Kenmore dryer won't start

googamus · #1 Feb 4, 2006, 07:44 AM

No problem at breaker/fuse box. Outlet appears fine.

Light on in dryer when door opens.

Any suggestions?

fredg · Feb 5, 2006, 05:25 AM

HI,
It could possibly be a bad "starter solenoid" or switch. If you are a "do it yourself" person, with a voltmeter, or multi-meter, you can check the power at the wall plug, (probably 220 V.) and also check the power going to the switch. If you have power going to the switch, and it won't turn on, that is likely the problem. Be sure your voltmeter is first set above the voltage you are testing, then come down with it.
Or, you could have a repair person look at it. Best of luck.

tkrussell · Feb 5, 2006, 07:15 AM

I have found sometimes that the door switch is the problem. I think every dryer has a switch that senses when the door is opened, and closed. Open the door and look for an opening in the jamb of the dryer door opening, there will be a plunger on the door that will insert into this opening to activate the switch. With the door opened, you can activate the lever on the switch with a plastic tool, do not use metal because ther may be live terminals that can be touched, push in and out on the lever to hear the switch click.

First the plunger knob that is on the door must be in good condition, and the lever on the switch must be visible and/or be able to be moved.

I found some good troubleshooting tips and pictures at:

http://www.do-it-yourself-washing-ma...ic-Dryers.html

At this site, and many others, you can review the other problems there may be causing the dryer to not start. I always check the door switch first because this takes a beating by the door being closed or slammed.

The light in the dryer is a good sign to prove voltage being delivered, but can be misleading, since the lamp is 120 volts which uses 1 hot feed to the dryer, there are two hot feeds to the dryer for 240 volts and one may be interrrupted by a bad fuse, breaker, or a bad connection anywhere from the breaker to the outlet ,and the cord. you must be sure that you have 240 volts at the outlet.
If the proper voltage is at the outlet, the cord connections in the dryer may be faulty. If this is OK, then check the door switch, or you can see by the web page I offered, you can move on to the thermal switch inside, and other causes not allowing the unit to start.

Hope his helps, if you get stuck or have any other questions, do not hesitate to get back with them.



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