Put the dryer timer on the TIMED DRY cycle, Does it move on this cycle? If it does, Pull it apart and check the heating element, I'll bet that 1/2 of the element is broken!!!:)

Hello, I have a GE DWXR473ET electric dryer that has simple and all mechanical switches/controls with no humidity sensor or any complicated electronics, etc. The only problem it recently started having is that the timer won't run for the 2 automatic drying functions. So if the main function switch is at the position for automatic cotton drying cycle, the dryer will just keep running nonstop till I turn the switch to interrupt it. However, it runs great for both "Extra Care" and the "Timed Dry" operations. All other switches and internal thermal switches have been tested functional. I even replaced the main function selector / timer switch and it didn’t fix the problem. So that might indicate that the problem is not with the timer itself (which I had considered to be the main culprit). I just cannot imagine what else can be defective to cause the problem. I wonder if you could give me some advice as to what might cause the problem so I can buy the right part. Any suggestions or opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.