Clothes dryer troubleshooting.

[kerry]

Normal operation: Set timer, close door, turn Start knob to on, it starts working.

Current operation: Set timer--dryer begins operating without either activating the start knob or closing the door. The start knob and door open off switch have no effect on the timer, it just starts operating when the timer is not in the 'off' position.

Anyone know what needs to be replaced? The timer?

[kerry]

Now it just quit operating altogether.

[Stretch]

Often gunk causing domestic appliance trouble - does it have a condensing box that can be removed and cleaned?

[Angel]

If its a pretty simple dryer (ie- no computers, all electric components close to each other) - I'm pretty sure that it can only be the timer (unless some kind of run relay is stuck...). If you can find a schematic (look online, even easier if the model was ever sold by Sears...), that'll show you where the timer contacts are that run the dryer motor and you can check continuity with a multimeter.

-John

[kerry]

It's a Kenmore. Has a small circuit board off to the side. I assume that has something to do with the 'wrinkle stop' feature. Timer looks like a typical analog version.

[kerry]

I ohmed out the start switch. I assume it should be open in the resting position. It's not. It has continuity in the resting position. That can't be right?

[kerry]

I unplugged the wires from the start switch. The switch is working fine with the wires unplugged. Open at rest and closed when turned. Hmmm? Now I'm confused.

[HuskyMan]

Originally Posted by kerry

I unplugged the wires from the start switch. The switch is working fine with the wires unplugged. Open at rest and closed when turned. Hmmm? Now I'm confused.

You, confused?? Say it isn't so!!

[Mark DiSilvestro]

If it's like my GE, there's a centrifugal switch in the motor. When you open the door while it's running, the door switch shuts the motor off. But because they don't want the machine to simply restart automatically as soon as the door is closed (in case children are playing nearby and one should crawl inside) the motors centrifugal-switch opens to block power to the motor AND heater circuit as soon as the motor stops spinning. That's why you need to hit the restart button/knob AFTER you close the door to restart the motor, which in turn energizes the heater and maintains power to itself, until you open the door again or the timer shuts it off.
My guess would be your initial problem started with a short or stuck-closed condition in the restart switch, or if the restart switch is now testing OK, then it's the centrifugal switch in the motor.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[kerry]

So that centrifugal switch is inside the motor itself? It must be stuck on. Wonder if it can be unstuck?

[kerry]

Another question: Will a stuck on centrifugal switch create a hazard? Nobody's going to be crawling inside this dryer so perhaps it's still usable as is?

[my83300cd]

I found instructions in the back of ours when my son did something to kill it. After replacing the broken belt it was a matter of cleaning years of lint out which was jamming the safety switch....after I replaced the timer which was not working...

[engatwork]

We've got a clothesline. Biggest issue is that the Chinese made cloths pins don't seem to hold up very long.

[lorainfurniture]

Can you check for continuity at the door switch? You say kenmore. Is the lint filter on top of the dryer, or inside the door?

I believe you may have a two part problem

[HuskyMan]

Originally Posted by lorainfurniture

Can you check for continuity at the door switch? You say kenmore. Is the lint filter on top of the dryer, or inside the door?

I believe you may have a two part problem

Yes, the two parts to the problem are:

1. Sears and 2. Kenmore