Kenmore
Drive Motor Stalled or Drum Binding
Dryer powers on but will not start; you hear a hum but drum does not turn
Advertisements
Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
Advertisements
Possible Causes
Worn or jammed drum rollers, seized idler pulley, broken or jammed belt, failing drive motor
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety First: Unplug the dryer and shut off gas. Do not keep trying to start a humming motor; it can overheat.
Steps:
- Check drum rotation: With power off, open the door and try to spin the drum by hand. It should turn smoothly. Stiff movement indicates mechanical binding.
- Inspect belt and idler: Remove the front or rear panel to access the belt and idler pulley. Replace a broken belt and ensure the idler spins freely.
- Check drum rollers: Inspect rear and front drum support rollers for flat spots or seized bearings. Replace rollers in pairs if worn.
- Test motor: With the belt removed, spin the motor shaft by hand. If stiff or noisy, replace the drive motor.
Advertisements
Repair Difficulty
Medium
3/5
Advertisements