Cleaning the moisture sensor in your Maytag dryer can help ensure it detects drying levels accurately. The process involves locating the sensor and cleaning it according to specific steps.
Simple Steps to Clean Your Dryer's Moisture Sensor
According to the provided reference, cleaning the moisture sensor on a dryer typically involves these steps:
- Locate the sensor: Find the moisture sensor within the dryer drum.
- Scrub the sensor: Use fine-grit sandpaper to scrub the sensor.
- Polish the sensor: Use a dry rag to polish the sensor.
- Test the dryer: Check if the dryer operates correctly afterward.
Let's break down these steps for cleaning your Maytag dryer's moisture sensor.
Step 1: Locate the Dryer Moisture Sensor
First, you need to find where the moisture sensor is located inside your Maytag dryer. Based on the reference, it's typically found in one of two areas:
- On the back wall of the dryer drum.
- In the front of the drum, often located near the lint trap opening.
Look for two or more metallic strips or bars. These are the contacts that sense moisture by measuring the electrical resistance between them as wet clothes tumble past.
Step 2: Use Fine Grit Sandpaper to Scrub
Once you've located the sensor, the next step is to clean the surface of the metallic strips. The reference suggests using fine-grit sandpaper. Gently rub the sandpaper over the metallic sensor bars. This helps to remove any build-up of lint, fabric softener residue, or other debris that might be coating the sensor and preventing it from accurately detecting moisture.
- Use a fine-grit sandpaper (e.g., 220 grit or higher).
- Scrub gently along the sensor bars.
- Focus on removing any visible film or residue.
Step 3: Use a Dry Rag to Polish
After using the sandpaper, the reference instructs you to use a dry rag to polish the moisture sensor. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any residue left from the sanding process and to buff the sensor surface.
- Use a clean, lint-free dry rag.
- Wipe the sensor bars thoroughly.
- Ensure no sanding residue remains.
Step 4: Test Dryer
The final step is to test your dryer to see if the cleaning process has resolved any issues you were experiencing, such as clothes not drying completely or cycles ending too soon.
- Add a load of damp clothes to the dryer.
- Start a drying cycle, preferably one that uses the automatic moisture sensing feature.
- Observe if the dryer runs for an appropriate amount of time and if the clothes are dried properly.
Cleaning the sensor using these steps from the reference can be a simple maintenance task to improve your dryer's performance.
