It sounds like the valve is slipping, or has a bad solenoid, if you are hearing a clang, it sounds (over the internet) like some sort of quick open/close. Could be a clock problem or valve problem.

I am having the same problem with a Stanley Quiet drive, that was installed nearly 14 years ago. It opened just fine this morning but now it won't close because the sensor just keeps beeping and thinks that something's in the way, but there's nothing there. I've unplugged the unit thinking that that might help but it didn't. I am also unable to manually close the door since the cord nearly ripped off when I tried to pull it to release the door from the opener. I can reach the unit & tried to release it without using the cord but it won't budge. The beeping is coming from one side and I noticed that when I wriggled one of the wires, the red light flashed in unison with my wriggling. I did not see a light on the other unit, as was previously suggested. We got our first real snowfall here and I really don't want to leave the door opened all night. HELP! P.S. I'm sorry that this forum appears to be mostly about garage door openers but the was the most active place that I could find to ask for help as I'm unable to locate the manual and don't think I should have to pay $7.50 to download something I already own but can't find--which I'm sure will miraculously appear once the problem's been corrected.

I see from the parts diagrams that it's Whirlpool's 27" dryer design, same as my Calypso Senseon dryer. It's a sturdy mechanical design, the drum has roller supports both front and back, unlike some dryers that have rollers in back with nylon or felt glides in front that don't last as long. However, the drum is very deep front-to-back, which gives small loads a lot of "elbow room" to tumble without contacting the sensor bars at the front. It has mechanical controls, not an electronic panel, so there are no built-in diagnostic routines to test the sensor*. There is a small electronic board for the moisture sensor circuit, which is likely OK since it dries OK with larger loads. Question: It really shut off in just five mins with a small load? That's a little unusual for a mechanical timer. Even with the moisture sensor basically signaling a dry load, the timer has to physically run the distance from the initial setting to Off, which should be more than 5 mins. For small loads, try setting the timer more toward the Very Dry or Extra Dry end of the scale, maybe even at the extreme end. That may work out for small loads to come out "normally" dried. Or is the diagram wrong and it does have an electronic panel? *There is something you could do to test the sensor, that may or may not work. If there's a separate temperature control to select Air/No Heat, *with* the timer on the auto-sensor cycle, you could run it with the door open, pressing the safety switch to override it, and hold a damp cloth against the sensor bars which should prevent the timer from moving. Remove the cloth, and the timer should move. It'd take several minutes holding the cloth both ways to visually confirm the timer is or is not advancing. HOWEVER, you'd have to be SURE that the gas burner won't come on running with the door open, because with the door open the airflow is wrong (pulled in through the open door instead of through the burner duct) and would cause it to overheat, possibly blowing the thermal safety fuse which would then have to be replaced. This won't work if Air/No Heat is a separate TIMED cycle on the timer, or if selecting Air on the temp control bypasses the moisture sensor circuit so that the effect is a timed cycle even on the auto-dry setting.

Juanita, look at my other post titled Desoto Falls. Paticularly in the bottom left quarter of the actual waterfall, you can see several dust specks... From what I understand, dust is just a miserable fact of life...lol. I think it happens most requently when changing lenses. I try to change mine with the camera facing down....dont know really if it helps, but in my mind it does! :)