[frankthebunny]

when i run my dryer i get little or no heat. if i turn my dryer on time cycle, the element gets hot, even if i don't start it. when i turn the dryer on, it just starts and i loose the heat. in a nut shell: if i start the dryer, i lose heat. when i stop it i regain heat . I can't do both at the same time. i checked the thermostats, they are good. My timer reads between 1600 and 1400. could this be the problem?

[denman]

Someone hasn't played with your motor, have they?
Sounds like your centrifugal switch is wired wrong.

Do not have a wiring diagram for this unit but usually one of the switches only allows power to the heater when the motor is up to speed.

Do not understand 1600 & 1400 is this ohms???

[frankthebunny]

1600 1400 ohms, yes. Iv had this dryer for about 8 years. never messed with anything. could it be a timer problem, switch problem? I ask people i know if they ever had this problem and I just get a weird look

[denman]

I can understand the weird look, it's a weird problem

NOTE: Do not let it run too long with just the heater on, it will blow a thermal fuse.
And I have a feeling this is going to be confusing enough without adding an additional problem

Does it do this on permanent press and auto cycles.
Try it at the start and close to the end of the cycles when there should be a cool down

Does it do it on different temp settings

Your timer is probably OK as far as the motor but it is the contacts that may be causing the problem

With a liile luck someone will jump in who has seen this problem!!!

Undo both wires at the heater
Check the resistance
Should be 10 to 15 ohms
Now put your meter on a high scale (10 to 20 K) and measure to the case
Should be infinite (open)

[kayakcrzy]

If you are saying when you turn the dryer timer to the on position without starting it, and the element comes on, that would be the element is broken, and it is hitting the metal heater assembly, and you are getting heat. Only a small amount of heat. You are going to have to take the front off, and the belt off, and the drum out. You should see the break in the heating element. If so you could buy a restring kit, alot cheaper then you can buy the whole heater housing. If you need instruction, you can reach me at my web site at ApplianceEducator.com Tom

[frankthebunny]

I might have found the problem. If its not it, it must be addressed any way. My G.E. dryer has a large circular heating coil. It starts at one end and loops back. At two spots, it had burnt off, but only on one coil. I believe I was getting heat on one coil, and not the other. I'm going to replace the coil and see what happens. At any rate I'd like to thank you for all the help. The site is amazing informative.