GE Drier timer repair

[FearlessFerret]

This is not strictly speaking electronics, but it should be a a piece of cake.
Let me know if there is a more appropriate forum.

I have a GE drier model DDC0580BBLWH drier whose timer is not advancing. My
wife set the thing up one evening and the next morning I found it still
running--I don't think this is areal good safety-wise.

I assume that if I get a replacement timer module it should be fairly simple to
hook it up, but it's not worth my time if the job isn't a slam-dunk. What I
want to know is are there any tricks to this that would make the job more
complicated than it should be because if so I'll just pay to have it done.

/ff

 

[Mike Berger]

If you're replacing the entire timing module, it's a very
easy repair.

 

[les]

I agree. With most appliances being modular repair units, the hardest part
will probably
be getting the unit away from the wall, and monkeying with the screwdrivers,
socket set
and whatever, to get to it.

 

[David]

This is not strictly speaking electronics, but it should be a a piece of
cake. Let me know if there is a more appropriate forum.

I have a GE drier model DDC0580BBLWH drier whose timer is not advancing.
My wife set the thing up one evening and the next morning I found it still
running--I don't think this is areal good safety-wise.

I assume that if I get a replacement timer module it should be fairly
simple to hook it up, but it's not worth my time if the job isn't a
slam-dunk. What I want to know is are there any tricks to this that would
make the job more complicated than it should be because if so I'll just
pay to have it done.

/ff

If it has one of the dryness sensors, that could be the problem. I have seen
these fail with an open electrolytic filter capacitor. That module will
either allow or not allow the timer to advance. Try it on timed heat first
to see if it advances then.

David

 

[FearlessFerret]

If it has one of the dryness sensors, that could be the problem. I have
seen these fail with an open electrolytic filter capacitor. That module
will either allow or not allow the timer to advance. Try it on timed
heat first to see if it advances then.

This model does not have the dryness sensor. Thx for the input, I'll get the
module and give it a shot.
/ff

 

[[email protected]]

I have a GE drier model DDC0580BBLWH drier whose timer is not advancing.

Before buying a new timer, you might unplug the dryer, open it up, and
make sure it's not something like a wire that fell off. The connections
are usually pretty secure, but heat and vibration take their toll. If
you find a burned wire, further troubleshooting is indicated. You'll
probably need a flat-blade screwdriver, a Philips screwdriver, a 5/16"
nutdriver or wrench, and possibly a 1/4" nutdriver or wrench to open
it up.

My wife set the thing up one evening and the next morning I found it
still running--I don't think this is areal good safety-wise.

It's not great, but the dryer has a couple of safety thermostats that
should shut it down before anything gets too exciting.

I assume that if I get a replacement timer module it should be fairly
simple to hook it up, but it's not worth my time if the job isn't a
slam-dunk.

Some dryers have all the timer connections in one plug - unplug the old
one, plug in the new one, done. Some others have several individual
wires that have to be transferred one by one. *DO NOT* pull all the
wires off of the old timer and then try to put them on the new one!
You'll get lost. Just do one wire at a time and it'll be good.

Very occasionally, the replacement timer will be made for several models
of dryer, and you have to do something like move a jumper wire or put
two wires that used to be on separate terminals onto one terminal or
something like that. The timer will come with a sheet that explains
what to do. If there's no sheet, assume it's no different than the
installed timer.

You should also find a basic wiring diagram on a piece of paper that's
been folded up and put in the control panel. It might even have the
part number of the replacement timer on it, but it might not.

If you want a little more information, GE publishes a DIY repair manual.
The dryer manual is GE part WX10X116 ; a GE parts place should know it
by that number and it should be about $15 plus or minus. They used to
update the manuals every several years, but all the references I can
find to that manual say it was last updated in 1994. The manual will
walk you through the whole diagnosis, and then tell you how to replace
the bad part and/or when to give up and call for service.

Disclaimer: I used to work for GE selling appliance parts, but I don't
anymore.

Matt Roberds

 

[James Sweet]

If you're replacing the entire timing module, it's a very
easy repair.

I had this exact same problem on my ancient GE dryer. A bit of checking
revealed that the clock motor winding was open. I looked around and a
new timer was around $100 so I ended up very carefully disassembling the
motor (hacksaw surgery) until I got to the bobbin with the coil on it,
then I unwound many feet of tiny wire until it was empty. The smallest
magnet wire I had was considerably larger than the original so I wound
on as much as would fit, then connected it to a little 7.5v transformer
from a scrapped clock radio instead of the 120v it was originally made
for and found that it ran perfectly. Let it run for several hours to
make sure nothing was getting particularly warm then carefully put it
all back together and epoxied it closed. Given that it's still running
great over a year later I think it was well worth the 2 or 3 hours it
took me to fix it.