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Centrifugal switch on Kenmore dryer motor

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Centrifugal switch on Kenmore dryer motor sargenke 07-02-2007
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Posted by sargenke on July 2, 2007, 1:37 pm
Using all the helpful hints I could find on the subject of "Dryer not
heating" and checking out all other components it is looking like the
centrifugal switch on the motor may be the culprit. Can anyone tell me how
to test it? I assume the motor has to be running. Do I take the drum out,
remove the belt and let the motor run? I'm assuming that there should be a
wire to the heater element that should show voltage only when the motor is
running? I'm also guessing that it will only be 120V at the motor. I don't
have any diagrams, so if anyone can tell me how to locate the right wire, I
will be really grateful. As you can probably see, I'm working at the upper
limit of my ability. Unfortunately, I just put a bunch of money in this
machine because it is less than 4 yrs old. If I had known that I would have
a different problem just a month later ...... well, you all know what I'm
saying. Thanks to all. What a great, helpful site!

Ken


Posted by Eric9822 on July 2, 2007, 1:56 pm
> Using all the helpful hints I could find on the subject of "Dryer not
> heating" and checking out all other components it is looking like the
> centrifugal switch on the motor may be the culprit. Can anyone tell me how
> to test it? I assume the motor has to be running. Do I take the drum out,
> remove the belt and let the motor run? I'm assuming that there should be a
> wire to the heater element that should show voltage only when the motor is
> running? I'm also guessing that it will only be 120V at the motor. I don't
> have any diagrams, so if anyone can tell me how to locate the right wire, I
> will be really grateful. As you can probably see, I'm working at the upper
> limit of my ability. Unfortunately, I just put a bunch of money in this
> machine because it is less than 4 yrs old. If I had known that I would have
> a different problem just a month later ...... well, you all know what I'm
> saying. Thanks to all. What a great, helpful site!
>
> Ken

Ken,

Are you sure there is no schematic in the machine? I have always
found one tucked somewhere in the unit usually in the top part where
the controls are located. It's going to be difficult describing what
to look for without specific information on the dryer. Check sears
parts website and see if you can at least find a parts breakdown of
the dryer, it may lead you in the right direction.


Posted by sargenke via HomeKB.com on July 2, 2007, 5:11 pm
Eric,

Thanks for your response. I'm at work and the machine is at home, but I'll
give it another look. I have checked the Sears site. Unfortunately, their
diagrams are not very detailed and somewhat generic. They show a "motor-
drive" and a "switch-motor". I guess that is good, since I read one place
that the switches are sometimes built into the motors and you have to replace
the motor it the switch goes bad. If I find a schematic, how do I test? Do
I remove the drum and belt and test the wires leading out of the motor to the
heater element? Even if the switch is built in, there should be some wires
leading to the element, right? With the motor running, I should detect 120V
along that wire, right? If not, is the switch bad? Any advise will be
appreciated.

Ken

Eric9822 wrote:
>> Using all the helpful hints I could find on the subject of "Dryer not
>> heating" and checking out all other components it is looking like the
>[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>>
>> Ken
>
>Ken,
>
>Are you sure there is no schematic in the machine? I have always
>found one tucked somewhere in the unit usually in the top part where
>the controls are located. It's going to be difficult describing what
>to look for without specific information on the dryer. Check sears
>parts website and see if you can at least find a parts breakdown of
>the dryer, it may lead you in the right direction.

--
Message posted via HomeKB.com
http://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/repair/200707/1


Posted by Eric9822 on July 2, 2007, 11:46 pm
> Eric,
>
> Thanks for your response. I'm at work and the machine is at home, but I'll
> give it another look. I have checked the Sears site. Unfortunately, their
> diagrams are not very detailed and somewhat generic. They show a "motor-
> drive" and a "switch-motor". I guess that is good, since I read one place
> that the switches are sometimes built into the motors and you have to replace
> the motor it the switch goes bad. If I find a schematic, how do I test? Do
> I remove the drum and belt and test the wires leading out of the motor to the
> heater element? Even if the switch is built in, there should be some wires
> leading to the element, right? With the motor running, I should detect 120V
> along that wire, right? If not, is the switch bad? Any advise will be
> appreciated.
>
> Ken
>
> Eric9822 wrote:
> >> Using all the helpful hints I could find on the subject of "Dryer not
> >> heating" and checking out all other components it is looking like the
> >[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> >> Ken
>
> >Ken,
>
> >Are you sure there is no schematic in the machine? I have always
> >found one tucked somewhere in the unit usually in the top part where
> >the controls are located. It's going to be difficult describing what
> >to look for without specific information on the dryer. Check sears
> >parts website and see if you can at least find a parts breakdown of
> >the dryer, it may lead you in the right direction.
>
> --
> Message posted via
HomeKB.comhttp://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/repair/200707/1

Ken,

It's hard to say without seeing a schematic. Without finding one or
creating one by tracing things out, you are working blind. There are
many things that can cause the issue you are having. Checking a
switch is best done when the switch is de-energized, out of the
circuit, manually activated, using a continuity tester. This may or
may not be possible with the appliance you have. If you are working
at the upper limit of your capability be very careful poking around
energized components.


Posted by John Keiser on July 2, 2007, 11:46 pm
The centrifigal switch typically controls the motor start capacitor. If the
motor runs but the dryer does not heat, I would look elsewhere. I.e., there
are usually several thermostats which can fail, preventing power to the
heating element. A simple VOM test will find the problem.

--
Remove -NOSPAM- to contact me.



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