Maytag gas dryer LDG4914AAE won't start. Hums.

[ZoneIII]

My Maytag LDG4914AAE gas dryer won't start. When I press the start button, I just hear a humming noise. I turned the drum by hand to make sure it wasn't jammed with something and to turn the motor over but it still won't start.  The lights dim slightlyt on the circuit when I hold down the start button momentarily.  I'm sure this is a very basic problem like a capacitor or the motor but I want to run it by folks in this forum first because you've been so helpful in the past.  

[ZoneIII]

Follow up:  I just went down and tried to start the dryer again.  Like before, the motor just hummed but wouldn't turn.  But then I pressed the start button several times fairly quickly and it finally started.  I haven't turned it off to see if I still have the problem because I want to dry the load in the machine in case I have to work on it.  Does anyone know if the motor in my machine has a capacitor start?  I've done repairs on the machine before (with the great help from the folks on this forum) but I can't remember off-hand if the motory has a capacitor start like my shop machine motors.  I checked the trouble-shooting sections in a couple general appliance repair books I have but no mention is made of a motor startup capacitor. 

[evaappliance]

sometimes the centrifugal switch will stick in the run mode , trying the button several times quickly could have just jared it back into the start position. when you get done with your load try it  again . sometimes it will not do it again . it does not have a start capacitor so if it does it again you will need a new motor . this dryer is well worth fixing most of the time !

[ZoneIII]

Thank you very much. 

A while after I got it started, my wife noticed a sort of squeaking sound coming intermittently from the machine. It's not a "bad" mechanical or grating sound.  After posting my question, I found the trouble-shooting section for this machine from this site and it mentions that the fan may be clogged with lint.  I'm going to take the front off tomorrow and make sure everything is clean. I replaced the fan a couple years ago and seem to remember that quite a bit of lint had built up in the old fan so I'm thinking that is a possibility causing just enough friction to  make starting hard.  If that isn't the case, I'll check out the centrifugal switch.  

This old machine has given me incredible service and value.  I've had to make minor repairs two or three times over the years (gas solenoid coils, etc.) but nothing serious.  I seem to remember reading long ago that Maytag is no longer made in the U.S.A. and their quality is not so good anymore.  But I sure can't complain about this machine or it's matching washing machine. I wish everything worked and lasted like this. 

Thanks again.

[evaappliance]

Usually the machine starting rules out the blower deal. ( usually )  99% of the time squeaking and squealing comes from the rollers, but the other 1% of the time can include the moter bushings getting wore & causing your problem. I still have the same style set in my house, except mine is a electric dryer. Had to put a moter in it two years ago . Sometimes the moter deal can be tricky to diagnose when it first starts. ( if that's what it is )

[ZoneIII]

I thought I'd post what I did and the result in case someone else has this problem.  I did find quite a bit of lint in the blower, blower housing and the channel that goes from the filter to the blower.  Over time, very fine lint has made it through the filter and built up.  I also found big globs of lint built up on the ends of the motor - especially the front end closest to the blower.  I cleaned all that out and the machine is starting fine now (so far).  However, I am still getting a little squeak. I did check the drum rollers and they are they turn smoothly and I also checked the idler pulley and it is fine although it's bracket wobbles around loosely. I'm not sure if it's designed that way or not.   But, darn!  I forgot to check the front bearing pads.  If the squeak gets worse, I'll take it apart again and check those.  If they appear to be OK, I'll probably just go ahead and order new drum rollers and an idler pulley (even though they spin fine and smooth by hand), and also the front bearing pads.   I don't think it's the motor. 

Thanks again for your help.  

[Hiroshi]

Take it apart, make sure the drum glides aren't gone- because the cork pads beneath the "glides" will cause a lot of drag...       Part number: 306508

If the glides are fine, remove the rollers from their shafts and clean them with oil. Put a drop of oil on the idler pulley wheel's shaft also- if those parts are spinning freely you will probably have to replace the motor if your symptom persists.  If it's the original motor and belt, get a new belt as well...

Part number: W10410999

 

 

Part number: Y312959

I agree that you should keep this unit