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View Full Version : Dryer stopped in mid cycle and won't start back up.


Annie6246
Mar 30, 2013, 12:45 PM
I have an electric Kenmore Elite dryer, that quit after about 10 minutes into drying cycle. I waited about an hour and tried it again. It ran for about 10 minutes and stopped, for good, this time. After researching problem, I ordered and replaced the thermal fuse and door switch, to no avail. I, also, did the breaker reset, checked the vent hose and checked the outlet for power. My drum turns easily, by hand. There was no motor noise or smell of anything overheating or burning. My belt is in excellent shape. The only thing I have not replaced is the start switch. Will the start switch cause the dryer to stop running in mid cycle?

ma0641
Mar 30, 2013, 01:24 PM
More than likely the temp limit control safety. It is located on the exhaust duct inside the cabinet. Depending on your model, they can be $5 or less. You will need a VOM to test.

drtom4444
Apr 1, 2013, 03:07 PM
Most likely it is dirty and lint deposits have built up, as it always does, in all the air ducts which will cause the main safety to blow causing the problem you described.You need a multi-meter to find which safety has blown. You will have to take it all apart and 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 bakes on 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 or it will not heat. Using an ohm meter you put a lead on each terminal of the safety, with one wire unplugged, and if it is good you will have a reading of about zero; if it is bad it will read infinity. Driers were the number one cause of fires at one time, hence now we have safety fuses. Look at: How to clean your clothes dryer. How to make it hot again. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMP7BW1lLs4) to see how. Also look at these to get an idea about how to clean it: Mr. Appliance Tips: How to Clean Your Dryer - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBiRw-KElC4) ; Cleaning a Dryer Vent and Lint Trap - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFTZGgVisCI)
Electric Clothes Dryers (http://www.electrical-forensics.com/Dryer/ElectricClothesDryers.html) Dryer vent cleaning prevents fires - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6wmD502-xE) and: Cleaning out a dryer with top lint cleanout - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBNDbyRm68M&feature=fvsr)
Cleaning out a dryer: By a woman 2 of 2 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a73HTFkcB90&feature=relmfu)
When you finish cleaning the drier 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 no good.
Here are some manuals: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/8010163/Kenmore%20Dryer%20Manuals.zip