Kitchenaid gas dryer...Help?

Question

Our 5 year old Kitchenaid gas dryer (model# KGYS850JQ2) has been acting up lately. We've been having to run it 2 -3 times to get clothes to dry. My husband took it apart, vacuumed it all out, cleaned out the lint etc. and it seemed to start working...until he put it all back together again. (of course) It seems to ignite at first, but then has problems throughout cycle. It also makes a funny sound, like a light rattle?, every so often, maybe around the time it's supposed to be igniting. Any ideas what the problem could be?

I've heard about possibly replacing the coil, but how do we know it's bad? What do we look for?

Answer 1

There are two coils that operate the gas valve on your dryer.Go to this web site and it will give you part info.You can get these coil I'm sure cheaper else where.I just bought 2 for my dryer and the cost was 20.00dollars.You should replace in pairs..If dryer is trying to ignite but gas valve not opening then the coils are out.Coils are shown as 13 and 14 on diagram.

http://www.partselect.com/ModelFrames.as...

Answer 2

There is no coil in a gas dryer. You possibly have a thermosat or temp sensor gone bad.

Answer 3

From your description, I would say it does sound like the valve coils are bad. Typically, when they go bad, the dryer will steadily take longer and longer to dry. The coils are basically electromagnets. The rattling sound because the coils are no longer strong enough to fully open the valve. Often the burner will come on the first few times and then stop working. The igniter will glow. Then turn of. Then glow...

You can get the coils at most stores that sell appliance parts like Sears (shameless company plug).

It's best to replace both coils and it's cheaper to get them as a set.

On your machine, they are probably the 2 black cylindrical plastic parts on the burner. One has 2 prongs the other has 3.

If you have access to an ohm meter, you can test the contiuity across the prongs. On the 2 prong one you should get about 600-700 ohms. On the 3 prong one you should get 600-700 ohnms between two of the sets and about 1300 between the other.  

Answer 4

The coil your referring to may be the igniter coil.

That's what lights the gas.

The clicking is a series of relay's energizing in sequence to light the burner.

Your igniter would have a visible burn or break in it if it's burnt out.

Typicaly the burner assembly is removed to access, not sure about your model.