Well, darn, sorry that happened.

There are a lot of reasons why this could be happening, but let's start with the easiest, cheapest and most likely first. I am assuming that when it shuts down it completely shuts down, and not just the heat off with the motor continuing to run.

A likely scenario is that lint and debris has built up around the motor, and that combined with the high heat settings cause the thermal protection device on the motor to shut the motor off so that it is not damaged. Then when things cool down it will run again. What you will need to do is the following.

1. Take out the two screws under the lint filter cover. These hold the top to the cabinet.

2. Use a screw driver or putty knife to release the top from the cabinet by inserting it into the gap between the top and front at the edge and prying up. The top will now flip up and flip back on hinges. Find a way to support the top so it does not flip all the way back.

3. Take off the front of the dryer by taking out the two screws that hold it on. Disconnect the wires to the door switch and mark how they go. Don't forget to reconnect them when you put things back. (If nothing happens when you try to start it up again, you may not have put them back on, been there)

4. You can now reach in on the right side under the drum and release the belt by pushing on the idler pulley to reduce its tension.

5. You can now lift the drum out. Clean out all of the debris inside.

6. You are also going to want to take off the back, and take out the four screws holding the lint chute on the machine. Then you can take off the lint chute, clean it out and clean out the blower area. Also check the vent to the outside to make certain it is not obstructed. Finally check to make certain all of the electrical connections are tight at the connection block. Check the connections at the heater element and at the thermal cutoff and high limit thermostat on the heater housing.

This is not difficult, and not as hard as it sounds. Just take your time and get it clean. Then put it back together, leaving the back off and try it out with the vent disconnected.

If this does not repair it I advise replacing the thermistor which is on the back on the blower housing. Because of the nature of your problem I do not know of a good way to test it. Here is the part

Part number: AP3919451

Spent the last 3.5 hours following your excellent directions, cleaned it all thoroughly and managed to get it put back together. Although I will say that door, drum, belt thing is best as a 2-man job, isn't it?

Alas, lint appears not to be the problem upon testing it on the Reg/High Heat cycle. Once again, as it began to heat up in the first 5-8 minutes or so, the dryer shut off. :(

Perhaps I'll have renewed energy tomorrow to tackle locating and replacing that Thermistor part you mentioned, but today I've worn my little self out and need to walk away.

Thank you again for your help, sir.

Sir,
Yes, I'm sorry it didn't work out either :( I was so hopefully optimistic that lint was the culprit.

When you say this part is located on the blower housing... does that mean I can get to it by taking the back panel off again? I won't have to take apart the front of the dryer (door, drum, belt, etc...) I hope, I hope, I hope?

I've got bad weather here today and tomorrow, but Wednesday's looking good for trying this next and final step.

Thank you!

Oh! Thank you! I hadn't realized the model number was a hyperlink to a diagram. :) So, if I'm reading the diagram correctly, the Thermisor is behind the blower wheel, inside the blower housing?