How to Repair a Maytag Gas Dryer That Isn’t Producing Heat

When your Maytag gas dryer model MGDX655DW is no longer generating heat, your laundry routine can get a bit chaotic. However, before you start disassembling your appliance to search for a possible malfunction, take a minute to rule out an airflow issue by inspecting your dryer’s venting system. If you don’t find any obstructions interrupting the appliance’s air circulation, it’s time to investigate the most common malfunctions that lead to a non-heating gas dryer.

Gas Dryer Repair Tips

To avoid electrocution, unplug your dryer from the wall or switch it off at the circuit breaker. Don’t forget to turn off the gas running to your appliance before you begin your repair. Gloves and safety goggles should be worn to protect your hands and eyes from sharp objects during the disassembly and assembly process.

The Igniter

The coils on your dryer’s igniter glow orange as they heat up. Once the component reaches the appropriate temperature, the radiant flame sensor will open the gas control valve. The igniter than ignites the gas released by the valve. Unfortunately, the coils on an igniter can burn out, meaning the component will not achieve a high enough temperature to open the gas control valve. If your dryer has a faulty igniter, the part will need to be replaced to resolve the appliance’s heating issue.

How to Replace an Igniter in Your Maytag Dryer

1. Pull out the lint screen from the top of your appliance and unthread the two screws found underneath it.
2. At the right and left corner of your dryer, insert a putty knife between the main top panel and the main front panel. Slide the putty knife an inch or two towards the center of your dryer to locate the right and left locking tabs. Once you run into the tabs, use the putty knife to disengage their locking mechanisms. Flip your dryer’s main top panel over and rest it against your laundry room wall.
3. Before you can remove your appliance’s front panel, you’ll need to disconnect the door switch wire harness. Once the wires are free, unthread the screws on the inside of the dryer frame that secure the front panel to the appliance. Now tilt the front panel back a little and lift it up and off your dryer.
4. To access the igniter, you’ll need to remove the dryer drum. To do so, on the right side of your appliance, reach your arm between the dryer floor and the dryer drum to take the belt off the idler pulley. Once the belt is loose, you can stand up and guide the drum out of the dryer’s cabinet.
5. With the drum out of the way, you can disconnect the igniter from the burner tube by unthreading the screw that holds the two components together. Once the screw is out, pull the igniter off the burner tube, and detach the wire harness running to the part. Now remove the screw that secures the igniter to its mounting bracket.
6. The coils on an igniter are fragile, so as you install the new igniter take extra care not to damage them, or else you’ll end up having to re-order the part. Carefully place the igniter on its mounting bracket and secure it with a screw. Then, reconnect the component to the burner tube and replace the screw you took out earlier. Next, reconnect the igniter’s wire harness.
7. Now it’s time to reassemble your appliance. Start by putting the drum back into the cabinet. Once the drum is situated, reach under it to reconnect the belt to the idler pulley and the motor shaft.
8. Reinstall the front panel, and reconnect the door switch wire harness. After the front panel is secure, lower the main top panel and push down on it to engage the locking tabs. Replace the screws you removed from underneath the lint screen, and slide the lint screen back into its housing.
9. Plug your appliance back in and turn on the gas. To test out the new igniter, throw a load of wet clothes into the appliance and hit the start button.

The Flame Sensor

Your dryer’s flame sensor is located on the burner assembly near the igniter. As its name implies, the part senses the heat produced by the igniter. When the igniter generates enough heat, the flame sensor tells the gas valve solenoids to open the gas valve. If the sensor is malfunctioning it won’t send a message to the solenoids, which will lead to your dyer not heating . Switching out the defective flame sensor for a new one will fix your dryer’s heating problem.

How to Replace the Flame Sensor in Your Maytag Dryer

1. The flame sensor is found on the burner assembly, so you’ll need to disassemble your dryer to reach the part. To do so, follow the igniter replacement steps 1 through 4, provided above.
2. After you’ve taken your appliance apart, locate the flame sensor on the burner assembly. To remove the sensor, unthread the screw at the top of its mounting bracket. Pull the flame sensor off the burner assembly and disconnect the wires running to the component’s terminals. If you’re having a hard time detaching the wires, use a small flat head screwdriver to loosen their connections before pulling them off.
3. Grab your new flame sensor, and start the installation process by attaching the wires to the proper terminals. Then, secure the component and its bracket to the burner assembly with the screw you removed earlier.
4. Now that your dryer is equipped with a functioning flame sensor, you’ll need to reassemble the appliance. To put the dryer back together, follow steps 7 and 8 provided above in the igniter replacement repair guide.

Additional Malfunctions

• The Thermal Fuse protects a dryer from overheating. In a gas dryer the fuse is located on or near the burner assembly. If the fuse is tripped by a higher than normal temperature, the dryer will no longer produce heat. Unfortunately, once a fuse is blown, it needs to be replaced. However, before you switch out the fuse for a new one, make sure you figure out why it tripped in the first place; otherwise, your dryer will overheat again and possibly start a fire in your home.
• The Gas Valve Solenoids in your dryer are located on top of the gas valve. When the igniter has achieved the proper temperature, the flame sensor will tell the solenoids to open the gas valve ports. When the ports are open, gas is released into the burner assembly. If the igniter burns orange, but no gas is ignited, there ‘s a good chance one of the solenoids is faulty.

If your gas dryer isn’t getting hot and you’re unable to pinpoint the malfunction, please contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained appliance repair technicians.