[StephenR]

My mother's gas dryer stopped working. when the start button is pushed, it makes noises like its trying to turn the drum, but the drum only turns slowly a bit, then stops. i get a whiff of electrical heat from it then, like there might be some wire cooking inside.

should i suspect the motor?

last, i've never opened up a dryer but am good with tools. is there any reference on the web, especially with diagrams or pictures, on how to dissemble it to get to the motor?

thanks!