We have a mid 90s GE electric dryer which has recently developed a strange issue. I always use automatic cycle rather than timed. I also usually use medium heat. Lately I found the timer not advancing. If I remember correctly these GE's use a heat sensor rather than moisture sensor to advance the timer. I figured the sensor had gone bad and needed replacing. But I found that it works correctly and timer advances if set on high heat. Would the issue still be the sensor? Maybe it has gone out of spec and air temp when set on medium doesn't get hot enough to satisfy it but when set to hot it does?
90s GE Dryer question
- Thread starter ken
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I almost want to say you have a bad heating element. Several repair folks who post here will immediately be able to tell you.
It may have two heating elements. Your model number not stated for reference. One may be bad, thus not generating enough heat to trigger the thermostat for auto-dry.
A restring kit P/N WE11X10007 (if that's right for your model) is available instead of replacing the entire assembly.
A circa 2002 DS4500EB0WW that I refurbed and gave away to a Hurricane Harvey flood victim had two elements, one bad (among other issues). I used the restring kit.
I had thought about the heating element too. As a check, don't know if this was proper diagnosis, after letting it run for a short time on medium I opened the door to see if warm which it was. So I figured element was getting hot and wasn't the problem.
Most GE dryers have two heating elements. I personally would open the unit up and ohm things out.
I was a little off on the year. It's from 1999. Model DBXR453EVOWW. In checking more I find the problem is the heating element. The number Glenn stated above does check out as the correct restring kit for it. How common is it for the ceramic insulators to be cracked or broken? I see kits with the element only and others with new insulators.
