View Full Version : How do you troubleshoot a kenmore elite dryer
TANDREWS
Oct 15, 2011, 12:35 PM
I'm trying to troubleshoot a Kenmore Elite 110 dryer I have power but nothing is happening ,I checked my power source and I am getting 130V from each phase
Stratmando
Oct 15, 2011, 01:04 PM
I you can work safely with electricity and know death can result, remove back and check voltage in and out, can also tell it is open if you measure 240 volts across the terminals, if the thernmal was closed it would measure zero volts across the terminals.
Also they can be tested with power removed and remove 1 lead and check for continuity.
drtom4444
Oct 15, 2011, 11:09 PM
Unplug it and check it by ohming out from plug. DrTom4444
drtom4444
Oct 16, 2011, 01:24 PM
You will have to take it apart and test the thermal fuse near the heating element. Most likely it is blown and will have to be replaced, but you will have to clean the drier out thoroughly or it all for nothing. Every air duct will have to be removed and scraped and washed out to remove baked on lint deposits which is like a concrete lining. This will burn so the manufacturer has installed the safeties to keep from having a house fire. Driers were the number one cause of fires at one time. Look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMP7BW1lLs4 to see how. Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBiRw-KElC4 ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFTZGgVisCI
When you finish cleaning the drier and install a new safety it is best to also replace the belt, too, because you do not want to have to disassemble it again and if the belt is over two years old you should replace it. The safeties are oval-shaped with a round center part containing the safety with two plug-on terminals for the wires.
Using an ohm meter you put a lead on each terminal of the safety with wires unplugged and if it's good you will have a reading of about zero; if it's bad it will read infinity.
Note that on most of the videos it does not show them washing out the parts, but this is important because it's the only way to really get the parts clean, just don't get motor wet or the capacitor if it has one. Vacuum out the motor. I would move the drier out to your garage to have plenty of space to work. You also want to check your vent and clean it, also. The job is really easier than it sounds. There is no shortcut that will work; it has to be cleaned well. Before you re-assemble it make sure to use white lithium grease (high-temp grease) and grease all bearings. Just vacuuming out the dryer a little does little good. DrTom4444