[mom K]

My dryer won't turn off - it drys fine but if I don't catch it it will run thru all the cycles and keep running? Will it hurt to keep using it but just keep an extra eye on the amount of time the clothes are in the dryer? If the repair will cost too much I'd probably opt for a new dryer? Thank you for any suggestions! Mom K

[bettyboop]

Look for a small flat black plastic thing screwed inside the control pannel, with 2 wires pluged onto it. It is a resistor that lets the timer stop at the end of it's cycle.
Sometimes they wear out and must be replaced, they are enexpensive, just locate it and purchase a new one. They come in different shapes from model years. some are 2 inches long and narrow, with a wire connected to each end.
some are like a flat dounut with 2 wires, others are a white cermac thing with 2 wires. the newest in the last 6 yrs or so are connected in the middle of the wiring
harness with shrink wrapping over it. To test use an ohm meter, a good one will show about 4.6 ohms. if nothing, replace and dryer will stop on time Bettyboop

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

The resistor should be 4.7K ohms, not 4.6 ohms. But this is not your problem. Your problem is the contacts that feed power to the timer motor are fused shut. Pull the timer out and look for fuzed contacts, may need a new timer.

[eric shubert]

I have replaced many of the push to start switches on this type of dryer because the contacts get fused together

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

I have never seen a shorted start switch, but I guess with the new stuff anything is possible.

[bettyboop]

I've replaced may be5 or 6 this year, with the contacts welded together Bettyboop

[WilliamJ3298]

the push-to-start switch was my problem exactly. dryer (kenmore) would run continuously from cycle to cycle. had to open the door to stop it. contacts in switch were fused together. new switch at sears, ~$7. mike