Kenmore Elite HE4 Gas Dryer 110.95081402 does not stay hot

[Sara M]

Hello - our Kenmore Elite HE4 Gas Dryer (110.95081402) heats up only intermittently during a cycle. We've done the following so far:

1.  Taken off the front service panel and removed a lot of lint from in there.

2.  Replaced the thermistor/thermostat and the thermal fuse, because they were the easiest to reach.

3.  Taken apart the moisture sensors and cleaned off any corrosion, etc.

After having done the above, if we set it to run a 40-minute timed drying cycle on high heat, for example, the igniter(?) lights up orange and the blue flame comes on.  It will remain lit for eight minutes, and then the flame turns off.  After that, every 1-2 minutes the igniter will light up orange, but the blue flame doesn't come on, and after about 10 seconds the igniter returns to its regular state (not orange).

Does anyone have any ideas on what part might be causing this?

Many thanks

 

[citizenX]

Most common problem with that symptom is the gas valve solenoid coils. They will work when the unit is cold but after things heat up, they won't function properly and won't actuate the gas valve. Could potentially be the flame sensor or the gas valve itself, but I'd start with just the valve coils. It's an easy fix and 95% of the time that is the issue.  Part number is 279834 for the coil kit. There are two phillips head screws that hold a bracket onto the top of the gas valve. Take that bracket off and replace the coils. You do not need to turn off the gas. The two coils are different so make sure to put them on the correct shaft (the bracket and coils are keyed so it's kinda hard to get them backwards). Also, be aware of a little sleeve that fits onto one of the shafts on the valve (goes on shaft of the larger of the two coils) and make sure that sleeve stays on the shaft. 

Edited September 25 by citizenX

[citizenX]

OEM part retails for around $25-30 but aftermarket can be found on Amazon for $9-10  

[Sara M]

Thank you so much for this advice.  When we started having problems with the dryer, I ordered the five parts that were the most likely culprits, so I actually have these valves already and will try replacing them this week.  Thank you also for noting that we don't even need to turn off the gas, although in an (over?)abundance of caution we will anyway.  We were nervous about doing something in there that would screw up the gas connection and ultimately result in calamity.

I will replace these valves and provide an update on the situation!

Thanks so so much.  Really appreciate your commenting on this.

[citizenX]

Let me know. And by the way when the dryer is working normally with no wet clothes in it, it is perfectly normal for the heat to cycle on and off every minute or so, so don't let that fool you once you get it going. With wet clothes, the heat will stay on for a good while before it starts cycling on and off once the clothes start to get dry. 

[Sara M]

Huzzah!  Truly, I can't thank you enough for your fantastic, detailed advice.  We've replaced the coils, which as you said was an easy fix, even for complete novices it turns out!  Knowing from your comment that we weren't going to accidentally hook these up incorrectly and somehow end up with a slow gas leak/explosion gave us the courage to proceed with this repair.  

Your advice was absolutely spot on, and having run the dryer with a load of wet laundry (to avoid the cycling on/off with an empty dryer that you warned of) it appears that we have fixed the issue and again have a fully functional dryer!

We very much appreciate your taking the time to provide such excellent advice.  Literally couldn't have accomplished this without you. Thank you!

[citizenX]

Excellent! Glad to help.