Neptune (drying center) on fritz

[fltcoils]

My drying center neptune gas dryer is on the fritz.

MCG8000AWW REV10
SN10467307CX

It worked well in the morning, and the 'lectric cabinate part still works.

But the gas drum dryer refuses to begin the cycle/turn/tumble when hitting the on button. The keypad works well, and as said before the other 1/2 of the drying center, the drying cabinate works well. However the "normal" dryer is kaputt.

Could this be a failure of the temp sensor or hot surf igniter?

I recall that I used to be able to run the unit on air fluf, when it was uninstalled and not hooked to the gas line. But now that won't do the trick.

Nothing will persuade it to start rotating and blowing, even on timed air fluf. The on button just doesn't work.

And the answer is????? ^^
oo

 

[fltcoils]

pic2

 

[fltcoils]

pic3

 

[spankomatic]

Door switch

This is probably NOT the problem but worth a try and easy to check. I would check the door switch. With the dryer door open push in the door switch. See if the light goes off. Holding the button in try the start button and see if it runs.

Good luck!

Jim

 

[jeffg]

Are you able to turn the drum manually?

In case you want to try and fix it yourself, here are the parts diagrams for this model:

http://www.partselect.com/AdvancedModelSearch.aspx?ModelNum=MCG8000AWW&mfgModelNum=&fkMfgID=1

 

[jeffg]

Also try the dryer's diagnostics. See pgs. 12+ in the service manual here:

http://www.servicematters.com/maytag_library/docs/16022785.pdf

 

[jeffg]

One other link

The technical sheet..

From what I've read elsewhere you might want to first check the wiring harness, which apparently sits on (and is eventually worn by) the drum.

http://www.servicematters.com/maytag_library/docs/16023137.pdf

 

[coldspot66]

Herrin-built dryers have a thermal fuse in line with the motor circuit. It's located on the heater box on a conventional dryer....might be in the same place on the drying center, which is the top left rear behind the drum. Fuselink kit # is LA-1053.

 

[fltcoils]

Jeff, Thanks for the manuals

John, I hope it isn't the thermal fuse. I can't imagine how to get to the top of the lower unit without disassembling the whole upper section....

 

[fltcoils]

There seem to be 3 thermal sensors, same PN. Two are labeled as item 14 on the pic, the last one is labeled item 15.

Items 14 are PS96106 SUB LA1053
Item 15 is PS96126 SUB LA1053

Time to diagnose...

Or might a fault in the ignition coil, PS334310, suppress drum start, even if one is on air fluff?

 

[coldspot66]

Oops..............didn't realize this was a gas dryer.

 

[coldspot66]

There is a thermal fuse in line with the dryer motor circuit..# 12 in the above illustration. Fuselink kit p/n is LA-1053.Not sure how to get to it, though.

 

[coldspot66]

Sorry...#15 in above illustration.

 

[fltcoils]

Keypad

It was the keypad.

Easy to tell when using the diagnostic mode
that's really cool.

I finished the load by running the thing manually using diag mode.

Anyone with a neptune should try the diagnostic mode.
press signal up and time up simultaneously for 5 sec (sig dn to exit)
then toggle thru the menu using temp up/dn buttons.
Pd to test keypad, Fu/Fo to run motors. Fh and FL to run motor and burner....I think that's right.

Anyhow, diag mode allows you to bypass the software and toggle all the output relays manually using the Sc mode.
Imagine what you could do with a PC and all those built in relays and temp sensors....create a super neptune?

thanks again.
now to find a new front panel

 

[fltcoils]

Dilemma

I'm in a bit of a dilemma on this repair.

The price for the replacement bubble button panel was about $90 a few months ago. It's now $320 or so. That is a sure sign we've reached a "fleet end of life" for this failure. No replacements made and all the units busted needing parts.

Delete rant.
Focus.

Any solutions besides morgaging the house to repair this? I like it a lot, besides the worn out broken bubble button.

What have others done?

P.S. I could use a few broken panels to dissect, perhaps they can be repaired like VCR remotes can be when the bubble contacts paint rubs off.

 

[coldspot66]

I can get you the part for $250.00 plus tax and shipping. Part# is 31001658. It's so expensive because they don't make the machine anymore...and, I think, they didn't sell alot of them. You can email me if interested.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Hold on, Sparky...

Your serial number shows date of manufacture as Dec. '03. That's LESS that 5 years old. I'll bet you could show a receipt showing date of purchase making that even less. Find your manual and the warranty guide SHOULD show a >5< years parts warranty on the microcomputer/board/touch module. I believe your console/membraine SHOULD be covered! Even if you don't have a receipt, Whirlpool should accept the date of manufacture as proof of less than 5 years old...

RCD

 

[fltcoils]

Thanks for all your solutions.

One person found me what seems to be a "normal" price for the consol.

The suggestion about the warrenty work is also worth pursuing. Since I"m the 2nd owner, got it from a criagslist couple who moved and found it wouldn't fit down the stairs, I wasn't sure I qualified for warrenty work.

During testing I found that the diagnostic didn't go far enough. Running the button response diagnostic does verify the button not responding, but doesn't tell if it's the membrane pad or the logic board. I've now tested further and verified it's not the membrane pad, it's the logic board.

I wish I could replace the chip or diode or cap or flip flop or whatever went capooy on the board. It's not that hard to solder in a new surface mount component.

But I'll first look into a board replacement.
-----------
Anyone with knowledge of the components on the board (schematic-plist), I could always use more data.

 

[fltcoils]

I love the warranty idea, but I am not the original owner, and the paper says proof of purchase is needed.

oh well.

Maytag lists a ph# in the 2003 maint manual
1-888-462-9824
but perhaps that's defunct since the takeover.

Should I use the whirlpool 1-866-968-2538 number?

Life goes on.
"Last of the summer wine" and "one foot in the grave" are on tonight. That will make up for all this.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

1st, 2nd, 3rd.... Who cares?

The warranty is transferrable. BTW, yours was never registered. The Whirpool warranty ref. on service matters doesn't say so, anyway. You call 1-800-688-9900. The date of production shows that the dryer was made LESS than 5 years ago. Find a sympathetic facory service shop or repair guy and have them warranty the part. Worst case, you eat a service call which will be hella cheaper than the part(s). If your servicer is good, they may warranty both the membraine AND the motherboard...

RCD