Replacing a Dryer Ignitor

A gas clothes dryer is heated with a burner located in the dryer chassis. Gas is lit, creating a flame in the burner by an igniter. The igniter is a small, electric device mounted in the burner. The igniter’s filament glows red when the dryer is switched on for operation. When the gas in the burner is ignited, the igniter shuts off. A faulty igniter does not light the gas, which means that the dryer will not heat up. If this sounds like a symptom that your dryer is experiencing, replacing the igniter may solve the problem.

Putty knife
Socket set
Ratchet wrench
Wrench set
Flat-head screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. Insert a putty knife under the front edge of the top panel of the dryer. Pushing down on the putty knife’s handle releases the panel from the clip. Release the clips on both sides of the top panel in the same fashion. Lift the panel’s front up and rotate it back.
- 2
  Pull apart the wiring clip from the door switch near the front panel’s top. Remove the retaining screws at the front panel’s top with a socket and ratchet wrench. Lift the panel straight up a few inches, and then remove it from the dryer. Place the front panel aside.
- 3
  Observe the routing of the drum belt around the motor pulley and the tensioner pulley located under the drum at the rear of the dryer. This helps you install the belt in the proper orientation when reassembling the dryer after replacing the igniter. Reaching under the drum and pushing the pulley up releases the belt tension. Slide the belt from the pulley, and then release the tensioner.
- 4
  Lift the drum straight up from the dryer chassis and remove it. Leave the belt around the drum. Use the belt to lift the drum if desired.
- 5
  Locate the igniter, which is mounted at the burner tube opening at the dryer chassis’ rear. Pull the wiring clip of the igniter apart. Remove the igniter retaining screw. Pull the igniter out of the burner tube.
- 6
  Slide a replacement igniter into the burner tube’s slot. Replace the retaining screw and plug in the wiring clip.
- 7
  Lower the drum back into the dryer chassis. Push the tensioner pulley upwards. Route the belt around the motor and tensioner pulleys in the same orientation as it was originally placed. Spinning the drum by hand correctly aligns the belt.
- 8
  Align the slots on the front panel’s bottom with the clips on the dryer chassis. Slide the panel down until the clips engage. Replace the screws at the panel’s top. Plug the door switch wiring clip back together.
- 9
  Rotate to top panel downwards. Push down on the panel’s front edge engaging the retaining clips. Plug the power cord into the wall outlet.

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Washer & Dryers