Maytag is among the most well-known appliance manufacturers in the world. They have a solid reputation for producing high-quality appliances, like gas dryers and electric dryers, for any your needs. But, like any other appliance, they will eventually break.
In a Maytag Bravos dryer, the heating element, thermal fuse, thermal cut-off, gas valve solenoid, igniter, and other heating components can break and cause the dryer not to heat up.
Factory Reset after an error code is displayed on the dryer is one of the solutions to prevent the dryer in thermal overload by shutting it down. But this is not always the fix you need to repair your Maytag bravos dryer. Read more to learn how to resolve this problem.
Maytag Bravos Gas Dryer Not Heating Up: Causes and Repair
Your washing routine might become a bit stressful when you can’t dry your clothes to wear them. Take a few minutes to check airflow problems by examining your dryer’s exhaust vent before you begin disassembling your appliance. If no obstacles interfere with the appliance’s airflow, it’s time to investigate the most frequent causes of a non-heating gas dryer.
The Thermal Cut-Off in the Dryer Has Blown
A Maytag dryer not heating may be a sign that the thermal cut-off is defective. Luckily, for someone with basic DIY expertise and the appropriate equipment, the repairs should be very straightforward.
The first step is to take the clothes dryer out of the way so you can access the rear of it. Next, unplug the exhaust hose and disconnect it from the outlet. Finally, loosen all of the screws on the rear access panel with the nut driver.
The thermal cutoff is on the upper end of the heat cut-off, while the thermostat is on the lower end. Remove the two connects attached to the original thermal cut-off and the screw that holds it in position with a flat tip screwdriver.
Replace the old cut-off, tighten the screw, and attach the wires to the replacement part. Next, remove the existing thermostat using the same steps as before, then replace the cover.
Connect the power cable and the exhaust line to the dryer, then test it.
The Gas Valve Solenoid Fails
There are two or even more gas valve solenoid coils found in gas dryers. The gas valve solenoids enable gas to flow into the burner assembly if the igniter opens the gas valve ports. But, if the dryer’s burner assembly will not heat, the gas valve solenoid may be broken.
Open the gas valve and test the igniter to see whether one or many gas valve solenoids have failed. If you open the gas valve and the igniter lights and then goes out without lighting the gas, the igniter is likely broken. We suggest that you replace all of the gas valve coils if one or more igniters is faulty. If you can’t do it yourself, call an appliance repair shop to fix your Maytag dryer.
The gas located on the burner assembly is burned by the igniter using the heat of the burner. The gas will not ignite if the igniter is not operating, stopping the dryer from getting hot. With a multimeter, check the igniter for continuity to see if it has burned out. Replace the igniter if it does not have continuity.
Blown Thermal Fuse
Several safety measures exist within your Maytag dryer that are intended to protect the dryer from causing a high heat temperature and, consequently, a home fire. But conversely, these same safety measures may falter and cause the dryer not to heat up at all.
One of these mechanisms is known as a dryer thermal fuse, and it’s meant to suspend the heater circuit if it detects excessive heat that could combust clothing.
So, if you notice that your dryer’s timer has gone off and the clothes in each load aren’t dry, or if you think that it never warmed up at the time, a blown thermal fuse may be to blame.
The fix is simple in this situation. You can get a new thermal fuse from a Maytag shop or any appliance repair store. It should be replaced immediately.
Remove the dryer from the circuit breaker – make sure it is disconnected, and remove the exhaust vent (exhaust duct). It is located towards the bottom panel of the dryer blower wheel.
Connect the two wires on the connections of the replacement fuse.
Reassemble the access cover on the front panel and fasten all the screws.
Reposition the dryer after plugging in the power cable and connecting the exhaust line.
To test the thermal fuse, switch it on and observe whether it heats up.
The Dryer’s Heating Element Has Been Burned
Even if the dryer begins the drying cycle, clothes may not dry. A defective or fully broken heating element may malfunction midway through the cycle, failing to dry clothes.
Use a multimeter to check the terminal lead for signs of an exposed or shorted coil if you believe the heating element is partly or totally blown. You can contact Maytag and seek a replacement if you conclude that it is faulty and needs to be replaced. The repair should take no more than a few hours once you’ve received the component.
The heating element component is located at the bottom of the dryer. Remove the two screws which hold the heating element in position after disconnecting the wires with the flat tip screwdriver.
Drop down on the heating element assembly and totally remove it from the dryer after the screws are gone.
The thermostat must be removed from the previous heating element and installed on the new one.
Faulty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor on a gas dryer measures the heat generated by the flame. The dryer will not heat if the flame sensor is not operating so as to prevent a fire. Ensure the thermal fuse and igniter aren’t faulty before inspecting the flame sensor.
At room temperature, use a multimeter to check the flame sensor for continuity for you to test whether it’s faulty. Then, replace the flame sensor if it does not exhibit continuity at room temperature.
The High Limit Thermostat Failed
The high limit thermostat allows the heating element to turn on – so if the thermostat is malfunctioning, the heating element can’t pump heat into the dryer to dry your clothes.
Use a multimeter to test for a running condition on the high limit thermostat to see whether it’s working properly. You can call Maytag or any appliance repair shop if you need a new one.
Once you have the replacement high limit thermostat in your hands, remove the covers. Look for the original high limit thermostat, placed inside the heating element component at the dryer’s bottom part.
With a flat tip screwdriver, detach the two wires that are linked to the thermostat. Remove the old thermostat and replace it with the new one. You must reconnect the two wires to the thermostat after securing the screw on the thermostat.
The final step is to secure the access covers. Then, connect the cable to the outlet, reconnect the exhaust pipe, and return the appliance to its original location to test.
This helpful video will give you more visual instruction to troubleshoot your problem.
Broken Cycling Thermostat
The cycling thermostat regulates the air temperature by cycling the heat on and off. The dryer will not be able to heat if the cycling thermostat is broken. This is, however, an uncommon occurrence. Check all of the most usually faulty parts before repairing or replacing the cycling thermostat.
If you’ve confirmed that most of the other elements are in good operating order, check the thermostat for continuity with a multi-meter. In any case, that the thermostat doesn’t have continuity, it needs to be replaced.
Conclusion
Whether it’s one of the thermostats, the heating element, or some other component, you can feel good knowing that you now have the knowledge to troubleshoot—and perhaps even fix—part malfunctions in your own appliances, saving you money, stress, and time.
