Hi:

My Kenmore cloth dryer stopped working after I received 5 inches of water as a result of a basement backup. I didn't have any problem with this dryer prior to the basement backup. The water is now gone and the basement is now dried.

When I press the turn on button, nothing happen. I checked the control panel circuit breaker, the door switch, and the electrical outlet; it is still working w/o problem.

I don't know what could be the problem. I thought a call repair vs. getting a new replacement unit but I'm still undecided.

Thanks for helping.

I called repair service. A new motor was installed and everything worked fine. A note of caution if you'll be doing self-service: make sure that any wires or electrical contact are in correct position so it won't short circuit.

Total cost for service was $203. Time: 1/2 hour.

Good to hear that the problem is solved. Just for others reading this topic to be capable to find out what to do in such case :

The standard procedure testing after flooding is as follows :

First check with a lamp or multi meter if there is power on the wall socket.
If so remove the rear panel, and have a look as to what is going on.
Check the drive belt : is it frayed?
Is the drum running against something?
Does anything look lose or broken?

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

If you can not find anything, remove the power - take the power cable out of the socket and put it on the ground.
Note down how the belt is connecting the drum and motor.
Remove the belt (by taking away the tension from the belt this is easy).
Spin the (empty) drum a couple of times by hand, as fast as possible. Is it running freely?
Spin the motor a couple of times by hand, as fast as possible. Is it running freely?

If everything seems fine your problem may be related to the thermostat, the spin motor, or the start capacitor of the motor having a resistance leak.

Check the thermostat for continuity. The thermostat is always mounted near or against the heating element. To check the thermostat you need a Volt or Multi meter, and the knowledge how to operate one.

Than check the motor for water damage.

If both are OK, check the start capacitor : it is almost always located in a rounded-off flat metal container 1' long mounted against the dryer frame or one of the walls. The value (on the housing printed in " uF ") and the numbers of connected wires are important.
If you remove the capacitor (note down how it is wired) you can take it with you to a service shop to have it checked and if needed replaced.

And if necessary : always come back to the board and discuss your findings!

:)

Credendovidis mentioned about checking the start capacitor. Just remember to discharge it properly before touching it with your fingers.


How to Check a Start Capacitor - wikiHow