Kitchen Gas Appliances - Kenmore Gas Dryer will not stay on

I have a Kenmore series 90 Gas Dryer about 3 years old(?). It will turn on and run for 10-15 minutes and then auto shut off. Then it needs to rest (cool down?) for an hour or so and then it can be turned on again. I looked at the Gas Dryer Help Information and did not see anything on "works for a little while"

I examined the High-Limit 205F Thermostat with an ohm meter and it shows no resistance when the dryer is off/unplugged. Same for the Internal Bias Thermostat. Any suggestions on things to check/replace would be helpful.

Thanks

Hello Jerry and Welcome to the Do It Yourself Web Site and my Gas Appliances topic.

First place to check is for a restricted venting system. Very likely the exhaust vent line is clogged and or restricted with excess lint. If the line is plastic venting, replace it. If metal tubing, clean using a dryer vent cleaning brush, which can be purchased at any local appliance part store in the area.

Remove the exhaust line from the back of the dryer and run a test load. Note how the machine works. You should clean out any lint found in the vent tube inside the machine when removing the vent line.

Cover the sheet metal exhaust with a ladies hosery socking or some such cloth to capture any lint inside the machine when it is first turned on. Saves on clean up time when the machine turns on and blows out lint inside the machines internal venting system.

The exhaust vent tube is located behind or to the side of the dryer. It needs to be removed totally from both the dryer side and the out side vent hood to completely clear out the lint.

Check the entire venting system. This also includes the exhaust vent hood outside. It has a flapper that may not be opening fully or not at all. Locate any restriction within the entire exhaust system and clean out all lint. Replace exhaust vent tubing as needed or if needed.

Dryer Help Info: http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?t=159481

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Thank you for the suggestion, I checked and cleaned the exhast piping and there was no lint blokage. I took off the front casing of the blower and cleaned out any lint there. I noticed a white coating all over the insides of the internal vent and blower. This took a rag to clean off (air was not strong enough), this goo may have been drywall dust that got in the system over the last couple of years from other projects. I used the rag to wipe off the Internal Bias thermostat. Note: I made a mistake in my original post, I measured continuity of the Radiant Sensor and the High Limit Thermostat not the Internal Bias thermostat. The Thermal fuse is still good.

New detail on symptoms. In between the dryer working for a few minutes, I can hold the start button down and see the igniter start, flames burn for a bit but the dryer does not spin. After a few seconds the gas kicks off and the start button does nothing for a while.

Noticed that when I select any drying mode that involves heat, I at least get a cliking noise when I hit the start button. When I select Air-Dry and press the start button, nothing. If that means anything.

Thanks for any ideas.
Jerry

Hello: Jerry

You mentioned the drum does not rotate (spin) when pressing the start button. You have to determine why. If the drum does not rotate, no air flow will pass through the burner chamber and the radiant sensor will shut the burner off to prevent over heating.

You also mentioned "In between the dryer working for a few minutes". The dryer is not working for a few minutes if the drum does not rotate. Drum not rotating but the burner comes on cause the flame sensor to shut the burner off, as mentioned in the first paragraph.

Confusing and conflicting statements creating doubts about the correct symptoms.... :confused: Kindly clarify.

If the machine has a touch pad control, the touch pad or the computer controlled circuit board can be the direct cause of the problem. Check with the local appliance parts stores for problem causes and needed replacement parts to correct the problem. Appliance parts stores are listed in the phone book.

Sears Home Page:
http://www.sears.com

Sears Search By Model Number Page:
http://www3.sears.com

Whirlpool's Home Web Site: (Also makes appliances for Sears)
http://www.whirlpool.com

Web Site Host, Forums Monitor, Gas Appliances Topic Moderator & Multiple Forums Moderator. Energy Conservation Consultant & Natural Gas Appliance Diagnostics Technician.

Personal Reminder:
Buckle Up & Drive Safely.
"The Life You Save, May Be Your Own."