I hate LG. Gas dryer issues.

Bugger bugger bugger.

Last year (13 months 2 weeks ago actually) we bought a brand new LG washer and gas dryer. Our old washer had gone wrong 10 too many times and things were failing for the 2nd - 3rd time on it so it was time for a new washer. We got a matched set with the dryer not because anything was wrong with the dryer, but because no one knew how old it was, at least 20 years and 10 years older than the washer so we figured it was probably not long for this world. Mistake.

We went for LG as we could get a good deal from HD on the set and Consumer Reports (I know I know) said they were the best. We bought the extended warranty on the washer (4 years) as they go wrong, but not on the dryer as they never fail (ha ha)

Well last weekend the dryer stopped heating. Bugger, we called LG about the warranty (forgetting that we'd only bought it on the washer) and were told we were out of the warranty period. Bugger. Well my wife talked to them, pointed out we bought the matched set, the silly bases (what a rip off) to raise them and spent a small fortune. They agreed to do a one time out of warranty service call for free (Yeah, good for them) and asked my wife to fax in the info, which she did. Two days later no call back so my wife calls again. This time to be told, sorry no out of warranty service because the unit is three years old. eerr no it's not, it's 13 months. Well the model was 3 years old so no they won't touch it. I'm sure it's nothing to do with other people having the same issue.

So what's wrong?

Well I've just spent 2 1/2 half hours not finding out. Google seems to indicate there's a common issue with the over temp sensor so we headed for that.

Wow, are these things hard to get into these days. Basically the sides, bottom and base are a semi monocoque unit. You have to remove the top, remove the control panel, remove the door then you can get the front off and reach absolutely nothing!

Removing most of the outlet ducting and I can see the front of the thermostat and thermistor in the next part of the duct but not reach them. So I try and find the wires so I can unplug them and test them. Well the thermistor has a plug, but the over temp thermostat appears to be just wired in. Tracing the wires back to the control panel at the top I find where it plugs in (I should have done that to start). and test it. No problem. So it looks like the temp side is working. The motor, fan, drum assembly all looks to work. The ignitor comes on, but no gas comes out. I'm stumped.

Well typing this I guess it must be something to do with the gas solenoid, but how to reach that, test it and change it I don't know.

Anyone else have the misfortune to own and or have worked on one of these steaming piles of donkey turds? If so any idea how to proceed?

13 months? Let me guess: it has a 12 month warranty?

Watch this:

Brick dryer

You'll feel better.

I worked for sears selling the stuff as a college job.

Basically the LG stuff was great, until it broke. Most of the stuff is so computer board driven (washer is a beast) that there is not much leeway for the common DIY. Although, if memory serves, at least the gas dryer is the simpler thing (vs washer or electric dryer).

Fridges could be even worse then any laundry if you want to believe that.

Worst offender was anything upscale Maytag though, we had a lot of people upset over them breaking.

Sorry I cant offer any real help, just joining in the lament of overcomplicated not easily user-serviced equipment that everyone sells these days.

I'll see your LG, and raise you a Maytag Neptune.

I live with one of those. It's been...interesting.

Any one got any suggestions or help to offer?

On the warranty issue...
Did you buy it with credit card? If yes, some credit cards like my AmEx Blue include a warranty extension with the purchase like doubling the factory warranty.
Call Card company to research.

On repair...
My former, basic gas dryer used to burn out heat coils about every two years.
When these die, the dryer will spin but not heat. Cheap and easy fix. Less than $20 comes to mind.
http://www.davesrepair.com/Parts/SCA700.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP9pmbw6PzQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8j6fQM3P34

This picture shows black coils in their typical location. Two screws to remove.

jrw1621

Thanks, I'll be look at those tonight.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: Any one got any suggestions or help to offer?

Give us the full model number so we can actually talk specifically about your unit, instead of just vaguely about LG driers in general.

Be specific about what the symptoms are and what you've done or identified so far.

http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?action=downloads See if they've got the full service manual, or if LG does as well, and download it. It helps, a lot.

Just a few things control the gas circuit, the ignitor, the heat sensor, and the valves. They tend to fail in about that order.

It's a DLG2102W. The thermostat switch seems good and I can see the ingnitor getting hot, but I don't seem to be getting any gas flowing. The unit will run, just no heat.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: jrw1621 Thanks, I'll be look at those tonight.

If bad they may have scorch marks and discoloration but more commonly, they will look just find. The problem is the wound internal coil in one or both of the cylinders. I think they are only sold in pairs. As i noted earlier, the pair was near $20 (7 years ago.)

Common with these bad coils is the flame will fire for about a minute or two and then stop flaming why the drum continues to turn. As the coil heats, it shorts and the gas flow is stopped.

jrw1621 wrote:

Adrian_Thompson wrote: jrw1621 Thanks, I'll be look at those tonight.

If bad they may have scorch marks and discoloration but more commonly, they will look just find. The problem is the wound internal coil in one or both of the cylinders. I think they are only sold in pairs. As i noted earlier, the pair was near $20 (7 years ago.) Common with these bad coils is the flame will fire for about a minute or two and then stop flaming why the drum continues to turn. As the coil heats, it shorts and the gas flow is stopped.

If I test them, will they show as open circuit or high resistance if bad?

I do not know on the testing.
My personal experience was that I paid a service guy the first time and watched. The following two times I just ordered and replaced the part.

http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/questions/256294-lg-gas-dryer-light-dlg2102w
This posting states that LG coils can not be replaced separate but rather part of the entire valve ($100.) Also states that it may short out board.

Adrian_Thompson wrote: It's a DLG2102W. The thermostat switch seems good and I can see the ingnitor getting hot, but I don't seem to be getting any gas flowing. The unit will run, just no heat.

From the diagnostic steps of the LG manual, either your gas line is turned off, or one of your gas valves has failed.

I've only had one appliance made by them, an over-the-stove microwave, which the buttons on lasted...survey says...13 Months!!! I think 2 of the buttons work now. So you can nuke something for 3:33 or 9:99, and forget doing anything fancy like "Medium" or "Popcorn." I'll never buy another LG anything.

May LG's management, board members and quality department all be fed rancid goat testicles for eternity in a hell cooled by LG air conditioners that are out of warranty.

So because it's an LG a $20 part comes as part of a $110 assembly. I call all the local parts places who I've always bought parts from for every appliance I've ever owned and get the same response. "No, we don't carry LG, parts are too hard to get and too expensive". So I've got a three day weekend, but I can't get the parts so I have to order online from SEARS service center.

Bugger bugger bugger as I said at the start of this thread. I just hope that it hasn't taken out the control panel as well which is apparently a common problem if they do go.

jrw1621 wrote: I do not know on the testing. My personal experience was that I paid a service guy the first time and watched. The following two times I just ordered and replaced the part. http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/questions/256294-lg-gas-dryer-light-dlg2102w This posting states that LG coils can not be replaced separate but rather part of the entire valve ($100.) Also states that it may short out board.

This link says the valve part number is 5221EL2002A
Quick googling shows this place in Chicago. If they have it in stock UPS standard ground would likely have it to MI the next day.

http://midwestapplianceparts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8546&cPath=1957&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=export_feed#googlebase

Fed Ex's Home Service ships on Saturdays for no extra charge.

Canton, MI
Michigan Ave. west of I- 275
http://www.repairclinic.com/General/Contact-Us
http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Gas-Valve-Assembly/5221EL2002A/1266848

jrw1621 wrote: Canton, MI Michigan Ave. west of I- 275 http://www.repairclinic.com/General/Contact-Us http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Gas-Valve-Assembly/5221EL2002A/1266848

Damn, too late I can't cancel the order now.

Not cancel but can you return?
If you need dry clothes pronto, drive to Canton and buy.
Upon delivery of mail order, return an unused item to Canton.
Or, return ship the mail order.

A coworker had a fridge with an ice dispenser problem that was just out of warranty. He called and they said you had to buy the entire door. He called back later and told them, "darn, my warranty just ran out and I would like to purchase the extended waranty". They happily sold it to him. Month later he called with a claim and they sent out a repair man. The repairman fixed it with a kit that the company told my friend was unavailable.

If anyone cars It's fixed. The Valve assembly finally turned up and I swapped it out. the old Haynes style instructions were appropriate here:

1. completely disassemble machine
2. Change part
3. Reassembly is the reverse of disassembly

IT's a good job it's been warm, we've been laying 2 loads of washing a day on the deck furniture. Time for an outside clothes rack like I had as a kid, I wonder how much lower our gas bill will be without out 2 loads of drying a day for 13 days?

Glad to hear it's back up and running :)

I, too, have sworn off LG products after a bad experience with a Vizio plasma that used LG boards.

DuctTape&Bondo wrote: Glad to hear it's back up and running :) I, too, have sworn off LG products after a bad experience with a Vizio plasma that used LG boards.

SH1T, my TV is infected with LG too! AAggggggggghhhhhhhhh..........