Kenmore Series 70 Electric Dryer 110.66722694 - Multiple Issues

[jeffgeiger]

I have a Series 70 dryer that came with my house when I bought it.  For 5 years, it's been a workhorse with no issues.  All of a sudden, it's come up lame.  A few days ago, we noticed that it had a rougher, almost grinding sound when it ran.  Just a shade louder, but less "healthy" sounding for an electric motor.  This weekend, as we started the mass onslaught of family laundry, it started failing on us.  First and foremost, it doesn't seem to keep the heat going through the cycle. (Cold, damp laundry.)  Also, if we run loads back to back, the start button will make the motor buzz, but it will stop as soon as you let it go.  My wife was trying this over and over and got it to run, but it promptly quit (zero response to buttons) and we had a hot electrical smell in the room.  I spent my free time yesterday and today reading forums and checking items on the dryer.  Nothing seems to fit exactly so I thought I would throw myself upon the mercy of those wiser than myself.  Here are my findings so far:

I used these as my guide:



Multimeter readings (using numbers from above picture):
1: 200ohm setting: 0
2: 200ohm setting: 0
3: 200ohm setting: 3-4.5 (depending on how well I seat the probes)
4: 200ohm setting: 0 across red wire terminals
   20Kohm setting: 6.84 across violet terminals               
5: 200ohm setting: 0
Resistor (orange wire from timer switch to heater): 20Kohm setting: 5.04

Nothing referenced it, but I opened the panel behind the switches.  When I looked in there, there was a resistor that was on a line between the timer knob and the heating element that look pretty fried:

But, it reads pretty close to 5K ohms, where the wiring diagram says it should be.  Still, it probably shouldn't be scorched.

In summary:
Not always finishing cycles (stopping mid cycle or cold, damp laundry at the end.)
Occasional failure to start. (Hold the button, buzz, release the button, dies.)
Occasionally completely unresponsive.

What do you make of that?

[Washaman]

Replace motor. Clean entire machine of lint and debris.

[Washaman]

Fix wire too, of coarse.

[AJ]

I agree, here is the motor for your model dryer if you need to order it.


WHIRLPOOL 279827 Dryer Drive Motor, AP3094245




This video shows step-by-step instructions on replacing the drive motor on Whirlpool, Kenmore, Sears, Maytag, and Amana dryers.

 

[Washaman]

Before you order a motor remove the blower wheel to make sure it comes off. If doesn't then you'll have to order that with the motor.

[AJ]

Yes, they can be hard to get off at times. Left handed threads too.

WHIRLPOOL 694089 Blower Wheel, AP2997251

[Washaman]

One more tip when removing the blower wheel. Where gloves! The housing is sharp if your hands slip the wrong way. When I have ones that are stuck I grab my claw hammer and bust the plastic up until I am left with a square end. The square will fit through the hole. 

[Washaman]

* Wear 

[AJ]

Gloves are a good idea.

Also when using a adjustable wrench on the blower wheel as shown in the video make sure it's adjusted so it's a good tight fit the first time. I adjust the wrench so I have to tap it on with my hammer. Then I put a locking vise grip on the other end of the motor shaft so it holds itself from spinning. Then with my dead blow hammer I give the handle on the adjustable wrench a good rap.

If the adjustable wrench is to loose it will easily round the square end of the blower wheel and then it just gets worse from there.

[jeffgeiger]

I got a motor from a local appliance parts place, but they had to order the resistor.  I also ended up getting a blower wheel because I had to take a chisel and hammer to the old one to get it out.  (Quite cathartic, actually.) 


I don't want to run a full cycle with the burned up resistor, but thus far, it seems way quieter than it's ever been since I've owned it.  I'm really glad I took off the exhaust duct because the opening by the blower was about 75% blocked.

Before:


After:


I'll report back as soon as I have the resistor in and run it through a full cycle. 

Thanks to both of you.  You're awesome!   

[AJ]

That's awesome, great photos!

Thanks for posting.   

[Washaman]

Oh yeah, Hamma Time!