Maytag Gas Dryer, 18 years old. Vents are clean through the entire system. The thermal igniter/coupler glows for a few seconds and sometimes ignites the gas and it's fine. However, sometimes it glows and does not ignite the gas and then the igniter glow disappears. When the dryer is working fine and I open the door to check the clothes and then close the door the gas does not ignite and thus no hot air. At that moment I'll set the timer again, push Start and it may or may ignite the gas. Sometimes I'll try it 2 or 3 times and it works. It is a sporadic problem

call gas engineer asap........................

Hello there Here are some ideas that may help you
- Things that could stop a gas dryer from heating:
- glow bar igniter, thermal fuse ( not all models ), coils on the gas valve, gas valve, thermostats, motor heat switch, timer, selector switch, sensor.
On the back of the dryer near the fan blower housing is a thermal fuse, if this opens up ( no continuity ) the gas burner often quits but the motor will still run. If the thermal fuse is open/bad, always clean, change, adjust the venting system and vent hood first and clean out the dryers air ducts. Sometimes it is a good idea to replace the operating thermostat at the same time.
Thermal fuse parts help link...on blower housing cover, can not be re-set, must be replaced if is open (no continuity between pins).
hope this is very helpful for you

best regards Michael

Chances are the hot surface glow igniter is not working. Most likely it is burned out. Set the controls to dry in high heat and note if the glowing coil does in fact glow. If not, it needs to be replaced. Open the burner access door and then turn the dryer on. Watch inside the burner compartment for the glow coil to light up and glow. If all the controls are set correctly on the front control panel and the dryer is running, but the glow coil fails to glow, you've located the defective part. The glow coil will need to be replaced.
To remove the coil, turn off the gas first. Unplug the dryer from the electrical wall plug. Then remove the entire gas valve as an assembly. The nut on the gas valve to remove it from the gas supply pipe turns counter clockwise. There will be small sheet metal screws used to secure the plate to which the burner assembly parts are attached. The plate holds the entire assembly and is attached to the bottom of the dryer's cabinet.
Next, remove the glow coil from the burner assembly. Take the entire assembled part to the local appliance retail parts store for a replacement coil. Glow igniters are fragile and they break easily. Handle and install the new igniter carefully. Glow igniters are a non-returnable and non-refundable electric component.
Be advised that some new replacement igniters do not come with quick disconnect ends. In this case, it is OK to cut off the quick, disconnect from the old igniter and attach it to the new igniter. Simply clip off the wires several inches above, disconnect the old igniter, attach to the wires of the new igniter, and wire nut the two ends together. Repeat the process to attach the other set of wires and wire nut them together. There is no positive nor negative polarity to be concerned with.
Additional Suggestions: Read the manufacturer's online Web site for product information, problem possibilities, causes and solving methods, part locations, disassembly, reassembly methods, repair procedures, instructions, pictorials and schematics, which may be available online.

Below is a link courtesy of www.repairclinic.com. This shows the Gas Valve Coils, which is the number 1 failing component.
http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDetail.aspx?s=t-MDG5500AW-%3d%3di3479&PartID=3479

Below is the disassembly/diagnostic procedures page that may help on teardown.
http://www.repairclinic.com/Dryer-Gas-Maytag-Style-Appliance-Diagram


For more information visit, http://homemanagement.services.officelive.com/FieldServiceHelp.aspx

Hi,
Things that could stop a gas dryer from heating:
Glow bar igniter, thermal fuse (not all models), coils on the gas valve, gas valve, thermostats, motor heat switch, timer, selector switch, sensor.
On the back of the dryer near the fan blower housing is a thermal fuse, if this opens up (no continuity) the gas burner often quits but the motor will still run. If the thermal fuse is open/bad, always clean, change, adjust the venting system and vent hood first and clean out the dryer’s air ducts. Sometimes it is a good idea to replace the operating thermostat at the same time.
Thermal fuse parts help link...on blower housing cover, cannot be re-set, must be replaced if is open (no continuity between pins).
Thank you for contacting Fixya.com

replace the two coils on the gas valve use the maytag coil kit much cheaper and same part

Check the following components to combat this issue.

1. Gas valve coils
Igniter glows, then shuts off without igniting gas - the problem is probably with defective coils (black, located on top of the gas valve). It is recommended to replace all coils (usually two or three) if found defective.

Note: Sometimes the whole gas valve may be defective, thus not letting the gas out. However, this problem is not common.

2. Thermal fuse
Most dryers have a thermal fuse, which burns out when the dryer overheats, in which case the dryer will either not run at all or stop heating. The fuse is usually located on the vent duct, inside the dryer. A blown fuse will show no continuity when measured with a meter. Before replacing the fuse, make sure the blower wheel is not broken or clogged, and there is nothing blocking the venting.

Note: It is recommended by most dryer manufacturers to replace a hi-limit thermostat when replacing a thermal fuse.

3. Igniter
Igniter may burn out or break. Replace the igniter if found defective.

Note: Igniters are very fragile and break easily. It is recommended to handle the igniter only touching the ceramic part of it (usually white in color).

4. Flame sensor (or radiant heat sensor)
Replace the sensor (located near the igniter) if found defective.

Q - My gas dryer will not heat, what could stop my dryer from heating?
A - Things that could stop a gas dryer from heating:
- glow bar igniter, thermal fuse ( not all models ), coils on the gas valve, gas valve, thermostats,motor heat switch, timer, selector switch, sensor.
A page for checking gas dryers is here.

replace the igniter. The ignitor is the most comon problem with gas appliances checking continuity does not tell you if it is bad or not it has to draw a certain amount of amps to open the gas safty valve and the is no safe way to check this on most gas dryers

hI YES THE COILS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO CHANGE thANKS FOR THE QUESTION tHE APPLIANCS DOC