Maytag 641c dryer dianostic

[riverrat]

My wife loves this old dryer. She uses it regularly. I would like to keep it working for her as long as possible because a happy wife means a happy life. It seems that on the regular heat cycle it's not producing any heat, however it does get warm when using permanent press. question:can only part of the heating element go bad as in one section or will the element go bad in its entirety. Is there a test for the heating element to diagnose. Could this be related to either the low cycle or high cycle thermostat as the wiring diagram indicates that the low cycle thermostat does have a wire that goes to the regular fabric switch. I have a multimeter and can use the basic functions, amperage, voltage and continuity. Need suggestions or diagnostic techniques to help find the source of the problem.

Thanks for your consideration
Peter

 

[maytag85]

Since it’s not heating on the regular temperature but however works on the Wash N Wear/Permanent Press temperature, likely the regular heat cycling thermostat has gone bad since that’s what is used all the time as opposed to the Permanent Press temperature. A new cycling thermostat will correct that issue, don’t need to get a OEM Maytag thermostat since the Supco thermostats are all over Amazon and eBay at the moment. Just be sure to replace it with one that’s rated for the temperature that the original regular heat thermostat is rated for.

 

[riverrat]

Thermostat switches...

Awesome! I kinda hope its not the element. Can I continuity check the switches? Seems like they should be closed at room temp. The regular heat one then might be the low cycle or high cycle one indicated by the diagram?. Guess I'll try check them both with the multimeter and see if one is different than the other. I'll look to see what spec is on them. Thank you

 

[maytag85]

Your welcome. If it was the heating element, it wouldn’t be heating on any of the other temperatures. Cycling and high limit thermostats are usually closed at room temperature but after many years, the bimetallic metal in the thermostats gets weak and sometimes to the point where it won’t really work anymore or will barely work. Gas dryers don’t have as many thermostat issues since there’s not much juice going through the thermostats as opposed to electric dryers since a gas dryer only has 10 to 20 watts of power going through the thermostat to the gas valve coils.

 

[riverrat]

A lucky day

Well, I guess I must just be living right. While cleaning up and inspecting the thermostat switches and generally everything inside the back of the dryer I have found the problem. A wire had come off the Spade terminal of one of the thermostat switches, how easy could it be. I clean the greasy lint off at the bottom of the dryer vacuumed out everything else and gave it a blow with the air hose. I've sent the wife to town for a new drive belt, and a light bulb then I'll put it back together and collect my brownie points. Woohoo

And as far as curiosity did kill the cat I just have to ask, what is the purpose of an 'ozone' light in the back of the dryer, am I adding to or depleting the ozone layer of the Earth if it's burnt out or what?

 

[tomturbomatic]

The Ozone bulb is in the air stream that goes through the cabinet from the back to the front where it goes over the heating element and into the drum. It gives a mild fresh fragrance to the fabrics. It probably does not substantially contribute to atmospheric ozone. Ozone lamps are a holdover from the days of low air flow and condenser dryers and the perfume they produce became less noticeable when dryers with higher air flow were introduced.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #5

Noticed items always had a unique scent in my Whirlpool when the normal drying speed was used. Sometimes I think that’s the reason why my Whirlpool dryer was only used on the normal speed by the looks of it when I picked it up back in 2020.

 

[luxflairguy]

I notice one thing I'm going to "shout out" about! That's the cheap crappy vinyl exhaust hose you are using! Get rid of it! It's the #1 cause of vent fires and should not be used period! Step up to aluminum pipe PLEASE! I twill outlast and out perform the vinyl any day and is so much safer! If you want this dryer to last longer, do it today! Greg

 

[riverrat]

The end result

Replaced a belt and a bulb, repaired the terminal block, reconnected a wire, and replaced missing screws....and learned something doing it as well. Awesome. I'll be back!!

 

[lowefficiency]

Glad you found the problem, but do be sure to heed the advice on the vent piping before putting the machines back into service...

 

[juliegott]

Vinyl Hose removal strongly agreed

I have to agree with a shout out for that vinyl hose- not only are they are the #1 cause for vent fires, it is said that 35% of ALL fires, relate to and are caused by dryer vents. This hose is not only the wrong material, but also is not straight, as desired way for venting Halo of heat and all other dryers.
I've only seen vinyl hose attached to the outer end pipe,never saw it inside the panel before.
I believe all pipe should be metal for good air flow.
The side panel cut out holes, on either side, line up perfectly for a straight extension pipe, so even that curve in the vinyl hose, creates a problem with impeded air flow.
So please be safe and replace that hose with metal ASAP.
You will also probably notice an improved difference in drying.
Nice machine otherwise !