Re: clothes dryer woes

From: Jonathan Kirwan (jkirwan_at_easystreet.com)
Date: 08/09/04 

Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2004 23:09:40 GMT

On 9 Aug 2004 15:43:52 -0700, bj_weller@yahoo.com (bj) wrote:

>I have a Kenmore electric dryer that went on the blink this weekend.
>I set the timer (which I can hear running) and push the START button.
>I hear a humming sound whilst pushing the button but nothing happens.
>I took the back off and wiggled the wires. Still doesn't work. I
>couldn't see the belt very good from the back but it looked attached. I
>can move the drum one way manually.
>
>I have limited tools (my trusty swiss army knife is alls I have used
>thus far if this gives you an idea). Should I just bite the dust and
>call a repair person, or are there a few things I can still check.

Assuming a side-loading dryer here...

Dryers often have a narrow belt that runs around the entire drying drum that you
put your clothes into. This belt is then attached to a motor. Usually, the
motors last a long time, but it is possible that the motor is "shot" and needs
to be replaced.

However, it's probably MORE likely that something is hanging up (or adding
resistance to turning) the drum. This can be piles of lint, dirt (and if you
have rats running around, wads of clothing they decided to drag into your
dryer.) What happens in this case is that the drum gets harder and harder to
turn, until it reaches the point that it can actually keep the motor from
turning it.

The humming you hear suggests to me that you have power and that the motor is
probably getting some -- hence, the humming. But that the motor is unable to
turn freely for some reason. If you open up the dryer enough (top panel with
the controls on it, for example) to reach the drum with your hand, try turning
it yourself. If it's not "really easy" and seems to have a modest amount of
friction to it, chances are that you've got garbage in there that needs cleaning
out so that the drum can turn. On the other hand, if it turns very easily, it's
probably your motor -- could be the bearings are worn, for example.

Even if it does "feel easy" to turn, get in there and clean out the dryer's
interior. Open up the front face of the dryer where the lint catcher is at and
make sure that the entire front area right down to the floor is lint free. Open
up the rest of your dryer and examine everything to make sure it's basically
clean of lint and wads of "other stuff." Get anything out of there that might
be hanging up the drum or adding friction when it turns.

Chances are, that will do it. If not, my guess is that your motor needs work or
replacement. Probably about US$100, or so.

Jon