[BBailie]

My Kenmore dryer, model 110.669 12691, is 10 years old. It has an intermittent problem starting, and does not stay running long enough to overheat.

Starting is a problem if the load is too heavy (two wet towels, say.)

When I activate the timer it does tick. When I press start, the motor hums loudly, and either starts the drum turning or fails to start. If it does not start immediately, I quickly turn the timer off, and repeat the above process.

Eventually, either the drum begins turning, or it seems to "time out" and it makes no noise when I press start until I leave it alone for a period of time (at least 15 minutes).

If I do get it running, it operates for about two minutes (or less). Before it stops, there is a gradually louder electric-sounding hum.

After it stops itself, the timer is still ticking. If I don't turn the timer off, after a few minutes, the dryer makes the hum as if it is trying to start without my pressing the start button.

I phoned Sears parts & service and spoke to a rep (not a technician) who said it sounded like I should replace the timer. Before I spend $140 I wanted to get a little better information. Any advice?

Thanks.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

From what you are saying it sounds like something is binding the drum.

You should be able to do more than two towels.

I would have a look at the drum rollers and motor idler pulley.