Symptons: When I push the Start button the dryer only runs from 1 to 50 secs. Question: What is the best way to diagnose the problem. How can I rule out some of the possible causes of the problem. Or just plain whats wrong with it. My Wife's Hypothesis: I broke it by turning the timer to fast.
Its a two year old Kenmore Gas Dryer (Model 110.72952100). It has a temperature controller and a moisture controller, but we never use the cycle that requires those features.
At this point I believe the problem could be a bad push button, a bad timer, or a bad microcomputer.
Push button - I don't really know the entire function of this push button. Is it truly just a start button to initiate the cycle and then its job is over. If so then the fact that it starts at all would rule this out as the problem. On the otherhand, if it actually turns the dryer on and keeps it on then maybe this is the problem. Which would be good because it only costs about $5. If I hold the button in it continues to run.
Timer - The timer continues to run even after the dryer stops, but its running about 5 to 10 times faster than real time.
The heat doesn't seem to be coming on either.
Sears also sells a repair manual. Does anyone have any experience with their repair manuals. Would it help me diagnose this problem. I'm fairly skeptical of the diagnosis charts I find in the normal paperwork they send. They usually stop pretty quick after "is the appliance plugged in" and "do you have a blown fuse".