I have a Maytag Centennial Electric Dryer Model MEDC500VW0. I recently noticed that when I open the dryer after it has been on, there is a distinct burning smell (not rubber, not electrical).
I did a little experimentation, and it looks like the smell occurs on all heat settings (low, medium, and high), but not on air fluff. Makes sense, so i figured the smell was coming from the coils.
My first inclination is that somehow lint got in the coils, so I took off the back panel and inspected the coils. There was not much lint inside the back panel, but I cleaned it all out anyway and the coils appeared pristine.
I checked all the wiring and it also all appeared to be in good order. My only guess at this point is that the thermometer or temperature controller is not functioning correctly. To me it makes sense that if the thermometer is broken and it thinks the temperature is always too low, it keeps telling the coils to heat up (even though in actuality, they are already at the proper heat level, or hotter), and therefore causing the burning smell on all temperature settings.
The only problem with this is that I don’t know how this dryer works. I don’t know if there is a temperature controller, and if there is or isn’t, I’m surprised there isn’t an overheat detection that would shut it off when it’s getting so hot.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-CP