[Chris33]

I have a dryer that has begun to act up. It often doesn't start or requires holding down the start button a few seconds until the motor really engages. Sometimes the motor doesn't engage and it won't respond to the start button at all. Then, after a few minutes, if I come back and try again, it starts. I thought it was a bad starter, but now additionally, when I do finally get it to start, it sometimes quits in the middle of a timed cycle. The timer checks out fine. Could it be overheating? Could the thermostat and the starter have gone up at the same time?

[denman]

Your model number is short several digits.
Kenmore numbers are usually 3 digits. then 7 or 8 digits.
Kenmore does not make any thing and the first 3 digits tell us who actually made the unit.
This gives us a better chance at guessing about the tech info for the unit.

Could it be overheating?
My guess would be that you had/have a motor problem.
This then gave you a low air flow through the unit and it has now blown the motor's thermal fuse (usually mounted on the blower assembly along with the cycling thermostat.

Could the thermostat and the starter have gone up at the same time?
Doubtful but anything is possible.

[Chris33]

Originally Posted by denman

Your model number is short several digits.
Kenmore numbers are usually 3 digits. then 7 or 8 digits.
Kenmore does not make any thing and the first 3 digits tell us who actually made the unit.
This gives us a better chance at guessing about the tech info for the unit.

Could it be overheating?
My guess would be that you had/have a motor problem.
This then gave you a low air flow through the unit and it has now blown the motor's thermal fuse (usually mounted on the blower assembly along with the cycling thermostat.

Could the thermostat and the starter have gone up at the same time?
Doubtful but anything is possible.

Thanks for the response. Sorry I was shy a few of the numbers. After I started to smell a slight burning scent when I was trying to work on it, I figured it was probably the motor. The dryer is 11 years old and has done a great job but given all the problems, it is now time to put out to pasture. We bought a new Kenmore with a moisture sensor that should do us fine. Hopefully we'll get 11 years plus out of this one! Thanks again!