DIY diagnosis and repair of a broken clothes dryer to avoid a costly service call by an appliance repairman. Is it a faulty heater element, door switch, or idler pulley?
Repair That Clothes Dryer
There are electrical appliances all over the home today – probably more than are needed. If it's a kitchen appliance chances are that it has a digital clock integrated into it. Who needs that many clocks? But make no mistake, appliances make life easier. One of the most useful is the clothes dryer. The days of clothes lines and clothes pins have been over for years now because of this useful device.
But like anything else, things can and will go wrong with it. Repairs are expensive when a professional appliance repairman pays a diagnostic visit. But any homeowner can repair a clothes dryer and save money. All it takes is a little laundry appliance troubleshooting.
Is the Clothes Dryer not Heating?
If the dryer will tumble but it does not get hot, the problem is most likely the heating element. The modern clothes dryer is a remarkably simple contraption. All models will vary in their construction and layout; most drawings can be found with an Internet search. Once the interior location of the heating element is found, it's a simple matter to get to it and do a visual inspection. Be sure to unplug the dryer or flip the circuit breaker before going in!
If the break in the element can be seen, the diagnosis is complete. If it can't be seen the problem might still be there. There are two electrical leads on the element, one at each end of the heating element. A digital multi-meter can be used to test for continuity, or, uninterrupted electrical flow.
If this is the problem, it is a simple matter to replace the clothes dryer's heating element. Get a replacement heating element, remove the old one (the electrical connections and a couple of screws), and install the new one.
Dryer Drum Doesn't Tumble?
If the clothes dryer drum does not tumble, the first thing to check should be the motor. Is it running? If not, a meter should be used to determine whether it is getting power. If it is, but does not run or make noise, the motor should be replaced.
The motor runs but the drum still doesn't tumble? Check the belt. If the belt is broken then it's time to replace it. If the belt is still in good condition, the idler pulley and spring should be looked at. They might not be doing their job of keeping the proper tension on the belt.
Other Dryer Operation Problems
If a dryer just won't tumble or heat, the door switch may be the culprit. This switch's job is to keep the dryer from operating when the door is open. If it is suspect, it should be removed and the two leads should be checked for continuity.
If the clothes take too long to dry, make sure that the lint trap is clear and the exhaust is clear all the way from the dryer to the place it exits, usually to the exterior of the building. If the lint trap is cleared between each load, the clothes dryer will operate more efficiently and last for years to come.
