Hi, I live with roommates and somehow someone stuck the lint filter in backwards and the dryer now will start (and begins to spin but makes an odd rumbling sound like something is off kilter, but the dryer doesn't shake), but will stop as soon as you release the power button. My theory is that the overheat protection is being triggered because something (maybe old lint, etc.) got pushed down in there and is messing with the blower. Could this be? Or is it possible that putting the lint filter in backwards could have misaligned something? Just for the sake of clarity, the lint filter is now removed, as is the vent pipe.
Thanks,
Inked

Never mind. I managed to take it apart and found an old sock in the blower fan. It must have been in there and just gotten pushed down by the lint filter.