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Joined: 5/23/2011(UTC) Posts: 7
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My dryer drum won't turn. It did this once a couple of weeks ago and I left it alone for a while and it magically started working again. Yesterday it didn't magically start again.
The heating element comes on. I have tested the on button at the top and the switch on the door and they both appear to be OK. I just finished opening the case and tried to test the motor. I disconnected the wiring harness and put my volt meter on either end and it showed no resistance (just checking continuity).
The belt is taut and does not appear frayed or worn (I can still read the writing on it and can feel the ribs on the inside). When I turn the drum by hand the motor and belt move with it.
Suggestions?
Thanks,
Mike
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 5/23/2011(UTC) Posts: 7
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I read some other posts and can add that I was able to turn the drum by hand before I cracked the whole thing open. I saw a post that indicated that meant the motor has gone bad. On the other hand I have also read that checking continuity on either end of the connection to the wiring harness should read 0 if the motor is OK and mine does. I also checked ground to each end and also got 0 continuity.
Mike
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 5/23/2011(UTC) Posts: 7
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OK, I think I figured out that it IS a bad motor. When I set my meter to check continuity and put it on either end of the motor's connection I get NO reading on the meter = NO continuity (if I touch the meter's leads together I get a reading = continuity).
Sorry to be a bit dense, I rarely use my meter.
So, I think I have a bad motor. Anyone want to weigh in?
Thanks,
Mike
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Senior Expert, Administrators Joined: 7/19/2007(UTC) Posts: 27,455
Was thanked: 4 time(s) in 4 post(s)
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Mike, I believe the motor is the culprit and there are two things from your posts which prove it: "...I was able to turn the drum by hand before I cracked the whole thing open..." and "...I get NO reading on the meter = NO continuity...". - The motor Part number: AP3094245
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Rank: Member
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Joined: 5/23/2011(UTC) Posts: 7
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Gene,
Thank you very much. Now I get to figure out how to extract the old one while I'm waiting on the new one from AppliancePartsPros!
I am thankful that we live in an age where everyone has a digital camera. That way I can have pictures of what it looked like before I started monkeying with it.
Mike
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Senior Expert, Administrators Joined: 7/19/2007(UTC) Posts: 27,455
Was thanked: 4 time(s) in 4 post(s)
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Mike, Attached to this post you will find the Service Manual. Your dryer is a bit different but all major steps are the same. Don't rush with tearing apart the dryer. It's better to do it when you will have the new motor in hands. Gene.
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/23/2011(UTC) Posts: 7
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Gene,
Thanks for the service manual. With my son's help I managed to get the dryer open and the motors switched. To my dismay the drum still doesn't turn. I thought the problem was with the belt that had slipped off of the tension wheel but once I got that back on it still wouldn't work. Out of curiosity I removed the drum and plugged the door switch back in, plugged it in and the motor doesn't turn at all.
WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?
The motor is in correctly, the tabs line up and the clips hold it in place. There is only one way to connect the wiring harness. I had already checked the door switch and on button and they registered continuity when closed on my tester.
sigh...
Thanks,
Mike
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/23/2011(UTC) Posts: 7
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Could the timer be the problem? I'm not sure how to test it but it seems to be the only other part that would control the motor. I had assumed it was fully functional because the heating element comes on when I turn it on, but the drum still doesn't turn after putting a new motor in.
Any tips on how I could test the timer as it relates to turning the motor on and off?
Thanks,
Mike
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/23/2011(UTC) Posts: 7
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PROBLEM SOLVED!
It was the thermal fuse. Nothing I read re troubleshooting a dryer with a drum that doesn't turn mentioned this and I assumed anything to do with heat / temp was OK as the coils were heating.
So, the lesson I learned is TEST EVERYTHING that I can.
Mike
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