How can I fix my dryer??

Question

I have a 220 receptacle that's only drawing 110, so it's enough to run the dryer, but not enough to run the heating element. Is there any way to figure out why it's not drawing the full amount without calling an electrician??

Only one side of the dryer is hot, so I'm only drawing 110 on a 220 receptacle. Any ideas how to check without calling an electrician?

Answer 1

If I am reading your question right you only have 110V. instead of 220 V. at the receptacle. Why are these "experts" telling you everything from getting a new dryer to buying new heating elements if the only problem you are having is the line voltage is not right?

On a rare occurence only one side of the breaker will trip leaving the other side of the line on. To reset the breaker you must turn it all of the way off by giving it an extra tug in the off position as sometimes just flipping it to the off position does not reset it.

If that doesn't give you full power turn the dryer circuit breaker off at the main breaker panel and check the receptacle by removing the cover. If it is a surface mount receptacle the screw at the center of where the prongs of the plug go is what holds the cover on. Inspect the connections in the box. If it is a flush mount receptacle with the breaker off remove the two mounting screws and pull the receptacle from the wall and inspect the connections there.

If the connections are good at the receptacle you will need to inspect the connections at the breaker. If you are not familiar with working in an environment with live line voltages stop here and call an electrician.

Answer 2

You've probably wired this receptacle yourself and you've got both lines on the same circuit with individual breakers. Go to the box and switch one of the lines either up one slot or down one slot. You can test this with a circuit test light at the receptacle. You probably have 110 at both hot wires but DO NOT have 220 across the two 110 volt lines. In other words, you do not have a 220 Volt circuit! Go to the breaker box. If you've got a ganged 220 breaker, both should be tripped, but if unganged, only one side could be tripped. Check your wires for tightness (with the MAIN shut off!) Check it out.......am I right?

Answer 3

fiberglasscar is right. We know that you have a meter to check ele or u wouldnt have said u had 120V. Double check the breaker to make sure Both legs are on. If you wired it yourself. You will notice inside your panel, that the legs are staggered. Interlock your fingers, The panel runs kinda like that, With each side having 120V's. IM if ya need help, This is hard to explain lol

Answer 4

Good possibilty that you have a broken or burned off wire in the recep. You may also have a corrsion problem in the recep. WITH POWER OFF, open recep and check connections if the are good clean the recep sockets with spray on contact cleaner , reassemble and when dry turn power on and check recep with a meter.

Answer 5

Sounds as though only one side is hot. Check from each plug to ground. Should be 110 on each side.

Answer 6

1. check the breaker, for 220 there will be two together.

2. if its not the breaker see three.

3. if you asked this question, which you did, and it isnt fixed after step one, call an electrician.

better broke than dead.

Answer 7

very simple (for an electrician), but you can do it! unplug it, take the back off, you should see two long coils of wire. One of these is probably broken (you can actually see it is separated) buy a replacement from sears, or appliance parts store.

Answer 8

You really should just buy a new one.

Answer 9

http://www.applianceaid.com/maytag-dryers.html#belt

Answer 10

just buy a new one.