F26
Kenmore
Motor Drive System Error
Dryer displays F26 and may not start or may shut off unexpectedly
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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.
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Possible Causes
Failed drive motor, open motor winding, loose motor harness connection, defective main control motor relay
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety First: Unplug the dryer and shut off gas before working inside. The drum and motor can move unexpectedly.
Steps:
- Check drum movement: With power off, rotate the drum by hand. It should turn smoothly. Binding may indicate a seized motor or drum support issue.
- Inspect motor wiring: Remove the front or rear panel to access the drive motor. Check that all connectors are firmly attached and wires are not burned.
- Test motor windings: Disconnect the motor and measure resistance across the main and start windings. Compare to service manual specs. Open windings indicate a bad motor.
- Check belt and idler: Ensure the belt is intact and properly tensioned by the idler pulley. A jammed idler can overload the motor.
- Control board relay: If the motor tests good but does not receive power when the start command is given, the main control motor relay may be faulty and the board may need replacement.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
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