[susanpoole]

called cust. service and was suggested I get a new timer. It's not the timer. When I press start the dryer makes the humming sound like it's going to start, lasts maybe 3-5 seconds, and then there's a click sound and then nothing... kind of like a gfci switch tripping. if I try and restart immediately nothing happens. If I wait a bit, I get the same hum-click. Any suggestions? I took the machine apart, cleaned everything, checked all the connections. I did install the new timer but the same thing was happening so I reinstalled the old one. And...the dryer started. ran 2 loads and then the above happened.

[denman]

Here are your parts
Parts for Maytag PYE4557AYW Dryer - AppliancePartsPros.com

Sounds like the motor is toast.
When it does not start it overheats and trips it's internal thermal protect.
You then have to wait for it to cool down so that the thermal protect resets before it will try to start again.

Perhaps try the following to confirm that it is the motor.

Try turning the drum by hand. Should turn fairly easily. If not could be the drum is jammed for some reason. You may want to try this on a couple other dryers to get a feel for it.
If it is difficult to turn run your fingers around the back and front of the tub to machine seal. To see if something has jammed between the tub and frame (bra wires are famous for this). Be careful in case the object is something sharp.
If nothing is jammed in there you will have to open it up and find the cause.

If it rotates OK.
This may take 2 people
Open the door
Manually hold the door switch closed
Push the start button and manually rotate the drum in the correct direction.
Watch your knuckles in case it starts up.
If it does start up, odds are high that you need a new motor.

Could also be that the motor is jammed solid with lint and this is preventing the Start/Run centrifugal switch from resetting (the unit is trying to start with out the motor's start winding in circuit.

[susanpoole]

ok, thanks. it's not lint so I'll try the drum test. I just looked up the motor part and it's listed as out of stock.....now what???

[denman]

If it turns out to be the motor give them a call and see when if ever the motor will be available. You could also try local parts supply dealers.