My Kenmore Elite dryer won't stay on after I release the PTS switch. The timer does not advance either. Is the timer bad os the fact that it does not advance a symptom of another problem?

It's dirty and lint deposits have built up, as it always does, in all the air ducts which causes the main safety to blow. A little vacuuming out does nothing. You will have to take it apart and test the thermal fuse near the heating element; it may be resettable. You will have to clean the drier out thoroughly or it is 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. The safeties are oval-shaped with a round center part containing the safety with two plug-on terminals for the wires and when they burn open, from the dryer being dirty, nothing will work. Using an ohm meter you put a lead on each terminal of the safety, with one wire unplugged, and if it's good you will have a reading of about zero; if it's bad it will read infinity. Driers were the number one cause of fires at one time, hence now we have safety fuses. 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
http://www.electrical-forensics.com/Dryer/ElectricClothesDryers.html
http://fixitnow.com/wp/2010/10/09/whirlpool-dryer-model-le5800xsw3-wiring-diagram/
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 all over again and if the belt is over two years old you should replace it.

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 to remove all dust. 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 vent should have a short run and be straight as possible. 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

It could be the pts relay/switch that's the problem however, if it's an electronic version you may be looking at an expensive fix in replacing the electronics or timer. My advice on this one, from my repair experience, is to cut your losses and buy a new one. It's not worth the money. Replacing the timer is an expensive proposition. If you do the work yourself then if might be worth the money but then again, you may be wasting money replacing parts needlessly. If you do take it on, buy the parts from a parts company that WILL take the parts back and will give you a refund. Ask first before you buy. This is very important. Most companies will not take parts back if they have been installed. Hope this helps,

Rich
Western Appliance Repair (http://www.westernappliancerepairboise.com) of Boise