Whirlpool Dryer Stops Tumbling Mid Cycle

[zuker88]

Model Number: LE5530xsw0


Having a problem with my Whirlpool Dryer.  After filling it with clothes and starting a drying cycle the motor will make an electrical sound (like a shorting sound???) for a few seconds and then the drum will stop rotating.  This usually happens after the dryer has been running for ten to fifteen minutes.  As little as six months ago I replaced the thermostats for the heating element.  I am assuming the motor or the motor thermal switch.  Can anyone shed some light on this.  I have the dryer disassembled with the drum out and I have just finished cleaning out all the lint.  Now I am looking at the motor.  The motor shaft seems to spin freely by hand with no noticeable resistance or noises.  The rotating resistance is relative I suppose since I don't have a new motor to compare it to.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

[zuker88]

Forgot to add that I am able to restart the dryer after it stops spinning.  However, it will stop again after a few minutes.

[Repair-man]

I don't know just how much light I can shed on you all at once, but you might as well get that motor replaced. I've heard this story too many times now.

[JWWebster]

sadly, the motor might be bad but does the drum turn freely by hand? If it seems tough to turn it may be putting a strain on the motor. Maybe the idler, rollers and drum glide needs to be checked. Just a thought.

[zuker88]

Yes, the drum did spin freely when it was all together in one piece.  I could spin it by hand and did not feel any additional resistance.  The motor shaft seems to spin freely as well.  The drum guides (rollers) both spin freely.  One has a fixed distance from the dryer housing and the other slides in and out about one inch but I think that is the way it is designed and not a sign of wear.  The belt tensioner (idler) also spins freely.  I did notice that at the front and back of the drum it actually rides on a felt ring.  There appears to be a bit more wear on the bottom side of the felt ring on the door than on the drum's felt ring.  I am assuming that these rings are replaceable.  Easy to replace?  Also, do they have a name or are they just called felt rings?  I also bought a multimeter last week so I can try and take some measurements at the thermostats and motor.  Any one have recommendations on what to measure and what I should be getting?  Thanks.

[JWWebster]

The felt usually helps keep the clothes in the drum. Nothing to do with operation.

[JWWebster]

Most likely a bad motor.

[Repair-man]

zuker...why are you resisting replacing that motor? We here have seen this scenario a thousand times already. You don't need a meter or anything else besides some new venting to prevent the new motor from going out any time soon.

Some guy on my forum last week was told the motor had a bad centrifugal switch. He was told to replace the motor.  What does he do? He  tinkers with the motor,epoxies in a spring which had broken on the centrifugal switch, reassembles the dryer, then comes back to ask why the motor is so loud now...

If we wanted you to do further investigative work, we will gladly suggest it. Most of us in the repair business understand the word "futile" from experience, so we can save you some hair-pulling.

[JWWebster]

The motor is fairly easy to replace

[zuker88]

Fair enough.  I will make some calls today and see if I can track down a new motor.  Prices online seemed to be around $80 - $90 for the motor.  Is that pretty average or will a local place charge more?  Thanks for all your help.

[AJ]

Prices online seemed to be around $80 - $90 for the motor.

Plus shipping?

Is that pretty average or will a local place charge more?

I'm going to guess around $135-$150 for a motor from a local dealer.

I will be curious to hear what you find for local prices, please let us know.

[JWWebster]

If they try and pull a fast one on you then tell them you found one on line for 80 bucks and show proof, they may match the price plus shipping. It pays to ask.