Kenmore Dryer doesn’t stay on. If I start it after letting it sit for awhile, it turns off after just a few minutes (2-4 mins). If I then immediately re-try, or if I only wait a minute or two before trying again, it turns off fairly quickly, usually immediately after I let go of the starter button. If I leave the starter button pressed, the dryer runs, and the heating element turns on and off just fine (I could see the glow from it), but once I let go of the starter button, it turns off.
I scanned my electric wiring diagram but this forum software keeps bleeping out the "image shack" part of the url. It is at (remove the spaces) http : // img140. image shack .us/img140/5429/kenmoredryerschematic.jpg
I’m guessing it is around 5 years old, but I don’t really know because I bought it used a few years ago.
Please check it against the one that came with the unit, just to be sure we are both looking at the same thing.
On the wiring diagram you will see one of the motor’s centrifugal switches 5M/6M.
This switch closes once the motor gets close to operating speed.
It disconnects the start winding so that the motor does not overheat
It also provides a circuit path to the run winding when the start switch is released.
It is in parallel with the start switch.
Could be:
The switch is toast
The mechanical actuator on the motor is jammed or broken.
The motor is clogged solid with lint and the actuator is not working.
A wire is off or broken going to this switch.
Note: If the switch is toast or the actuator broken you usually have to purchase a new motor. Only very old units let you replace just the switches.