whirlpool large capacity gas dryer runs but no heat. has happened 3x before and mysteriously decided to start heating again. any help? easy fix? maybe a sensor or some kind of heat ignition switch to replace?

Did you check the electric pilot light/spark? I'm just taking a wild guess but that is the 1st thing I would check.

Watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQV-z4f7fvA

Had same thing happen to me.....I cant view the video, but my dryer has a little opening where you can look into to see if the element is firing. I called a local repair place and he told me if the element wasn't firing then that is what I need to replace. I was going to order the part (less than $50)...but it was going to take a week till delivery. I went to a local second hand appliance place and the guy sold me one for $20 and gave me advice on how to install it myself!! Pretty easy to fix your self.....less than an hours work. Sears will charge you $60 just to walk in the door!!

I believe that there is a fuse in there somewhere that governs the igniter, but seeing that you have an intermittent problem I would think it is something else.

I have 20+ dryers at our rental properties, so it is a common occurrence. Usually you remove the back cover to the dryer and it should be there somewhere, but I use Sears stuff, which is White/Westinghouse. I would imagine it would be similar.

If nothing else works it may be worth a shot. That said, it sounds like a loose connection to me.

check the thermal fuse in the back of the machine. Too much lint build up and it burns out the element. (better than burning down the house)

took the igniter, flame sensor, and thermal fuse to a store. the thermal fuse was bad. 15 bucks to replace. 45 minutes of my life. sniff!!!! no more hanging my underpants on a clothes line. :happy: