I have an Electric Kenmore Dryer, model 110.86581100. My wife noticed the timer was not advancing the other day. Looking for a quick answer I went and purchased a new timer and installed it. To my frustration, the new one doesn't advance either... 90 bucks wasted there. OUCH. So I went into the diagnostic stage as I should have done in the first place.

It has three thermostats, one at the heater coil which has continuity at room temp. There is one on the exhaust vent which has continuity at room temp. It has a cycling thermostat that actually surrounds the thermostat on the exhaust vent. It does not show continuity at room temp. But I removed the wires and attached them to test it and the timer still did not advance.

I am at a loss now. Anybody have any suggestions?

Yep, dryer timers can be expensive and very difficult to repair if not impossible. Can I ask how old is the dryer? Average life expectancy is about 12 yrs. If it's an old one, why not chunk it for a new one. Today you can buy a decent dryer for about $330. Plus tax. If you do that, save the 220 cord now attached to the old dryer, they cost about $12.00 and you know it's the correct one for the 220 wall outlet, just make sure it's not observably worn. Sorry I don't have an answer for the timer issue.

It is an old one, about 18 years to be exact. But that is only the shell. It has a 1 year motor and pulleys, belt and seals... I was hoping to get away with a 20 dollar part or something here just before Christmas. I would love to buy a new one and may have to, but this seems like it should be something kind of simple. Thanks for your response though... If nothing else I will take your advice.

Just in case anyone else has this problem I found the solution. All of the thermostats are good, continuity at room temp, open with heat. I found out the timer motor did not have power when it was running... had power when it wasn't... weird huh?? Well I traced the wireing diagram and it goes straight back to the electronic cycle control also called a circuit board. Mounted right next to the timer. Well I took the board out, it just snaps in place. There is a resister or something, a large tan rectangular piece that sits on two pins soldered into the board. It was loose. I connected my circuit tester to it and it had a resistance of 645, but if I wiggled the board and simulated the vibration of the dryer running it dropped to 1. AhAAAAA!! I dropped a couple of drops of solder on each pin connector and the resistance remained stable. Reinstalled the board and the timer works great!

If anyone want to buy a slightly used timer for a Kenmore dryer let me know.. it has 5 minutes on it.

I'm glad I found this post, even though it's 6-1/2 years old. I am having similar problems with the timer on my Kenmore 110.76990110 dryer. Timer motor checks out OK. Runs and heats fine, just no timer advance.
After reading this, I checked the circuit board, and one of the resistors are charred, leading me to believe this is the problem. Found a used one on epay, for a LOT less than a new one. I will update this, after installing it.

Good luck with it. I started this thread and after fixing that circuit board we have had no further problems with the dryer. I was surprised to see this was in 2006. That dryer is still going strong and is now.. get this... This dryer is actually 28 years old ! Can't beat a Kenmore !

Thanks..! And really glad I found your post. I found a lot of threads concerning the timer, but not beyond the timer, if everything else is working. And, being Sears does not have the wiring diagram available anymore does not help.

Glad to hear yours is still going. Yep, built by Whirlpool, and not sure if they still are, but believe they were built just 35 miles from where I live, in Columbus, Ohio.

Got my used part yesterday, and installed it this morning. Works perfect..! Not sure for how long, but will put a saved search on epay, and keep an exrtra on hand. If I never use it, it will be cheap insurance... Only gave $11.00 for this one. Sure beats the price of a new dryer..!

My Kenmore dryer timer's not advancing. I don't see the circuit board; is it on the back of the console near the timer or is it down in the depths of the machine?

Mine was pretty easy to get to. It is under the top, on the right side, clear to the back. Maybe 8", or so down. The lint screen on mine is on top, so had to pull it out, then remove the two screws securing it to the top. Pulled forward on the top one side at a time, to release the catches, and raised it up. Circuit board pulls straight out.

I found mine by looking at the exploded views at Sears Parts Direct. The model number on mine is located at bottom left corner, inside door.

If you have the means to test the timer motor, better try that first. New circuit boards are close to $90.00. That's why I threw a $11.00 used one at it, just in case that wasn't the problem.. although my timer motor was working.

Thanks for responding. I already tried replacing the timer but that wasn't it. Ill try the circuit board.