My 8 year old Kenmore 80 Series clothes dryer will run for 50 or so minutes and then sut down. I can start it again if I wait a few minutes. The more times I use it, the more quickly it shuts down. I have cleaned the lint from everywhere from the inside of the dryer (control panel and around the drumb) as well as the entire vent, right out to the outside. I always clean the lint trap after each load.

Most dryers, including Kenmore, have a high heat limit switch or breaker. When the unit starts to over heat the breaker will pop, however most of these breakers or switches are not resettable so this might not be your problem. Gas or electric?

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Most dryers, including Kenmore, have a high heat limit switch or breaker. When the unit starts to over heat the breaker will pop, however most of these breakers or switches are not resettable so this might not be your problem. Gas or electric?

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It is an electric dryer. There must be some kind on internal, auto resettable breaker beacause each time it stops before the cycle ends, I can start it again by waiting a few minutes.

Sounds more like a thermal relay. If you call Sears for repair you can expect to pay about $175 to $200. Parts run about $75. How hany are you working with 240 volts, got a test meter?

Actually, there is no "relay" in your dryer. Most likely you have a bad drive motor. What happens is the motor runs when its cool, but overheats due to consuming too much electricity. There is a safety device in the motor that shuts it down. After it cools off a bit, the device resets automatically, allowing the motor to function again, but since the motor isn't back to room temperature, it simply reaches cutoff temp sooner. Usually this condition is identified by a louder "groaning" sound just as the motor starts. If so, I'd go get a new dryer. Let me know if you have any more questions.

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Originally Posted by applguy

Actually, there is no "relay" in your dryer. Most likely you have a bad drive motor. What happens is the motor runs when its cool, but overheats due to consuming too much electricity. There is a safety device in the motor that shuts it down. After it cools off a bit, the device resets automatically, allowing the motor to function again, but since the motor isn't back to room temperature, it simply reaches cutoff temp sooner. Usually this condition is identified by a louder "groaning" sound just as the motor starts. If so, I'd go get a new dryer. Let me know if you have any more questions.

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I took the dryer apart again and vacuumed out the motor. I was then able to do 4 loads of laundry without any shut-downs, so it appears that you have identified the problem. I guess a large dust bunny was causing the motor to overheat. Thanks for your help.

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Originally Posted by sarahquestion

I took the dryer apart again and vacuumed out the motor. I was then able to do 4 loads of laundry without any shut-downs, so it appears that you have identified the problem. I guess a large dust bunny was causing the motor to overheat. Thanks for your help.

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I love those bunnies