I have the Kenmore 70 series dryer. It runs for 5 seconds and then shuts down smelling hot... any ideas... thanks

Must be a thermo switch turning off because of overheating.

You ALWAYS have to clean the air filter from lint before running any drying cycle.
Lint can cause unnecessary heating up, fire, equipment failure, and it cost money for extra electricity use. It also may cause your thermostat to cut out. Have you already checked the air filter?

Is there any airflow from the exhaust?

You may have to do a little research here.

To check what is going on in your dryer :

Remove the rear panel, and have a look as to what is going on.
Check the drive belt : is it frayed?
Is anything obstructing the drum?
Does anything look lose or broken?
Is there any flint around the heater element?

Please be careful : do not touch anything while the dryer is connected to the power.

:)

I have done all you asked already... I have taken it all apart... cleaned out the lint trap.. took of the whole lint trap assembly and cleaned it... made sure the heating elements were all working... For saome reason when I have it apart and I run it looking for a obvious problem the dryer will run?. I put it back togeather and it will run for a couple of turns then quits, or sometime will just hum and the drum will not move an inch but will make the starter button not work for a few minutes.. I don't know but the button will resaet itself after awhile and I can run it again for a few turns... Is the button bad... Is the motor on overload and just getting tired?? Any answers.. I gave you a lot of info... hope it will help... Thank you

Sounds like the motor is bad. Replace it

Thank you Esquire1... I was thinking the same thing...