My dryer just quit. Photo of my dryer's model tag plus link to FB Marketplace replacement option.

[weed30]

My dryer suddenly won't start. I plan to do some investigating to find out what could be wrong with it, but found an older model that might be an OK replacement in case mine is truly dead or would cost too much to repair.

 

I am not picky, I just want a reliable dryer with manual controls and I prefer a door that flips down rather than a side hinge. The link is to the possible replacement dryer, the photo is the tag on my current unit. One hesitation is the lint trap location on the replacement dryer. Mine has the kind that's on the top of the dryer near the control panel, the linked one seems to be the kind that is located at the front/bottom of the drum. Somewhere in my brain is a random piece of knowledge that the top lint filters are better.

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[weed30]

here's another one for sale

This looks similar to my current one.

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[combo52]

What went wrong with your dryer? It might be very simple fix compared to the work of hauling the dryer in and out hooking it up, etc..

If it’s just totally silent, it could be as simple as a bad door switch or a thermal fuse on the exhaust housing.

If it hums and groans when you go to start, but doesn’t run that’s another issue more likely a bad motor, but that usually doesn’t happen suddenly.

 

[weed30]

It's completely silent. I'll post more symptoms tomorrow, I did a lot of yard work today and I am beat!

 

[weed30]

good morning!

Sorry, I was so tired last night I couldn't keep my eyes open. Amazing what a little manual labor in the heat will do!

 

So I am pretty sure it is the door switch as you suggested. Symptom: In the recent past I've had to close the door more than once or close it pretty hard to get it to start. Yesterday I did that and it began to start and then stopped; like it was on for one second and then quit. It did that twice in a row and it now does nothing. If I am correct, is the linked part the right one?

 

I plan to clean the inside of the dryer while I have things open. I will unplug it and turn off the gas supply first - any other safety items I need to know?  In the past I've used a hairdryer to blow some of the lint out since I feel like a shop vac blows too hard and might mess something up. (sometimes I invent problems in my head

 

I will be pulling off the exhaust ducting for inspection and cleaning too. I have the semi-rigid ducting so it's not too hard to clean effectively.

https://www.partselect.com/PS11723153-Whirlpool-W10820036-Lid-Switch.htm?SourceCode=1&SearchTerm=LG5801XKW1&ModelNum=LG5801XKW1

 

[combo52]

Possible bad dryer door switch

I think you’re on the right track. It sounds like a bad door switch. The one in the picture will fit your dryer, some of the imitation door switches like that one don’t fit that well. If the metal bracket on your original switch looks better use the old bracket, but the switch itself is probably OK

You can just raise the top of the dryer and reach down and replace the switch, but if you wanna take the dryer apart more completely and remove the front and vacuum it all out that’s not a bad idea, be careful vacuuming around the gas burner inside the round metal cone if you hit the igniter with the end of the vacuum, etc., or a brush, you can break the igniter very easily. It’s fragile so I would avoid putting anything inside that round cone on the lower left side. You can blow the dust out if you like

Put one drop of oil on each side of both the rear rollers and on each side of the roller on the belt idler pulley reassemble the dryer. You should be good to go the biggest dangerous is sharp edges. Be careful you don’t cut your fingers, etc. on sharp metal it might pay to wear some sort of gloves.

This dryer is a great dryer. You should be able to keep it for another many years.

John L

 

[weed30]

thank you

I found switches on ebay for better pricing - they are listed as 'factory certified' so I might go with one of those. Example at the link. (link is now fixed.)

 

Is mine a 1997 model? Model LG5801XKW1 Serial M31k704199

You're right it is a great dryer - it came with the house when I bought it in 2010.

 

edit: dumb question however I'll ask anyway: I have a tiny hand-held chainsaw and I have oil that I use for the chain. I can use that in the dryer right?

 

[this post was last edited: 5/15/2025-08:01]

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>Model LG5801XKW1 Serial M31704199</blockquote> K in the model number indicates 1982 model-year.  M317 is manufacture in April 1983.

 

[combo52]

Oil for rollers, etc.

I would use a light machine oil such as sewing machine, oil, bicycle oil, three and one oil, etc. I’m not sure what the viscosity of the chainsaw oil is

John L

 

[weed30]

thanks again!

You are a gem

 

 

 

[weed30]

The actual problem was.......

OY!!!!  I opened the dryer to take the door switch out and it was missing one screw and the other one had been installed through the square switch opening instead of the screw hole so it wasn't actually attached and was just dangling! I am guessing the continued vibration of the dryer eventually vibrated the improperly installed switch enough where the whole thing popped off. No wonder the dryer wouldn't turn on. Do not ask me how that happened - I swear I have never touched the switch,  I have only replaced the belt on this dryer. So I installed it correctly and it works again.

 

Regardless of how dumb this was, I'm glad it happened because the dryer definitely needs a good lint cleaning inside. Thanks again to all of you experts who are always so patient and helpful.