[slimjim]

I hope someone can help since this is driving me nuts!
Our dryer is 20 yrs old, had been ok, but in the lsat few yr. noisy, thought the belt had slipped.
Last yr. replaced heat. element. worked fine but then suddenly would run and stop after 20 min.- 1 hr. Top of dryer seemed to get very hot, then realised there was no lint in catcher, so i pulled back off and disovered the lint chute assembly was 100% clogged and i cleaned it!
Other day, nothing happ. when i tried to start it last week, so i puled the belt off and it had some cracks, then i cleaned motor and it started up and ran fine the whole cycle, but then again it would not start for 1 hr. and would only work with lite loads.
But now it seems to shut down every few 10-20 min. when i push the start button, either nothing or goes like DDRRRR and sometimes starts and sometimes not!
I wonder if the cracked belt streched and if an overheat unit keeps shutting it down?

[denman]

Sounds like the motor is overheating and is on it's last legs.
It is probably overheating and tripping it's internal thermal cutoff.

Try rotating the drum in the correct direction, should rotate fairly easily.
Just a check to be sure drum is not jammed.

The following may take two people.
Open the door.
Hold the door switch closed.
Push the start switch.
While the unit is making the buzz rotate the drum in the correct direction.
Watch your knuckles in case it starts up.
If it does start rotating, the motor is probably had it.

[slimjim]

Well, i put a new motor and belt in in today! It ran fine for 3 loads about 2 hrs. total, but suddenly the breaker in the main breaker box kicked off, and will not reset. So i will have to get a new Breaker.
I am wondering even though the Motor was new, if maybe it had a problem?
It did have a different centrifugal switch and the wires had to go on different locations, it was somewhat confusing. Is it possible i put a wire on the wrong connection?
Thank you, for any advise.

[denman]

Well, i put a new motor and belt in in today! It ran fine for 3 loads about 2 hrs. total, but suddenly the breaker in the main breaker box kicked off, and will not reset. So i will have to get a new Breaker.
I assume that you also tried resetting the breaker with the unit unplugged.
If the unit has a dead short the breaker will not reset.

I am wondering even though the Motor was new, if maybe it had a problem?
This is always a possibility but it did run 3 loads.

It did have a different centrifugal switch and the wires had to go on different locations, it was somewhat confusing. Is it possible i put a wire on the wrong connection?
This is also a possibility, unfortunately I cannot find a wiring diagram on the net so cannot be much help here. If you do not have it check in the control console they like to store the diagrams here.

[slimjim]

Thanks, here is what happened, after i unplugged the unit i was able to reset the main breaker! Like i had said earlier, on the motor, the centrifugal switch is different and set up so that basically, the wires once plugged in, stick up straight, unlike the old one, where they went in sideways. I was worried that thet were to close to the drum, and that the drum could rub on them and cause a problem, even though i had taped them down, the drum rubbed on a couple and on one rubbed the insulation away, and the exposed wire touched the drum, so it burned in two, i spliced another piece of wire in to it and re-routed the rest!
Thank's denman for all the help, one more question, the 2 hub springs which held the motor in place were almost impossible to get back on, what kind of tool is needed for installing those?
Just so i know for next time, all is well!

[denman]

You can usually get them back on with a long shaft flat screw diver.
Clip the clamp on one side, then push down and towards the motor mount on the other end till it clips in. May have to give it a bit of a pop.
Others swear by using vice grips.

I assume all the wiring has lots of clearance now.
If the problem reoccurs you may want to try giving the motor a quarter turn.
This is just a I THINK as I cannot find the parts breakdown for this unit.

PS: Glad you got it up and running

[slimjim]

My dryer worked for 3 weeks, but last night heard a poof and it stopped, circuit breaker did not flip off, took motor to store and basically they said they could not test it and had hell of a time getting another!
The new one however wont do anything, gets juice but wont do squat!
I even tried to run a 120 volt cord to term. 4 & 5 and nothing, so i guess i got another bad one.
As far as i know this above test, proves it's bad!
Thank You!
James

[denman]

As far as i know this above test, proves it's bad!

Yes I would agree with you.
Could always check it with a meter for continuity.

Sounds like this dryer is messing with you, big time!!!

[slimjim]

Another new Motor and all is well!
Thank's