Kenmore dryer hums - won't start

[jmkyle]

My Sears Kenmore Advantage gas dryer (Model 72841) will not start. It simply hums when the start knob is pushed. I'm fairly handy, not exactly crazy about disconnecting the gas line but will if I have to.

Is this something I might be able to diagnose and fix myself?

Any ideas?

Many thanks, JMKyle

[LazyPup]

Begin by disconnecting the power plug.

In your post you state you hear a humming sound but the drier is not starting, so from that i would consider looking for the most obvious problem first. Perhaps the humming sound you are hearing is actually the normal motor noise, and the drier is not working because the drive belt is either broken or off the pulley.

To check the belt see illustration.


Grip the belt and pull on it. If it is loose or broken you will have to remove the front panel of the drier to access the motor drive assembly.

on the inside top part of the front panel you should find a mounting screw on either side. Remove the screw and the front panel will swing out slightly, then pull upwards on the panel and it should come off.

Set the front panel aside and look under the drum, you will see the motor and drive tension spring idler. Check the belt and insure it is not broken and it is in its proper place over the motor drive pulley and idler tension spring.

If the belt and drive is okay the problem is either a defective "start" button, a loose wire, or a problem with the motor start winding.