GE Dryer Timer Knob Not Working in Clearwater: A Cracked Knob Spinning on the Shaft
- Symptom
- The dryer's timer (cycle selector) wasn't working — turning the knob didn't change the cycle.
- Cause
- The timer on these GE dryers turns stiffly, and the plastic knob had cracked inside and was spinning freely on the shaft.
- Fix
- Fitted a new knob on the spot; the client paid only for the service call.
A client in Clearwater called about their GE electric dryer (model GTD38EASW0WS): the timer wasn’t working.
A very common GE problem
We see this one on these GE dryers all the time. The timer behind the cycle knob is quite stiff to turn, and the knob that grips its shaft is plastic. Over time the plastic cracks, and the knob starts spinning in place instead of turning the timer — so it seems like the timer itself has stopped working.
That’s exactly what we found here. In the photo at the top, the knob is off and the cracked piece from inside it is lying on the towel.
A new knob
The original knob on this model has a chrome finish. We didn’t have that exact one on hand, so we fitted a basic white GE knob instead, and the timer turns and selects cycles normally again. The client paid only for the service call.
Result
The dryer’s timer works again. If your GE dryer’s cycle knob just spins, check the knob before you buy a timer. It’s a much cheaper part. Other dryer problems we fix are on our dryer repair page.
FAQ
Why does my GE dryer knob spin without changing the cycle?
On many GE dryers the timer is stiff to turn, and over time the plastic knob cracks where it grips the shaft. Then it just spins in place.
Do I need a new timer?
Often not. If the knob is cracked, replacing the knob alone usually gets the timer working again.