A North Canton homeowner called us when their Whirlpool dryer was running but producing no heat, and their oven wouldn’t heat either — though the stovetop burners worked fine. Our diagnosis revealed ignitor failure in the oven and faulty gas valve solenoids in the dryer.
The Problem
The customer reported their dryer would tumble clothes and blow air but generate no heat at all. Simultaneously, their oven wouldn’t reach temperature despite the control panel lighting up normally. The gas range burners on top functioned without issue, which pointed us toward component-specific failures rather than a gas supply problem.
Diagnosis
We found the oven’s ignitor had weakened to the point where it couldn’t draw enough current to open the gas safety valve. In the dryer, the gas coil valve solenoids had failed, preventing gas flow to the burner assembly even though the ignitor was working. Both failures are common in Whirlpool gas appliances after several years of use — the ignitor elements degrade from repeated heating cycles, while the solenoid coils can burn out from electrical stress.
The Repair
- Parts replaced: W10918546 ignitor (oven), 279834 gas coil valve solenoids (dryer)
- Work performed: Disconnected gas and electrical connections, removed failed components, installed new ignitor and solenoids, reconnected all systems
- Result: Dryer heating normally on all cycles, oven preheating to 350°F in 7 minutes
Is It Worth Repairing?
The WFG231LVB0 is a solid mid-range Whirlpool combo unit that typically runs 10-15 years with proper maintenance. Since both the dryer and oven share the same chassis, fixing both issues together makes economic sense — these are wear parts that can be expected to fail over time. The alternative would be replacing a fairly reliable appliance that still has useful life remaining.
Maintenance Tips for Whirlpool Gas Dryers and Ranges
- Clean the dryer’s lint screen after every load and vacuum the lint trap housing monthly — restricted airflow makes the ignitor work harder
- Check that your oven ignitor glows bright orange before gas flows; a weak yellow glow indicates impending failure
- Keep the area around gas connections clear and inspect flexible gas lines annually for cracks or corrosion
Appliance Repair in North Canton, OH
North Canton is in Stark County — an area we cover regularly from our base in Louisville, OH. We also serve Alliance, Hartville, and Louisville. Louisville Appliance Repair is owned and operated by Samuel Willhite, a master-certified technician with Bosch and Speed Queen factory authorizations. If your appliance needs service, schedule online or call (330) 693-9163. You can also find us on Google and read verified reviews from customers across Stark County and surrounding areas.
Louisville Appliance Repair serves Stark County and surrounding areas.
Schedule your repair online,
call (330) 693-9163,
or see our reviews on Google.