My Kenmore elite dryer will not start when the start butten is pressed momentarily. It tries to start, but stops within seconds of releasing the start button. I reviewed earlier posts on the same topic, and saw that this is indicitave of bad electronic control assembly / thermistor, which cost over $100 if purchased via internet. I also saw that my dryer was involved in class action suit on this part (control assembly), but time has run out on filing for damages. Prior to spending this amount of money to repair, I taped the start butten down to see if it would work in that mode. I found that all dryer functions work perfectly. It dries in all modes as long as the button is taped down. It works on timed mode and in the evenheat mode. It goes through the cycles and stops when the load is dried. My question, is, _ Will operating with the start button permanently depressed cause an unsafe condition, that may increase risk of fire. Can it lead to other parts failing?

While I have not received any feedback so I thought I would provide a status report. I have dried about 12 loads of clothes so far, without any apparent problems. Have graduated to a clamp to keep the start button depressed as the tape could not maintain pressure. Not very pretty, but it seems to work.

Have you check the door interlock switch?

Yes, or I think I did. I ran diagnostics per service manual, and came up with controller and thermistor as needing replacement. However, I am open to suggestions on how to diagnose a defective "door interlock switch". Thanks for the suggestion.

We had this same problem with this dryer in December 2005. Of course, the dryer was out of warranty so we had to call a repairman. The repairman said it was a bad microcomputer board. The part cost $107.98 at the time, and his labor was $153. We've since had two other problems with the dryer that I fixed myself (thermal fuse and high-limit thermostat. ) I won't buy another Kenmore anything.

Agree with your Kenmore brand assessment. Mine is still working with the start button permanently depressed. I plan to keep operating until failure, then replace with smething else - not a Kenmore.