[toddholmes]

My dryer was not dring clothes very quickly and I put off cleaning the vent. One day it got so hot that it almost burned the clothes and then quit. It wouldn't run at all. I used to own a heating shop so I figured that the dryer probably worked something like a furnace w/ high limits and a fusible link. Once I figured out how to get accsess and found a schematic (Maytag's site was so un helpful that they actually told me that they didn't have a model w/ my number???!!!!) I found the the thermal fuse and it didn't have continuity. I cleaned out the vent and found that it was stuffed almost solid. So I surmised that the clogged vent had caused the thermal fuse to melt down. I replaced it and the dryer worked....except that it was still getting really HOT. So I replaced the thermostat/High Limit. It still seemed too hot and seemed like it continued to power the element even w/ the door open if there was still "time" on the Control knob. It didn't shut off unless I turned the knob physically to "off". Now it has quit working at all again, except that when I set it to run and push the start button...I can hear a slight hummm but nothing else sems to be happening.?????Any thoughts???

[denman]

Here are your parts, includes a wiring diagram
Model MDE9557AYW

If the hum is coming from the motor, it may have bit the dust.

This may take two people
First try rotating the drum by hand, it should turn fairly easily.
Open the door
Hold the door switch closed
Push the start button while rotating the drum in the correct direction
Watch your knuckles in case it starts up
If the dryer starts up, odds are high that the motor is shot re: one of the windings has burned out.

It sounds like your earlier high heat problem may have been due to a grounded element. Could be it is either broken or it has sagged and touched the case. Check it either visually or with a meter.

[toddholmes]

I further observed that the element is on and heat is coming out of the perforated plate as soon as i turn the control dial to anything but "off". This is with the door open.

[denman]

Definitely sounds like a grounded element.

[denman]

Definitely sounds like a grounded element.

There is an outside chance that it is dropping the voltage and this is causing the motor problem.

If the heater is grounded, I would remove the wires to it (mark where they go).
Tape them up so they cannot short to the frame
Give it a try.
If it starts, then all you need is the heater.