Sears Kenmore Dryer thermal fuse blows frequently

[garydecker]

Sears Kenmore Dryer Mod # 11096273100

I have changed three thermal fuses and am on my fourth (3392519). First time I cleaned the vents and the dryer . The vents were starting to plug up. My wife ran several loads and the second Thermal fuse blew.
Changed the Thermal fuse again and installed Thermal Fuse Kit 279769. Thermal fuse blew again after one load of clothes.

Talked to a paid on line Kenmore specialist who told me to change the drive motor. I changed the motor and the Thermal Fuse. Ran a load of towels and the fuse blew again. I have a new fuse and new bias Thermostat (3387134) but have not installed them yet. I used my VOM to check the old Themostat. Got continuity between the large leads and 7000 ohms btween the smaller leads. I expected about 300 ohms and ordered a replacement. The replacement had the same read out. I have no temp adjustable frying pan and cannot do a functional test.

We are limping along by doing small loads for no more than 15 minutes. Light materials dry quickly towels and blue jeans are still damp. This technique has been used for three loads. Clothes feel very hot and seem to dry quicker than before this problem started. Should I install the Bias Thermostat ? What should I do next?

Thanks,

[haroldsappliance]

Check with an ohm meter that your heat element is not shorted to ground. Remove the wire connectors when making this test. Go outside and make sure you have good air flow.

[JWWebster]

Go ahead and change that bias thermostat. It might have continuity but the innards are wank. It will not shut down as fast as it should. The 2 large terminals on it carry the heat load current. The 2 smaller wires come down from the timer and operate a small heating element inside the stat. This causes the stat to shut down faster for knits and perm press. Overtime the bimetal stiffens up and won't shut down as fast as it should and this causes the overheating. Seen it. If your filter chute is clean and your vent to outside is clear then your control thermostat mounted on the blower housing is bad and in need of replacement. Changing out the motor because of an overheat problem is pretty lame advice. My opinion.