Maytag dryer MDG7600AWW not starting with heavier loads

[merrittjr]

Never had this issue before, but we were doing a larger load of towels and it wouldn't start. Pushing the start button made it sound like it wanted to start but it wouldn't go. I held the button down and eventually it wouldn't make any noise. There was a faint burning smell inside the drum. I came back this morning and tried again, and while it wanted to start it never got going. So I removed some towels and it then worked. Know what's going on?

[citizenX]

So this sound it makes when the drum doesn't want to turn - does it sound like the motor is just humming and isn't turning or could it be the motor is turning but the belt is slipping and not turning the drum? It's not uncommon for a belt to stretch or otherwise get worn to where it won't grip the drum under heavier loads. You'll need to determine if it's just the belt slipping or the motor itself doesn't want to turn. Belt is a cheap $20 fix. Motor is about $200

[Budget Appliance Repair]

15 hours ago, citizenX said:

It's not uncommon for a belt to stretch or otherwise get worn to where it won't grip the drum under heavier loads.

Never in my 39 years of appliance repair have I seen a dryer belt stretch and not grip a dryer drum - they break or shred but don't stretch.

Sounds to me like a bad motor or something causing the drum to be too hard to turn.

[citizenX]

Belt could just be worn or something binding (idler, roller support, etc) or as I said a motor, but in my 35 years in the game I've seen it all. Cheers.  

 

[merrittjr]

I'll be looking at it later today and will report back. I don't think it's turning at all and I now hear a lot of squeaking.The motor is definitely running though.

[citizenX]

36 minutes ago, merrittjr said:

I'll be looking at it later today and will report back. I don't think it's turning at all and I now hear a lot of squeaking.The motor is definitely running though.

Check the idler pulley, belt, and support rollers to make sure everything is turning freely. Idlers like to get seized.

[merrittjr]

The noise seems to be coming from the motor. Everything else suggested seems to be moving freely and I didn't hear any noise coming from them when I had everything taken apart. Is there anything else that could be making that noise?

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5m7TXnP7xnbuK9i9

 

[citizenX]

Yeah that chirpy noise to me sounds like a motor bearing (especially at the end when it slows down). The idler pulley can also get chirpy and squeal as well but that sounds more like a motor. If you disassemble the unit and can turn the motor and idler by hand without the belt on, does either make a similar noise or feel rough to turn? The idler should spin pretty freely with no noise. You will also want to check the blower wheel where it clamps onto the motor shaft. Those blowers like to strip out in the center plastic area where it pushes onto the motor shaft and will just sort of "free wheel" as the motor is turning and can make some odd noises. I don't think that's your problem as that wouldn't make it not turn the drum under a load as you were describing before, but might as well look at that while you're in there. If I had to bet I'd probably say motor first and idler second, but if you end up replacing the motor you might as well replace the idler at the same time, and the belt if it is cracking and/or peeling. 

[merrittjr]

I'm almost certain it was the motor. Given that this machine was likely 12-15 years old, I opted to just replace the dryer. Didn't think it was worth replacing the motor on a machine that old. Thanks for all the help.

[Nathaniel Peterson]

34 minutes ago, merrittjr said:

I'm almost certain it was the motor. Given that this machine was likely 12-15 years old, I opted to just replace the dryer. Didn't think it was worth replacing the motor on a machine that old. Thanks for all the help.

If you're replacing it yourself it's worth it because the newer units are really bad these days. Get an extended warranty.

[citizenX]

4 hours ago, Nathaniel Peterson said:

If you're replacing it yourself it's worth it because the newer units are really bad these days. Get an extended warranty.

Yeah I think that was one of the last of the Dependable Care designs. I'd have fixed it. Other than Speed Queen, everything else these days is mostly junk.

[merrittjr]

Good to know. I haven't actually purchased the new dryer yet, so maybe I'll go ahead and replace the motor. Should I replace the blower wheel as well?

[citizenX]

2 hours ago, merrittjr said:

Good to know. I haven't actually purchased the new dryer yet, so maybe I'll go ahead and replace the motor. Should I replace the blower wheel as well?

Not unless it is already stripped out where it pushes onto the motor shaft, or you break it trying to remove it! There is a snap ring and a small clamp that secure the blower to the motor shaft. The blower has a flat keyed edge that lines up with a flat edge on the motor shaft, so once you remove the clamp and the snap ring, in theory it just pulls right off. In the real world however, you'll probably have to work the blower loose by prying the opening apart a little bit and work it loose from the motor shaft. PB Blaster and a little cussing can help as well.  It's just plastic so don't go crazy on it. Sometimes you get lucky and it pulls right off. 

 

As I mentioned before while you're in there, I would probably replace at least the belt and idler (maybe the two support rollers if they don't turn freely or are noisy) but that's up to you. Check the glides on the front bulkhead that the drum turns on as well. Besides the motor itself, the other parts aren't that much. 

Edited July 9 by citizenX

[merrittjr]

Final update, I replaced the motor and all is quiet and working perfectly. Thanks for everyone's help!

[Nathaniel Peterson]

15 minutes ago, merrittjr said:

Final update, I replaced the motor and all is quiet and working perfectly. Thanks for everyone's help!

Thanks for the update!