[russler01]

Dryer stopped, clothes were too hot to handle. Wouldn't turn back on. I have replaced the Thermal fuse, the Cycling thermostat, and the Heating element thermal cut-off & high-limit thermostat. The unit now runs again, but the element burns even when set on AIR ONLY!

What gives?? All the comments I have found on Overheating, suggest one of the 3 things I've replaced. BTW, the vent is clean! The parts diagram doesn't show anything else it could be, that I know of.

Can anyone suggest something?? I don't know what else to do to it!!
Thanks in advance for any help.

[kayakcrzy]

You know, people say there vent is clean, but as a service man, most of the times they are wrong. How about doing me a favor, and taking your vent hose of the back wall, and leaving it on the dryer end, and putting a panty hose on the end you took of the all, so no lint goes in the house, and run a cycle. Let me know how it goes. You can reach me at my website at ApplianceEducator.com Tom

[russler01]

Well, thats a lame reply. NO amount of lint in the vent is going to make the heat turn on when set to AIR ONLY! Believe me, the vent is clean, it was taken completely out!

Is there someone who can really offer a suggestion? One who isn't trying to drive business to their own wesite??

Thanks

[kayakcrzy]

OK, Big boy, hopefully this help will not be too lame for you. On your dryer on the control panel you have a temp switch, that could very well be your problem. But, let me ask you this. Turn the timer on, and don't hit the start swich, and then open the door to the dryer, and push the door switch buttom, and look inside, for a moment, and see if the element comes on. If so, when you replaced the element, it could be grounded against the element housing. If you have that heat switch on fluff. There is no over riding factor. The switch is either bad or the element is grounded. Check and let me know. PS big boy, I apoligize for misreading your problem, might not have had my morning coffee yet.Tom ApplianceEducator.com

[russler01]

Thank you Tom for a more explicit response. I did not replace the element. One thing though, after the thermal limit fuse blew & the dryer wouldn't run at all, you could set the timer to a running position, then when you turned the Temp Switch on the panel from AIR to HEAT, you could see the lights dim...so I assumed it was OK. I don't think the element is grounding out, but I will check that again as well. I'm out of town presently, so when I return in a couple of days, I'll get into it again. Thanks again for a more explicit answer...but my name isn't Big Boy!! LOL

[kayakcrzy]

Not a problem. Let me know. Tom

[russler01]

Tom, ok, back home. Element removed & it is not grounding...normal clearance between the housing & element. (and it doesn't come on with door open like you mentioned) On Air Only cycle, the element heats but very low temp...barely heats the air flowing out, but turn the heat switch to high, & it gets hotter as it should. Do you think the Heat Temp switch could be bad? In the past, when I tumbled clothes, it seems that they were totally cool when they came out, but I'm really not sure. Does AIR ONLY mean NO heat, or does it heat slightly?? I looked up the owners manual, but it's just basic info, nothing relating to the specific model.

Thanks again

[kayakcrzy]

Yes, I do believe that it would be the heat selector switch. Fluff means no heat at all. It really sound like the heat selector switch to me. They are reasonably cheap. Let me know how it goes. The part # is 8528330 Tom

[russler01]

Well Tom, guess what? Finally back home & replaced heat selector switch. Element STILL comes on when set to "Air Only." I'm about to pitch it on the street curb!! The only thing that hasn't been replaced is #3390537 Electronic Control which I'm assuming is the Auto-Dryness system. Would this or the #3976479 sensor pad cause the element to run on Air Only?

This dryer looks almost like it came from the store...we don't abuse things. Nor has it had heavy use...there's only 2 of us. It's just extremely exasperating to buy the better quality (not the lowest price in the line) & have it crap out in 4 years. I had an Amana which I bought in 1990, which I gave to my mom...it's STILL running after 18 years!!

I'm at witts end & about to go buy a new one. Please, ANY suggestions??

Thanks much.