dryer: humidity sensor busted?

I've got a 3 (4?) years old maytag neptune gas dryer, the one with the electronic panel but not the lcd screen. Last week, a few batches of clothes came out with lots of static and since then, the "sensor dry" setting doesn't work. The dryer stops after 10 minutes and the clothes are still humid. "Time dry" works fine though so it has to be the sensor that's busted.

Anyone knows how to troubleshoot such a thing?

Originally Posted by mart242

I've got a 3 (4?) years old maytag neptune gas dryer, the one with the electronic panel but not the lcd screen. Last week, a few batches of clothes came out with lots of static and since then, the "sensor dry" setting doesn't work. The dryer stops after 10 minutes and the clothes are still humid. "Time dry" works fine though so it has to be the sensor that's busted.

Anyone knows how to troubleshoot such a thing?

How close to the wall is the dryer? If a dryer is really close the wall, it can mess up the sensor.

Originally Posted by fortunekitty500

How close to the wall is the dryer? If a dryer is really close the wall, it can mess up the sensor.

Maybe 12"? Isn't the humidity sensor IN the dryer? I'm 99% sure it is because I remember the maytag display demo where they show their humidity sensor (looks like 2 metal tubes, 3" long) and I can see them IN my dryer.

The dryer has been there for about 4 years. It hasn't been moved and it just started acting up.

last time i used that same model of dryer, there were some static building up on those 2 tubes too

but mine still worked fine
i would suggest you try to discharge those 2 metal plates with some wires hooked to the ground momentarily to get rid of the static if there is still any

Originally Posted by Evil Techie

last time i used that same model of dryer, there were some static building up on those 2 tubes too

but mine still worked fine
i would suggest you try to discharge those 2 metal plates with some wires hooked to the ground momentarily to get rid of the static if there is still any

I've touched them with one hand while touching the dryer "case" at the same time and it did not do it. I could try to do that with a wire and hook it up to a water pipe, it might be better.

oh try putting in a bounty sheet or any other dryer sheets that will reduce static as well

Originally Posted by Evil Techie

oh try putting in a bounty sheet or any other dryer sheets that will reduce static as well

What I meant is "I haven't felt any static and grounding the sensor did not do anything". Oh well, keep the suggestions coming.

Originally Posted by mart242

I've got a 3 (4?) years old maytag neptune gas dryer, the one with the electronic panel but not the lcd screen. Last week, a few batches of clothes came out with lots of static and since then, the "sensor dry" setting doesn't work. The dryer stops after 10 minutes and the clothes are still humid. "Time dry" works fine though so it has to be the sensor that's busted.

Anyone knows how to troubleshoot such a thing?

I had similar prob with my Kenmore a while ago. My "auto dry" stopped working, however not the way yours did. Mine kept on drying (for about 2 hrs) and then stopped with "overheated" error.
Since it was still under warranty (very close to 2nd year end) I let Sears to deal with it (well, after thoroughly cleaning & vacuuming everything inside - that was the first question the cust. rep asked anyway) They first tried to replace the thermistor. No help. After that the dude said that the only other thing to replace is the whole control panel and if that won't help then he has no clue. Fortunately that helped - he had to replace the whole front control panel...