The dryer started by not running it's full cycle. It would shut off and smelled hot. I took it apart and the entire inside was caked with lint. Not good. It's been in this home for 6 years. I then looked at the vent pipe and it needed cleaned. Not horrible, but it needed to be cleaned. I did that and put it back together. Ran it and now won't get the clothes dry in a cycle. It will now RUN the full cycle, but won't get them dry. I have a thermo gun and it does seem to cycle between 120-155 degrees. Up and down. Note, I am NOT overloading the dryer. I've even used a very small load with the same results. I took it back apart and ran continuity between the two thermostats on the heating element and they are fine. There is a thermoistor (sp) on the back. I ran continuity through the wiring harness and got nothing. Not sure if that's a 'real' test, though, as I went though the harness unlike how I did on the tstats, where I am on the wiring prongs of the actual tstat.

I'm at a loss. It's now clean - all the way from the inside of the machine, out the house through the vent pipe. The tstats test fine, sans that thermoistor. But, did I test that right? Would it even have an impact on my situation?

The rest of the story? There are 10-12 years' old and we use them every day. Sometimes twice a day. So, we've used them well. If I have to replace the dryer, I'll get a washer, too. I don't think it makes sense to have someone come out and 'fix' it given the age.

Look forward to any feedback. Thanks!

Edited by user Saturday, August 27, 2022 3:32:02 PM(UTC)  | Reason: clarification