Do-It-Yourself Story

The Kenmore Elite Dryer went out a few days before Christmas. Need to save money since Brandon's inflation has been making it hard to make ends meet. I went to AppliancePartsPros.com and used their website trouble shooting page both in written text and videos to take apart the dryer test the various problem sites for continuity and make the diagnosis. Although no exact video for my dryer model #79669272000 on the website or on the internet I adapted as we did in Nam. In the back of the dryer, I removed the screw holding the triangular cover over the water tube used for the steam option and put it to the side. This allows for the top dryer hood to lift back after popping the 2 tabs on the front top edges of the dryer with a flat head screw driver. I preceded to remove the 4 Phillips screws around the face panel of the dryer. There are 2 more Phillips on top on each side holding the panel on. Remove these and the panel with the front door should come right off. Remove the lint screen. Remove the Phillips screws holding the blower motor cover/lint tunnel/front drum support and rollers piece. Place your hand under The drum to the left and pull the pulley rope off the pulley and spring tensioner. Now pull the drum and pulley rope out. The inside is exposed. Smokey The Bear tip: Vacuum out all the lint it's everywhere. Test the heating element (high limit thermostat), thermal fuse, blower thermostat, and motor. Need resistance number to test thermistor, AppliancePartsPros.com help line couldn't find the number in any of the sears service manuals so I bought this part extra just in case. However testing continuity with an audible sound ohms meter identified the my dryer problem as a dead high limit thermostat. Verified the part number and the thermistor insurance part with the helpful rep and had it shipped overnight and with God's blessing received the part the evening of Dec 23 2021. With my sons help reversed the steps with the 2 new replacement parts and have it up and running. He will have clean clothes on his return trip to Seattle on Dec 26th. A note: Remember to connect all the electronic connections you disconnected as you rebuild your dryer. Also putting the pulley rope back on the pulley and placing the drum in the proper position for both front and back wheels (4) is better done with 2 people. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!