My dryer will run if I am constantly pushing the button. Once I let my finger off the button the dryer stops. We did have a problem in the near past concerning the door latch. The door latch has a small plastic piece on it that broke off. I called an appliance repair company and they replaced the complete door latch. The door seems to be closing properly but do you think this has something to do with the dryer only running when I press and hold the start button? My dryer is a Whirlpool that is about 2 years old and a smaller style for small areas. Basically, you set the time, heat, then press the button. Also, the lint screen, lint vent hose, and the wall are clean of lint. Please give suggestions to fix my problem.
Clothes Dryer Will Not Stay On After Pushing Start Button
The thermal fuse is the first most likely reason. When a dryer gets too hot, the thermal fuse pops. This is because of heavy lint build up and this makes it so the heat cannot escape the dryer. The thermal fuse is there for a safety measure so a fire does not start. The thermal fuse is at the back of your dryer. It is about 10 bucks to replace. Check it with a meter to see if it is popped.
The second condition that may be causing your problem is the door latch or door sensor. If the door latch is faulty, the dryer may think the door is NOT closed therefore it won’t turn on. Some dryers will run with a bad door latch or sensor only when you press and HOLD the start button. Check the door latch/sensor visually. Do you see anything broken, loose, or missing? If not, unplug the dryer and remove the door latch assembly. Test it with a meter to see if it is in working order. Check wires that go to the door latch too.
CLOTHES DRYER REPLACEMENT PARTS
The third condition that may cause a dryer to run only when the start button is constantly pushed in is the start button itself. Some start buttons are built and function different in certain dryers. The start button on your dryer may be faulty and that is why you have to constantly keep it pressed in for it to run. Check the dryer start button, some may have small springs on them and if this spring falls off you will have to keep the button pressed for it to run.
If the thermal fuse is not popped, the door latch is working, and the button is working properly, the next 4th thing to look for is a bad wiring harness. A wiring harness could be loose or damaged. Start following the wires behind the control panel and outward to all components from there. If needed, find your dryers wiring diagram online to see where all the wires go and what may be causing your issue.
Kenmore Whirlpool Dryer Won’t Start – Easy Fix
Do you have another possible reason a dryer will ONLY run by keeping the start button pressed in? Please leave a comment below to assist our other readers.
If you’re in north America, It probably isn’t a thermal fuse.
I professionally repair dryers, and have for 3 years.
If your thermal fuses fail, one of 2 failure conditions present itself…
1. Power to control, but no power to the unit, so no start, but lights up.
2. Dryer functions fine, but has no heat.
The possible causes I know of, and I know I’m missing at least one, because I came here looking for it. It can be a broken belt switch, a door switch, a start button itself, a wiring harness, or finally the motor.
The centrifugal switch in the motor is the most likely culprit in this circumstance, so you’d need a motor.
As far as testing it, if you can pin out the centrifugal switch on the motor connections and test it for continuity as you actuate it by hand.
That tests it for electrical function, but not mechanical function.
For mechanical testing you can listen for it as you release the button.
You should hear it spin, gear down and you should hear a solid, but faint click as it almost stops.
That’s your centrifugal switch actuating back into place.
Sadly this test isn’t 100% reliable, as sometimes it’ll mostly actuate, and still click, but not close the gap it needs to.
When you push the start button are you suppose to see a spark. When I push the start button I see a spark. It runs about 10 seconds then stops.
it’s not the fuse but the switch next to the motor, it resets itself once you unplug it and plug it back. but the issue will come back again if you don’t replace it.
We had this problem; Kenmore Elite electric dryer. My husband took it all apart, tested the fuse, which was ok. He was getting ready to do another test (swapping motor and heat relays) but first put the fuse back in. Luckily he tested it then, because it worked perfectly! Apparently taking the fuse out and putting it back fixed it – must have been a loose connection…