I've recently noticed that our Kenmore dryer's heating element will come on
when the dial is turned to set the drying time, but before the "start"
button is pushed. In other words, If I set the timer to 40 minutes or
whatever and walked away without pushing start, the heating element would
continue to be on indefinitely.

The dryer has no problems shutting down after a cycle, but it seems unsafe
to have the heating element going if you set the time, but for some reason
do not start the dryer.

My questions, a Is this a normal operation (we no longer have the
Manual)? If this is a broken state, is it repairable?

Thanks!

--
Dave

I really don't mean to be rude, and I agree that it's strange that a
heating element would run without the dryer running, but why would you
start the timer without starting the dryer? If you're concerned about
someone else doing this, you could tape a note beside the timer.
I know the timer on my dryer runs before I press start - I'm not sure
about the heating element.
Andy

Airkings wrote:
I've recently noticed that our Kenmore dryer's heating element will come on
when the dial is turned to set the drying time, but before the "start"
button is pushed. In other words, If I set the timer to 40 minutes or
whatever and walked away without pushing start, the heating element would
continue to be on indefinitely.

The heating element coil is most likely touching the grounded metal
enclosure and running on 120 volts. It's a potentially dangerous
situation; replace the coil.

http://fixitnow.com/

http://fixitnow.com/

ummmm..........fix your website now, nothing happens when a repair category
is clicked on

i had similar problem with a Maytag-element stayed on.

other poster was correct. the element is shorted against metal. replacing
element fixed it for me.
"Airkings" wrote in message
ink.net...
I've recently noticed that our Kenmore dryer's heating element will come on
when the dial is turned to set the drying time, but before the "start"
button is pushed. In other words, If I set the timer to 40 minutes or
whatever and walked away without pushing start, the heating element would
continue to be on indefinitely.

The dryer has no problems shutting down after a cycle, but it seems unsafe
to have the heating element going if you set the time, but for some reason
do not start the dryer.

My questions, a Is this a normal operation (we no longer have the
Manual)? If this is a broken state, is it repairable?

Thanks!

--
Dave

wrote in message
oups.com...
:I really don't mean to be rude, and I agree that it's strange
that a
: heating element would run without the dryer running, but why
would you
: start the timer without starting the dryer? If you're
concerned about
: someone else doing this, you could tape a note beside the
timer.
: I know the timer on my dryer runs before I press start - I'm
not sure
: about the heating element.
: Andy
:
Blah! Are you for real? Haven't you ever been distracted by
some event that takes you immediately away from whatever your'e
doing? Crack, thump, the kid's screaming bloody murder and you
run to see what's wrong, take him to hospital, whatever?

Don't tell me you'd NEVER set the timer without starting the
drier.

Pop

No, it shouldn't be on without the dryer running; I'm pretty
positive of that much.

I didn't know they could be shorted to nearby metal and make them
come on, but it sounds like at least a couple of the posters have
experienced it. Interesting scenario, to say the least.

It's also possible that one of the timer switches has gone
haywire somehow, which is a real pain for DIY, so changing the
element, which is pretty cheap, relatively speaking, is probably
the right thing to do, I agree.

Careful: If something's shorting somehow, you could get a
surprise working on it g. 220 wiring is "strange" if you're
not experienced with it.

HTH,

Pop


"Airkings" wrote in message
ink.net...
: I've recently noticed that our Kenmore dryer's heating element
will come on
: when the dial is turned to set the drying time, but before the
"start"
: button is pushed. In other words, If I set the timer to 40
minutes or
: whatever and walked away without pushing start, the heating
element would
: continue to be on indefinitely.
:
: The dryer has no problems shutting down after a cycle, but it
seems unsafe
: to have the heating element going if you set the time, but for
some reason
: do not start the dryer.
:
: My questions, a Is this a normal operation (we no longer
have the
: Manual)? If this is a broken state, is it repairable?
:
: Thanks!
:
: --
: Dave
:
:

On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 18:01:54 GMT, "Pop"
wrote:

No, it shouldn't be on without the dryer running; I'm pretty
positive of that much.

I didn't know they could be shorted to nearby metal and make them
come on, but it sounds like at least a couple of the posters have
experienced it. Interesting scenario, to say the least.

It's also possible that one of the timer switches has gone
haywire somehow, which is a real pain for DIY, so changing the
element, which is pretty cheap, relatively speaking, is probably
the right thing to do, I agree.

If there is any doubt, one ougght to be able to test with a meter,
rather than just replace things. If the *element* is shorted to a
ground, after one removes the elephant, I mean element, between the
two connectors TO the element, there should not be any voltage in the
situation the OP specified. If there is voltage, a shorted element
is likely not the problem, and replacing the element won't end the
flow of current.

Further, one should look closely at the element before remvoing it.
Where is it shorted? Cannot it be moved by bending a bracket or
something? If the posters who had this problem mean that it is
shorted internally, check with a meter, between the cover and each
lead, to see if it is shorted.

A repairman can install something and iiuc, can remove it and not
charge for it if it doesn't help, and return it or keep it until
someone else needs it. A homeowner may have to wait forever before
his dryer needs a part he bought but didn't need to buy.

Listen to Click and Clack talk about guessing about what part needs to
be replaced, when testing can show whether they do or not..



Careful: If something's shorting somehow, you could get a
surprise working on it g. 220 wiring is "strange" if you're
not experienced with it.

HTH,

Pop


"Airkings" wrote in message
link.net...
: I've recently noticed that our Kenmore dryer's heating element
will come on
: when the dial is turned to set the drying time, but before the
"start"
: button is pushed. In other words, If I set the timer to 40
minutes or
: whatever and walked away without pushing start, the heating
element would
: continue to be on indefinitely.
:
: The dryer has no problems shutting down after a cycle, but it
seems unsafe
: to have the heating element going if you set the time, but for
some reason
: do not start the dryer.
:
: My questions, a Is this a normal operation (we no longer
have the
: Manual)? If this is a broken state, is it repairable?
:
: Thanks!
:
: --
: Dave
:
:



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