Is there a manual for a Kenmore dryer 417.8204101 that I can review online? My dryer is hot on the top right back corner even when the dryer has not been run in over a week. When the door is open there is sometimes a blue flash and an orange glow at the back. Again, this is when the dryer has not been run in several days. I have now unplugged the dryer and removed the top exposing the drum, etc. I don't see any melted wires or indication of burning. I do not know where to begin to troubleshoot this problem! When I did run the dryer (before the I noticed the blue/orange) it did not seem to be heating as usual. I did spend the last 20 minutes. Reading 400 questions/answers before I asked this question, but I did not find a similar question to refer to. With some (maybe a lot?) of direction I think I can fix this. Our extended warranty expired in December so I really need to try to do this myself. Thanks for any help you can give me. PK

It sure sounds like there is a short-circuit somewhere. This is extremely dangerous!

If you are not very, very comfortable working with electricity, I would highly recommend paying for a serviceman. Your health or even life are more valuable than what a service call will cost.

Also, I would not plug this dryer in until the problem is resolved--it is very dangerous.

If you still insist on troubleshooting this yourself, I would pull the dryer out from the wall so that you can get behind it. UNPLUG IT FIRST. Remove the back and carefully examine each wire for evidence of burning. Look especially where wires are near the metal parts of the frame. Now, if you find something suspicious, you'll need to insulate that spot. Due to the high temperatures, this may require some special consideration. I'd take a photo of the area and show it to someone at an electrical supply house (not a big box DIY store) and ask for recommendations. It could be that the heating element has sagged enough to short out against the frame. Remove it and carefully inspect it for any of the coiled wire touching something it shouldn't. If you see something, you could try moving the coil away from the metal AS A TEST. If this resolves the problem, I would still buy a new heating element, since the old one will just sag again and cause problems.

Please note this is still very hazardous. Take the utmost care. My recommendation: call for service.

Good Luck,
WallyH