I wanted to include all the details, so forgive if I go at length here; I have an unusual circuit on this model TEDS680EQ0, Note the 0 at the end, the very first of this model, and boy is it different.

The push to start relay shown as a replacement part is Whirlpool 3398096 Relay, Push to Start - AppliancePartsPros.com a simple relay, in fact, it looks like a momentary switch with only two wires.

My unit, on the other hand, (image below) has an additional coupling which appears to need power to activate the relay because the relay clicks when pushed and the door is closed, and once clicked, will not click again until the door is cycled open/closed again. The extra wires appear to connect to the thermal fuse (Blue1) (tested: closed), Under near motor (Blue2 untested), and the Dryer Cycling Thermostat (Pink) (1.37kΩ which I guess could be called closed, sort of)



I'm thinking that the replacement part listed won't work and could be a safety issue even if it did work, I presume the current relay's power comes from the thermal fuse (the exit goes into the bottom of the appliance where the motor and such are and appears to return to the starter relay?!), and the Pink to the Dryer Cycling Thermostat and didn't follow the other half. If any don't work, the starter won't start... but I do hear it click. So, pink is power to the relay magnet, and the thermal fuse wired in series with the door to supply the engage power for the starter relay, allowing the front momentary switch to engage the relay to start run time.

The timer was getting intermittent, and we would sometimes have to nudge the cycle forward to find a sweet spot that would allow the machine to start; so, I'm thinking timer, maybe. But, would like to rule out the starter relay switch as it was intermittent also.

So, because the Starter relay/switch was intermittent; I'm wondering is if there is any way to test this relay without power applied to the machine. I could do this if necessary. I'd be cautious, use probes only. Here's the starter switch behavior: When I set the timer, start or mid cycle,timer motor running or not, the start relay gives an audible 'click', it always does this (relay engaged) before but sometimes wouldn't start unless we either pushed it several times. , or nudged the cycle timer forward to try again, or sometimes cycled the door to disengage the relay and re-engage. So I hear the relay working (click), but don't know if the start circuit is closing or not.

So, to rephrase, I can hear the timer running when it is positioned in mid cycle. At the start of a cycle, any cycle, the timer motor doesn't kick in after I push the start. In mid cycle, I can hear the timer motor; but, the start relay does not start the drum motor.

I'm thinking I need to replace the timer, and the starter relay; but, considering the way the starter relay has extra wiring, and the way it's wired to safety switches and fuses, I'm not sure how to proceed. This thing is so old; I'd hate to buy a timer and figure out the starter switch to find it's something else.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hello Cyberchipz. The start switch in question is a 5 terminal switch. It will work for the model number you provided. It sounds like your issue does revolve around the timer on the unit. However, the next time it does not start, try taping the door switch closed and turn the drum by hand while pressing the switch. If it starts and runs, then you may have a motor issue. 3398096 is the correct start switch for the unit.
Part number: AP3037944