Maytag Dryer Problems, can it be fixed?

Question

My dryer at home lately has been having a problem with stopping during the cycle.  This morning i started a load to check to make sure the dryer was getting hot, it was but when i went to start it back up it just buzzed as if the door was open.

so i check the door, turned the knob to off and hit start it buzzed.  i tried a couple different cycles.  same thing.  the last time i pressed start it buzzed and just stopped.  it smelled like melted electronics/plastic.

i checked the electrial panel and nothing was tripped so i unplugged the dryer and im figuring on it shorted out.

is this something that can be fixed or is it best to just get a new one and not waste money patching/repairing the machine?

also if there is something else i could try i would be glad to do it.

Corky R · Accepted Answer

If you do decide to take this thing apart looking for fuses with burnt wires going to them, you should know that the fuses in dryers don't look like normal fuses.  They are usually more like thermostats and sometimes they are a white plastic oval shaped item with a couple wires going to it.  They do go out, but they seldom burn up and melt wiring.   Personally, I'd say this sounds a lot like a timer problem.  And as WB says at the end of his answer, if it's more than 10 years old, it's probably time to  check out new dryers.  They are quite a bit more efficient, besides having more bells and whistles than you can count.

Anonymous · Answer

Maytag Dryer Problems

WB · Answer

If the fuses are good, check the safety switch on the door. You can bypass this if it is bad. It cuts off the dryer when the door is open. If the fuses and the safety switch is good, then it sounds like the timer. If the dryer is old (10 -20 years) then I would replace it before changing the timer. If it is fairly new and in good shape, then I would check to see how much it costs to put the timer in. Newer dryers are more energy efficient then older ones.

ec1177 · Answer

Its probably the door safety switch.  This is a simple fix. Open the top of the dryer and you should be able to see the switch by the outside door.  the wires will be plug ins and the switch is held there either by a screw or a plastic tab.  remove it and take it with you to the appliance store and get a new one.  Good Luck

let me be clear · Answer

smelled like melted electronics/plastic = A safety fuse may have burned out. The fuse and the electric wire that leads to it from over heating the dryer. You must take off the back of your dryer and then look to see if the fuse is burnt out. If so go to a electrical store and take the fuse and wire  (it is burned to) to them and for less than $30.00 you could fix it.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4896893_check-dryer-thermal-fuse.html

Anonymous · Answer

When I open the dryer door the panel lites come on and it says DO. Which obviously means door. When I push the white button in, the lites go off.

Maytag Dryer Problems, can it be fixed?

6 Answers