Just installed new DLG7188WM today! My 6 year old 'Estate' dryer was supposed to have a 'shelf life' of 10-12 before repair or death...5.5 years into it - gas coil problems. Called repair ($80 just to find my address...of course would be credited to repair IF we decide his dx is correct and use him) and without even taking machine apart said, "Yup, gas coil blew. Gonna need a replacement." $175 (plus the 4 twenties he already pocketed) was the verdict. Machine cost us $500 - delivered, installed & old one hauled! A major repair at least 5 years sooner than originally rated seemed like throwing good money after bad. Tons of research later...we stumbled upon NINOSTRADING.COM (hope that doesn't make them raise their prices, may need a washer soon!) where they specialize in factory direct 'Dings & Dents.' Paid $340 for $1,200 dryer + $170 for cross country shipping. Husband installed in under one hour. $520 for top rated and full featured, 1-year factory warranteed, brand new machine? Easy choice. So far, so good...very thankful for this site and these threads to share tips. Still have old washer, so I will make sure to use HIGH SPIN to remove as much water possible before using new LG dryer. CAVEAT EMPTOR: This is NO FRILLS, AS-IS, and as available type of site. Excellent, courteous and prompt - but cannot be picky about appearance or minor 'fixes' you must make. Order by 'pallet number' and they state general appearance. 72 hour return. Not for the weak (or picky) hearted...but who can't use a little extra mortgage cash these days?!

If my research is correct, the control board is part number 6871ER1003E. Google search finds a seller on Amazon.com (if legitimate) that has a small supply of them. There are also two board repair services that may (or may not) handle them. Neither one lists the board by number but both of them may handle boards that they don't list. FixYourBoard.com CorecentricSolutions.com

okay - well here's an update. last night I had taken the timer assembly completely out. That's when I had noticed, and mentioned, the rattle in the timer motor, etc. This morning I was going to test the unit per above, so I put the timer assembly back in. When I plugged the unit back in - I tried starting it just for the heck of it. It's starting and running seemingly just fine now. What the...??? I supposed this could be the end of this thread now that I'm back up and running and I'm thrilled it's working again. But what the heck would have caused that??? In summary - I had replaced ONLY the failed thermal fuse - did not even open up the console back or tinker with ANYTHING else - and the unit was still dead. This forum and the people on it are awesome. Thank you all. Brad

So.... it was a minimal visit by the repair guy... he even said he was surprised that the reason the drum was seized was so simple... there's a piece of thick rubber stuck to the top middle of the lid right above the drum... perhaps to prevent the 'lid' from coming into contact with the drum... however... it appears that with the heat, bad design, the piece was sagging in the middle, and it was just enough that the drum caught it and it started to rub and wear with use. Once the dryer stopped, it completely hardened and stuck to the drum thus preventing it from spinning... he cut the piece of rubber off and we're back in business. Bad design? Unnecessary piece? Regardless.. I'm back in business, with my fingers crossed that there are no further issues. ;)