How to Troubleshoot & Replace Ge AP4980900 / WE4M416 Dryer Push-To-Start Switch

Replaced the duct tape with a new switch 

I first looked up a place on the internet to see if I could find the part. I googled in your website and from there I started to use your parts catalog and your prints of the dryer parts to find what I needed. Two days later the parts arrived and putting them on was a cinch. 

The start button broke?!? I ordered another start button and it looked exactly like the one I had. I figured it would break as well, so I might as well try to fix the broken one. I unplugged the power, removed the back of the dryer console, disconnected the start switch from the button and the dryer, depressed the 3 pop out tabs to remove the button from the dryer. I put the switch back in place and reinstalled the back. I clipped off the 3 projections that kept the button from being removed from the front of the dryer. I removed the small metal retainer inside the button, then trimmed some pencil eraser ends to fit down in the button slot, then replaced the little metal piece, set the dryer to on and gave the button a push. Getting the right space from the eraser pieces took a couple tries. Once I had it right, I super-glued the little buggers in place and then reinstalled the metal piece. It should end up about flush with the hole it sits in. I understand that if the dryer falls over, or it is turned upside down sometime, the start button may fall out. It's okay I have another. Hotpoint is same as GE. 

It was the door switch. A bit difficult to get off but the new one went on quite easy 

Easy thanks to your on line video. Took me less than 5 minutes. 

Due to video and the availability of my part, my repair went perfectly. 

Replaced switch, which lasted for 3 months. During that replacement, I noticed that the start button was cracked. I "fixed" it temporarily with glue and tape, but after that, it started to fail intermittently. I then ordered the start button and replaced it, successfully. replacement took about 15 minutes. 

Ordered starter switch, door switch and thermal assembly. I put new starter switch in and did not fix. Then put in new door switch and again did not fix. The thermal assembly required more intense take down of the machine, so I called a repairman. He determined it was the thermal assembly that was bad and he would have to order the part. I told him I had that part. We now have a functioning dryer. ???? 

I replaced the interlock and start switches and the dryer is now working. I replaced the start switch first hoping it might be a solution before taking apart the dryer to get to and replace the interlock switch. The start switch ended up being unnecessary, but I left it in place and proceeded to replace the interlock switch. We're now up and running. Thank you very much for your information and assistance. 

Trial and error. Your website really help me fix it with you video's was so helpful. I didn't need the door switch. I ordered start button and the door switch so I could make sure I could get my dryer going to save on shipping and time. It took me less than 15 minutes to change out starter button. It works great now.