Technical Question Regarding LG “Flow Sense” on Dryer – Model DLEX3470

[iujock]

Howdy!

I normally am found on the sister site of vacuumland as I collect vacuum cleaners. I have found the wealth of information on this forum a great help when it was time to purchase, yet again, a new front load washer for the fourth time in 13 years.

I recently purchased a new LG electric dryer, model DLEX3470W. The serial number indicates that it was manufactured January of 2014. My question is regarding the operation of the “Flow Sense” feature.

On page 29 of the user manual are the directions on how to activate the “Flow Sense” installation test (press and hold the SIGNAL and TEMP. CONTROL buttons and then press the POWER button. The display will read “1n5” and then press START). The user manual states that one of two results will be displayed at the end of the test:

The “Flow Sense” icon will illuminate with a square box with no bars indicating that no restriction was found or:

The “Flow Sense” icon will illuminate with a square box with 4 bars indicating that severe duct blockage was detected.

The test then concludes with the message “EnD” and the dryer turns off. If any trouble codes are found they precede the “End” message and prevent the dryer from turning off.

I have run the test four times and every time the “Flow Sense” icon does not illuminate at all but the test concludes displaying no error codes and with the message “EnD”.

I have talked to three technicians at LG and received three different answers. I have even went as far as to download the service manual for this dryer and the verbiage states in the service manual that the icon only has two states: either a square box with no bars or a square box with 4 bars displayed.

I have ran the diagnoistic test according to the service manual and the indicator does iluuminiate during the test so I know that the display is working.

Is my dryer functioning correctly by not displaying the icon at all because little/no duct blockage was found and this is how the feature works or is my new dryer a little wonky?

Disclaimer: I know to have my dryer ducts cleaned annually and to dissemble the dryer on a similar schedule to vacuum out all the lint/dog fur that accumulates and not to rely on an advertised “feature” of the dryer. My question is merely of technical interest.

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[powerfin64]

I bought a new LG DLEX 2650 dryer this past november, and it has this same feature. To answer your question, Yes, it is functioning as it is suppost to. IE: no bars= no blockage, 4 bars= some/alot of blockage. hope this helps out. nothing is wrong with your dryer.

Rich

 

[iujock]

Thank you for your answer. I understand the no / four bars but my icon does not illuminate at all. From the owner's manual and service guide I understand that the icon "Flow Sense" should be illuminated with either a box with no bars or a box with four bars showing. My icon does not illuminate at all. Please see attached images.

 

[iujock]

This is what I see (please disregard the "Check Filter" icon, it flashes every time the dryer is turned on as a reminder):

 

[powerfin64]

ok, I see what your talking about now, I misunderstood you. What did LG tell you? Unless LG changed a few things on dryers, I have no idea why it would not be illuminated.

 

[iujock]

The first LG technician was unable to understand what I was attempting to describe (language barrier). I called back a couple of hours later and spoke to a 2nd technician who said that the light is suppose to be illuminated with an empty box at all times and that my unit required service. The 3rd technician said it is operating properly.

After reading the thread "Thread Number: 52743 - Tweaking Whirlpool Automatic Dryness Control" and looking at the schematic of my dryer, I'm going to assume the operation is normal. Near the bottom of the thread the poster wired a "Check Engine" light to illuminate if his dryer is operating on the hi limit thermostat instead of the operation thermostat and I have to wonder if this is theory of operation behind the operation of LG's Flow Sense. I have a friend who has the Kenmore version of my dryer (the Kenmore verson lacks 2 cycles and a stainless steel drum) and it has the same schematic. The Kenmore owner's manual states that the "Check Vent" light only comes on when there is serious blockage.

At this point I am going to keep the dryer since LG is offering me a $250. damage allowance for a minor dent on the back side which is not viewable and consider the dryer a bargain since it originally was $1099. and after all is said and done I will have paid $392. for it (it was NIB and during delivery and the unboxing I noticed the dent on the rear side had occurred during manufacturing since the box was pristine).

 

[powerfin64]

If your LG is still under warranty I would go with what the 2nd technician said, and have it serviced. I just checked mine, and when I turn it on, the words light up and all the bars will light up gradually one by one, and the words "flow sense" stay lighted after that. To me, it would be worth peace of mind to have it checked.