Is this normal for auto dry?

[Chetlaham]

I have a Maytag MEDC300XW0. On auto dry it sounds like the timer is energizing and denergizing every other second at random. With the dryer door open and clothes away from the sensor the sound stops and the timer runs ok and sounds normal.

Is this normal or has something gone wrong?

 

[Chetlaham]

Correct That

*Sensor Dry

 

[DADoES]

 
Normal.  Presence of moisture across the sensor bars stalls the timer, absence of moisture runs the timer ... so it may turn on/off rapid-fire per the varying moisture-hit patterns while the load progresses toward dryness.

 

[Chetlaham]

Even down to second and sub second periods?

I always thought (assumed) the board had a restrain/timer; in that the dryness pads would have to sense reduced moisture for X amount of minutes before letting the timer run, and then X amount of minutes of moisture before re-activating the timer to prevent short cycling the timer.

But I guess I just learned something new!

 

[DADoES]

 
Maybe there is some logic involved but your description of the timer's action seems not.  Perhaps someone will come along and clarify.  Either way, a mechanical timer must physically run-out the time on the heating cam to cool down and off vs. an electronic control that is fully digital on detecting/counting and reacting to moisture hits.

 

[Chetlaham]

Makes sense, just seems like a rough way to drive a timer motor by having it drop on/off many times a minute as the moisture in the clothes goes down before the timer motor finally runs continuously.

 

[dustin92]

I have a gas Whirlpool that sounds exactly as you describe.. A rapid clicking and clunking sound. It's slightly annoying but working as designed.

 

[Chetlaham]

Yup, thats the sound! I rarely use sensor dry, but when I did yesterday and heard it for the first time I became alarmed thinking the dryness control board was malfunctioning. Its comforting to know this is indeed normal. And will not over heat the timer motor.

I will give Whirlpool credit for their sensor dry system, it is IMO one of the best on the market and does the job well.