Failure
The motor stopped within seconds
The dryer could not remain running in its normal connected state.
Confirmed control case · Maytag MDG8400AWQ
The Motor Ran with the Gas Valve Disconnected, but the Coils Were Not the Cause
A misleading load-dependent symptom survived coil replacement and sensor checks. The confirmed fault was the mechanical timer contact.
What the source establishes
- The gas dryer motor started and stopped after a few seconds.
- With the gas-valve wires disconnected, the motor continued running, although the dryer could not heat.
- Replacing the gas-valve coils did not change the symptom.
- The sensors were checked and reported okay.
- The technician found that pulling the timer knob slightly farther allowed the timer contact to close correctly.
A similar symptom can have a different cause on another appliance or model.
How the evidence narrowed the diagnosis
Isolation clue
Removing the valve load changed the symptom
The motor then stayed on, while heat was necessarily unavailable.
Confirmed point
Timer position restored the contact
Extra pull on the knob allowed the timer to close the circuit normally.
What the evidence supports
The technician explicitly identified the timer contact after coils and sensors failed to explain the behavior. The motor stayed running when the timer knob was pulled slightly farther, showing that the contact depended on the timer's mechanical position. The source did not report replacing the timer or completing a post-repair test.
What should be verified next
For a similar dryer, qualified service should verify the wiring diagram, timer contact continuity and connector condition before replacing the motor or gas-valve parts.
Cases closest to this diagnosis
Gas and electrical safety: do not operate a gas dryer with valve wiring altered. Disconnect power, shut off gas and leave live circuit or valve testing to qualified service.