Kenmore Dryer dries... but does not stop at the end of cycle

[santander]

Hello all.

I have a Kenmore dryer, model 96566200.
The heating element works. The dryer dries as expected. The timer knob spins as it should. The problem is that at the end of the cycle, it keeps on going into the next cycle. Basically, if the door is closed then the dryer is running.
This happened once about a year ago and mysteriously just went back to working correctly. Now it just started happening again.

Any thoughts?

I should probably note that it has a fairly new heating element as I replaced that about 2 or 3 years back.

Thanks,
Tony

[jeff1]

Hi,


The problem is that at the end of the cycle, it keeps on going into the next cycle.

Will the dryer start without pushing the start switch? If yes, check the push to start switch for being welded closed ( has continuity ) when it should be open ( no continuity ).
If ok, timer would be the prime suspect.

579 Push to start switch, 4 terminal Manufacturer Number 3395385 (http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=526865)

580 Timer assembly Manufacturer Number 3398190 (http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=2030)

jeff.

[thefixer]

Bad timer. Go ahead and check your start switch but even if it is stuck closed, the dryer will still shut off if timer is good. At end of cycle, timer contacts open the motor circuit and opens circuit that powers timer drive motor.

[santander]

Thanks so much for the rapid responses.

Jeff's questions reminded me that I do need to replace the "push to start" switch anyway. Years ago (maybe 7-10), that thing got "stuck" in such a way that the buzzer would not stop sounding. I just turned the knob to the left (silent - no alarm) and problem solved. I suppose it was around that time that I no longer had to push that knob-button to start the dryer. I have gotten so used to simply turning the timer to the cycle that I wanted to run that I had completely forgotten about the "push to start" button.
Since then it would get to the end of a cycle and stop. The only recent change has occurred is that now it gets to the end of a cycle and proceeds to the next cycle.
I'll go ahead and just replace both parts. Too bad the timer unit ($128.45) isn't the same price as the start switch ($19.30). :-)

Thanks again!

Regards, Tony

[santander]

Guys, how can you tell which start switch to use?
When I search repairclinic.com with the model number of my dryer (96566200) it actually shows 2 different start switches. One has 2 prongs, the other has 4.
Jeff, you listed the 4-prong switch. I was just curious how that is determined (short of me pulling the panel and laying eyes on it). Or are these 2 items labeled "starter switch" both used on this dryer in different places?

http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Start-Switch/3395382/2825?modelNumber=110.96566200 (http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=2825)
Push to start switch, 2 terminal
Manufacturer Number 3395382

http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Start-Switch/3395385/526865?modelNumber=110.96566200 (http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=526865)
Push to start switch, 4 terminal
Manufacturer Number 3395385

Thanks,
T.

[jeff1]

I looked it up by the model# and parts breakdown for that model.

jeff.