[Nvleisides]

My Kenmore Elite gets warm but the clothes are not completely dry at the end of the cycle. I've cleaned the filter, exhaust hose, up into the body of the dryer. Is there more than one element and one gone bad? Why some heat but damp clothes? Help.

[ballengerb1]

Just so we are clear, this is a 240 vac electric dryer, right? If so have you tested for 240 on the back connecting inside the panel? You may only be getting 120 from the home, lost a leg.

[Nvleisides]

Thanks for responding. It is plugged in to 110. The dryer gets warm and will dry clothes but we have to set it on the timer for well over an hour. Heating element either works or no? In between?

[ballengerb1]

What brand/model is this? In the USA we have not had 110 in 60 years.

[Nvleisides]

Bro... que? "te" "hace" "web" "hay"... would take me 60 years to understand what you said? :-) Translate for me, OK? Thanks!

[drtom4444]

You will have to take it apart and test the thermal fuse near the heating element and the heating element. You will be able to see the heating element and you can see if it's burned in two. There are also fuses at the ends of the element that will need testing, too. You will have to clean the drier out thoroughly or it is all for nothing. Every air duct will have to be removed and scraped and washed out to remove baked on lint deposits which is like a concrete lining. This will burn so the manufacturer has installed the safeties to keep from having a house fire. The safeties are oval-shaped with a round center part containing the safety with two plug-on terminals for the wires and when they burn open from the dryer being dirty nothing will work. Using an ohm meter you put a lead on each terminal of the safety with wires unplugged and if it's good you will have a reading of about zero; if it's bad it will read infinity. Driers were the number one cause of fires at one time, hence now we have safety fuses. Look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMP7BW1lLs4 to see how. Also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBiRw-KElC4 ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFTZGgVisCI
http://www.electrical-forensics.com/Dryer/ElectricClothesDryers.html
http://fixitnow.com/wp/2010/10/09/whirlpool-dryer-model-le5800xsw3-wiring-diagram/
When you finish cleaning the drier and install a new safety it is best to also replace the belt, too, because you do not want to have to disassemble it all over again and if the belt is over two years old you should replace it.

Note that on most of the videos it does not show them washing out the parts, but this is important because it's the only way to really get the parts clean, just don't get motor wet or the capacitor if it has one. Vacuum out the motor. I would move the drier out to your garage to have plenty of space to work. You also want to check your vent and clean it, also. The vent should have a short run and be straight as possible. The job is really easier than it sounds. There is no shortcut that will work; it has to be cleaned well. Before you re-assemble it make sure to use white lithium grease (high-temp grease) and grease all bearings. Just vacuuming out the dryer a little does little good. DrTom4444

[ballengerb1]

Sorry Nv, apparently my smart phone looks at what I type but send what it thinks I really wanted. For example, when I typed the it , for some unknown reason sent te. All is corrected now.

[drtom4444]

You can look at the YouTube videos to see how to fix your dryer, but you absolutely have to use a meter to test things and you have to clean it.