I have a Speed Queen dryer which is almost 9 years old. I turned the knob to start the dryer and heard a loud POP sound when I tried to start the dryer, it blew the circuit breaker. I reset the breaker and the dryer wont work at all, completely dead. I was unsure if the POP came from the outlet or the dryer panel, so I had the electric tested and it is fine so apparently the short happened due to a malfunction of the dryer. If anyone has any idea on what this loud POP sound might have been I would appreciate it as I have had more than several major repairs on this dryer since I had it, to date if I have another repair the TOTAL cost of my repairs on this machine probably will surpass the cost of the dryer originally. Could this be the dial itself that shorted out? I hate to pay for a service call to find out it is yet again going to be another expensive repair. Unfortunately this dryer has not proven to be as dependable as other brands I have had. THANKS....
Speed Queen dryer issue need some advice
- Thread starter ryanm
- Start date
Help Support :
Loud pops followed by circut breakers tripping are usualy something major.
Not knowing a lot about these dryers, the usual suspects would be:
-The heater, but that seems unlikely as the machine dosen't do anything.
-The timer; it could be a short of the timer motor, which could end up quite dramaticly.
-The drum/blower motor; either the motor it self or a start capacitor if there is one.
A start capacitor is an easy and relatively cheap fix. Anything else will cost quite a bunch.
Not knowing a lot about these dryers, the usual suspects would be:
-The heater, but that seems unlikely as the machine dosen't do anything.
-The timer; it could be a short of the timer motor, which could end up quite dramaticly.
-The drum/blower motor; either the motor it self or a start capacitor if there is one.
A start capacitor is an easy and relatively cheap fix. Anything else will cost quite a bunch.
Loud Pop And Now Dead
On a SQ dryer it is likley a bad shorted timer, A bad heating element will not behave this way and there are no capacitors on SQ dryers.
What kind of problems have you had with this dryer over the last 9 years and how much has it gotten ?
On a SQ dryer it is likley a bad shorted timer, A bad heating element will not behave this way and there are no capacitors on SQ dryers.
What kind of problems have you had with this dryer over the last 9 years and how much has it gotten ?
mrb627
Well-known member
Timer
I would suspect the timer first. If you set the timer to the timed dry cycle, does it advance to off? Is there a light inside the drum and does it work when you open the door? Can you pull the front panel and see if the belt is intact? Did you notice any smell after the circuit breaker tripped?
Malcolm
I would suspect the timer first. If you set the timer to the timed dry cycle, does it advance to off? Is there a light inside the drum and does it work when you open the door? Can you pull the front panel and see if the belt is intact? Did you notice any smell after the circuit breaker tripped?
Malcolm
Thanks for the responses and good questions I will answer here.
The light in the drum does not light.
The timer does not advance, so it is like the dryer is unplugged, which is why at first I thought it was the outlet.
If it is just the timer would that prevent the light in the drum from going on?
As for previous issues, I had to have the 'rollers' that the drum runs on replaced.
The DRUM itself SPLIT, so I had to have a NEW drum put in the machine.
The light in the drum does not light.
The timer does not advance, so it is like the dryer is unplugged, which is why at first I thought it was the outlet.
If it is just the timer would that prevent the light in the drum from going on?
As for previous issues, I had to have the 'rollers' that the drum runs on replaced.
The DRUM itself SPLIT, so I had to have a NEW drum put in the machine.
brucelucenta
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Interesting....I have ALWAYS thought Whirlpool made dryers were and are the very best! They seem to last forever with few repairs.
Loud Pop And Now Dead
You should also look at the terminal block where the cord connects to the dryer for burned and loose wires since even the drum light went out.
You did not tell us how much use this dryer has had in its 9 year life [ average loads per week ] so it is impossible for an appliance repair expert to advise if you should repair it again.
You should also look at the terminal block where the cord connects to the dryer for burned and loose wires since even the drum light went out.
You did not tell us how much use this dryer has had in its 9 year life [ average loads per week ] so it is impossible for an appliance repair expert to advise if you should repair it again.
Thank you ALL again for the responses. To answer the question about how much use the dryer has had, it has been the LEAST used appliance in the house as we normally hang clothes outside when weather allows, and even in winter most clothing was hung in the basement near our heat burner, and only towels and such were put in the dryer, so on average not even 1 load a week went through the dryer. Now I have moved into a multi unit complex where we cannot hang clothes, so for the past 2 months about 4 loads a week in the dryer. The washer has had much more use than the dryer ever did (I have the matching washer to the dryer). Washer has had no repair so far, but I think it needs a belt now.
I did speak to the dealer who sold me the unit, they also service, and suspect it is the timer which is expensive repair of at least $250 from what they told me, but can't be sure until they check out the unit. I may have them come just to analyze, but not sure if I will fix or get a new one based on what they tell me. In the area I live, repairs are very expensive as service people charge big bucks for labor per hour here in addition to the service call charge of $100 to walk into the door, so sometimes it is sad to say wiser to buy something new than to spend big bucks on units that are over 8 years old...... Having multiple repairs on a unit ends up costing more than the unit. If this were only the first time it broke, I would not hesitate to fix, but if I spend this money, who knows what other component might go in the near future.....
I did speak to the dealer who sold me the unit, they also service, and suspect it is the timer which is expensive repair of at least $250 from what they told me, but can't be sure until they check out the unit. I may have them come just to analyze, but not sure if I will fix or get a new one based on what they tell me. In the area I live, repairs are very expensive as service people charge big bucks for labor per hour here in addition to the service call charge of $100 to walk into the door, so sometimes it is sad to say wiser to buy something new than to spend big bucks on units that are over 8 years old...... Having multiple repairs on a unit ends up costing more than the unit. If this were only the first time it broke, I would not hesitate to fix, but if I spend this money, who knows what other component might go in the near future.....
mrb627
Well-known member
Maybe...
A critter had taken up residence in your dryer and caused the short? Nibbling on wiring and such.
I might also add that the timers on the SQ dryers should be turned to the right only. Turning to the left may damage geared components.
Timer replacement is most certainly a DYI job.
Malcolm
A critter had taken up residence in your dryer and caused the short? Nibbling on wiring and such.
I might also add that the timers on the SQ dryers should be turned to the right only. Turning to the left may damage geared components.
Timer replacement is most certainly a DYI job.
Malcolm
brucelucenta
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Buy the cheapest Whirlpool made dryer that has what you need and it will probably last you longer than you will need it.
glomain
Well-known member
HA HA HA
A new whirlpool,what a joke,maybe a late 80s or early 90s whirlpool ya.
A new whirlpool,what a joke,maybe a late 80s or early 90s whirlpool ya.
brucelucenta
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Whirlpool made dryers are STILL the best kind made today out of all the rest there is to pick from here in the USA.
Believe it or not I HAD a Whirlpool dryer before the Speed Queen, the motor went after only 6 years, so I junked it and went with the Speed Queen. In summary I am still glad I bought the Speed Queen set as the washer has proven to be a work horse that has taken many years of laundry for 7 people and more, and is still going strong. The dryer issues are probably just a fluke, as most people have very good service from Speed Queen. I only wish Speed Queen designers would wake up and make machines in color, and put a see through lid like other manufacturers do. They need a little updating like that of their product cosmetically. It is a shame they did a dumb down of the dial models. I have heard so many horror stories from people I know who have bought other brands of washer lately that only last 3 to 6 years..... so may be better to keep what I have.
The motor failing on a 6 year old Whirlpool dryer was a crazy fluke too. No reason the Whirlpool (or the SQ) dryer couldn't last 20 years easily.
As for washers lasting 3-6 years that is more due improper usage/care and and being allergic to service then testament to quality. So many people I talk to won't even consider calling for service for a machine in this age range, that is just foolish. Any machine in that age range is worth rolling the dice on a service trip charge. And the Internet is here to help diagnose problems too if the owner is curious and a bit handy.
I'd still take one of the Whirlpool top filter dryers over anything else out there today. But the SQ you have is a solid machine too, and well worth fixing, even if you don't do it yourself.
As for washers lasting 3-6 years that is more due improper usage/care and and being allergic to service then testament to quality. So many people I talk to won't even consider calling for service for a machine in this age range, that is just foolish. Any machine in that age range is worth rolling the dice on a service trip charge. And the Internet is here to help diagnose problems too if the owner is curious and a bit handy.
I'd still take one of the Whirlpool top filter dryers over anything else out there today. But the SQ you have is a solid machine too, and well worth fixing, even if you don't do it yourself.
brucelucenta
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What a shame that appliances are just not much good anymore. I guess none of them really are. I only say how good Whirlpool made dryers are because they have a really good design that has been around since the beginning of automatic dryers with some modifications and updates, but still the same basic design. It is a shame that the motors and probably other components being used now are so poor because they have always been really good dryers that seem to deal better with adverse conditions that most other dryers do not and still work well. They are also fairly easy to service in comparison to other dryers.[this post was last edited: 12/1/2016-05:11]
