[bcarroll7]

My Kenmore dryer stopped working mid-cycle during a heavy laundry load (lots of jeans). You could push the START button, but it would only hum but not move. My husband opened it up, found some rubber bands that were keeping the dryer drum from turning. It then worked - for one load. On the second load, which was another heavy load (some towels), it stopped again. We have the same situation - hum but not moving.

The fact that we got it to work again (for one load) tells me the switch works, the motor is OK, the sensors work, etc.

What can we do to fix this? Should we just get a new dryer?

Thanks for any help!

[labman]

The motor could have a dead spot in it. Turn it on, and give the drum a little push, and see if it takes off. How is the dryer in general? If it mostly seems to be OK, you should consider a new motor. It may seem expensive, but compare it to a new dryer.

I just had a kit with a new belt and some other parts come today. It is for the Kenmore we bought in 1973. It endured 2 kids including cloth diapers. I found Sears Parts a little annoying to deal with and the kit was $35 with shipping. Still, I see no reason not to expect the dryer to last many more years.

[bcarroll7]

Hi,

Thanks for much for your quick reply!

I am not sure what you mean by a dead spot in the motor. It worked fine for one load after we cleared out the rubber bands and lots of lint/hairbands/money/etc. that were scattered around. Do you mean, depending on where the motor was when the dryer finished a cycle?

As to the condition of the dryer... When my husband took off the cover, he saw a lot of an oily substance that appeared to have run down the back of the dryer - oil/lubricant? He wondered if something was leaking. Other than that, it seems fine. The dryer is only 4 years old!

How would I try to turn it on but turn the drum? I guess this would have to be done with the cover off? When we press the button, nothing happens but the hum. I could try to move the drum with it off, then try to start? What do you recommend?

[labman]

I was thinking of opening the door and giving the drum a shove, but it won't run with the door open. Try turning the drum that way, to turn the motor a little, and then try starting it.

[bcarroll7]

Thank you very much for your ideas. Here are my results. I gave the drum a shove, and it started and ran for about 40 seconds. It then stopped again.

What could the problem be? Should we buy a new one? Is a new motor expensive, if that is indeed the problem? The oil/lubricant leaking, plus this, makes me wonder if repair is prudent or if we should replace?

What is your advice?

[labman]

Dryers have very few moving parts. Newer ones may not even have a mechanical timer. Otherwise you have the motor, idler pulley, 2 drum support rollers and the drum itself. I am guessing the rubber bands jammed the drum, over heated the motor running its grease out, and overheating the windings leaving dead spots. Replace the motor, keep the rubber bands out of it, and it could run for years. The motor should be a lot cheaper. Unless you are unhappy with the features it has, I would replace the motor.

[bcarroll7]

Makes sense to me! Thank you.