[wallace815]

The motor on my Magic Chef dryer makes a straining sound when it is trying to start. I also get an odor of something heating up in the motor. Like burnt varnish from the windings.
This started about a week ago. At that time the motor would make the same straining noise, but then it would start. Now it just sits and makes the straining noise. Is this the motor switch or the motor its self? The dryer is about 23 years old so I don't want to throw good money at something that is on its last leg.

[denman]

Here are your parts
Replacement parts for MAGIC CHEF YG20EA4 DRYER- GAS | AppliancePartsPros.com

Does sound like the motor is toast.

Try turning the drum by hand in the correct direction. It should turn fairly easily.
If not you may have a bad rear support roller or front support glides.


If you get heat it could be that the centrifugal switches on the motor are stuck in the activated position. Then the start winding is not connected in so the motor will not start.

I also would not put many dollars into it. Looks like many of the parts are now obsolete. So if one of those parts goes in the future you are out of luck.