Clothes Dryer Problem

[MikeA]

See if you guys can help me out. Our gas clothes dryer heats up when empty however when loaded with clothes does not heat up. I recently replaced the igniter. Any ideas?

[jeff morocco]

make sure your lint trap and hose isnt clogged. could be either in the dryer itself or in the hose that leads to the outside. same thing happened to me. it cost me a new front load dryer And washer to match !!!

[Chevy454]

Check the thermal fuse...I had to replace the one in our dryer a few months ago...went out on the weekend of course, and with 6 of us in the house the washer/dryer are pretty important. Anyway, take the make/model and do a search on Google...I came up with a troubleshooting guide and a wiring diagram for ours. Think I had $12 for the part + 60 mile round trip for the part + my time, and then we were back up & running...

[wagonman]

Both of the previous posts gave you the right info!

A clogged lint hose is dangerous! it will heat up the thermal fuse and stop the igniter!The lint can cause a fire! Dont ever use your dryer when not at home!

But usually the thermal fuse is a one shot deal!

Once blown,it does not re-set and needs to be replaced.You said it heats up when empty,so i think it may be a clogged lint hose.Try using your shop vac in blowing mode and blow it out.I have even used my leaf blower on mine!Go easy at first to ensure you dont blow your lint hose apart!

[MikeA]

Thanks guys.

[Bill Pritchard]

Yep, about 2 years ago someone on this site (I think they were in Canada IIRC) had a bad fire in their house from a clogged dryer vent. Just prior to that time I had thought our trusty old dryer had bit the dust and was ready to go buy a new one. The wife suggested that I check the vent hose...I took it off and could not believe how much lint was stuck inside there Made a huge pile on the basement floor. Cleaned it all out and the dryer worked like new again. Those dryer fabric softener sheets gum everything up and make a mess...we don't use them any more.