that doesn't do it and I have to spend much more I'm probably going to give up and get just get a new dryer or maybe from some shop here in town that says they sell reconditioned guaranteed washer dryer pairs for $250. maybe they'd sell just a dryer for half that or fix mine for not much.
#3
07-09-10, 05:32 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
Use ohm meter to check sensor (open bad) Don't think problem is there, Usually coils on top of gas valve. They will work for a short while than heat up and open. Replace both coils.
#4
07-09-10, 06:36 AM
Thanks, I'll have to check.
So I should never see an open on a good flame sensor? even when cold?
And is there a way to test this stuff by running the dryer with panels off? Or do I need to put it all back together before trying to start?
It seems to me that without the front panel of the dryer on there's no airflow being directed in the direction of the burner, this would be unsafe to try and start it up like this right?
So I should never see an open on a good flame sensor? even when cold?
And is there a way to test this stuff by running the dryer with panels off? Or do I need to put it all back together before trying to start?
It seems to me that without the front panel of the dryer on there's no airflow being directed in the direction of the burner, this would be unsafe to try and start it up like this right?
#5
07-09-10, 04:35 PM
pugsi's answer is solid. I had the same problem, and after troubleshooting it, came to the same conclusion. Wish I'd looked here first!
If you put an ohm-meter across the coils, and record their readings, you'll probably find that the one with two contacts will open up if you put it in a 200˚*oven for a few minutes. You have to replace them as a set, though. About $35 for the pair. Some parts sites charge double that. Don't pay it...
If you put an ohm-meter across the coils, and record their readings, you'll probably find that the one with two contacts will open up if you put it in a 200˚*oven for a few minutes. You have to replace them as a set, though. About $35 for the pair. Some parts sites charge double that. Don't pay it...
#6
07-10-10, 04:38 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
Almost everything on a dryer is a closed circuit ( open usually bad) Coils you have to ohm out but usually only go open when heated.
#7
07-22-10, 06:26 PM
The coils did it, thank you all!
Have done 3 loads of drying since I replaced them this afternoon.
I bought them at a place in town for $50, figured I'd pay a bit more to not have to wait anymore. With stuff going on at work and a surprise out of state wedding we had to go to, I'd waited long enough!
edit: haha but the place we bought them said "oh no that's not going to fix it"
edit again: my motherboard in my good computer quit a month ago and a new warranty replacement board came in today and I got that running too, been a good "fixing" day.
Have done 3 loads of drying since I replaced them this afternoon.
I bought them at a place in town for $50, figured I'd pay a bit more to not have to wait anymore. With stuff going on at work and a surprise out of state wedding we had to go to, I'd waited long enough!
edit: haha but the place we bought them said "oh no that's not going to fix it"
edit again: my motherboard in my good computer quit a month ago and a new warranty replacement board came in today and I got that running too, been a good "fixing" day.
