BigMac97
Premium Member
- Model Number
- 110.60902990
- Brand
- Sears Kenmore
- Age
- More than 10 years
Hi Jake & Team,
I’m really struggling on this one, confused about root cause and on what to do next. Hoping you can help.
ORIGINAL PROBLEM STATMENT: Clothes dryer stopped heating clothes. Drum spins, but heating element does not activate. Cutoff Fuse keeps blowing.
MODEL: Kenmore 110.60902990
Here’s a summary of steps taken so far:
DATE: 6/8/2023
EVENT: Clothes dryer stopped heating clothes. Drum spins, but heating element does not activate.
OBSERVED: Exhaust vent is clear, all the way to the outside of house.
ACTIONS: Following guidance at ‘https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/threads/fixed-kenmore-90-series-runs-minutes-dies-then-won%E2%80%99t-start.24058/post-146948’, I ohm'd out the thermal fuse, high-limit thermostat, thermal cutoff fuse, and the heating element. The only one that did not give continuity was the Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394). From repairclinic.com, I learned that the manufacturer replaced p/n 3977394 with p/n 279769. During purchase of part from local parts store, I noticed the package for p/n 279769 also contained a High-Limit Thermostat (p/n 3390291). Sales Rep at parts store informed me that “best practice” is to also replace the High-Limit Thermostat (at the same time), since the HLT might actually be the culprit, causing the cutoff fuse to pop. I replaced both.
PARTS REPLACED (2): Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394), High-Limit Thermostat (OEM p/n 3390291). Done on 6/9/23.
RESULT: Heating element activates now, and dryer starts working again.
DATE: 6/18/2023 (9 days since last event)
EVENT: Original symptom returned: Drum turns, but heating element does not activate.
ACTIONS: I ohm’d out same set of components. Again, found Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394) not giving continuity. Assumed Cutoff Fuse purchased on 6/8/23 was defective. Purchased and replaced both the Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394) and High-Limit Thermostat (OEM p/n 3390291) again. In addition, for good measure (and at recommendation of local Sales Rep at parts store), I also replaced the Cycling Thermostat (OEM p/n 8318268)… since it might be part of the equation here. (Note: replacement of Thermal Fuse was not considered, since it passes continuity test every time.) For further good measure, using a vacuum, I cleaned out all “dust bunnies” from around the motor, fan and floorboard of the dryer.
PARTS REPLACED (3): Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394), High-Limit Thermostat (OEM p/n 3390291), Cycling Thermostat (OEM p/n 8318268). Done on 6/23/23.
RESULT: Heating element activates now, and dryer starts working again.
DATE: 7/27/2023 (34 days since last event)
EVENT: Original symptom returned (again): Drum turns, but heating element does not activate.
ACTIONS: I ohm’d out same set of components. Again, found Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394) not giving continuity. What??? What is going on????? Deeper observation shows some of the foam seals around the lint chute and the blower fan may be leaking air. I hypothesize that if the leak is large enough, the fan will not be pulling enough air across heating element and out through the proper path, which could lead to overheating. So I made sure all of the seals around the blower fan and the lint chute were solid. I also (again) replaced the Cutoff Fuse and HL Thermostat.
PARTS REPLACED (3): Seals around lint chute, Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394), High-Limit Thermostat (OEM p/n 3390291). Done on 8/26/26.
RESULT: Heating element activates now, and dryer starts working again.
DATE: 9/14/23 (19 days since last event)
EVENT: Original symptom returned (again): Drum turns, but heating element does not activate.
What? What is going on here???
I am at my wit's end!!!!
I have already put $187 in this thing, and don’t want to keep burning through money. Looking for guidance on root cause.
Can you help?
Thanks,
BigMac97 (Sean)
I’m really struggling on this one, confused about root cause and on what to do next. Hoping you can help.
ORIGINAL PROBLEM STATMENT: Clothes dryer stopped heating clothes. Drum spins, but heating element does not activate. Cutoff Fuse keeps blowing.
MODEL: Kenmore 110.60902990
Here’s a summary of steps taken so far:
DATE: 6/8/2023
EVENT: Clothes dryer stopped heating clothes. Drum spins, but heating element does not activate.
OBSERVED: Exhaust vent is clear, all the way to the outside of house.
ACTIONS: Following guidance at ‘https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/threads/fixed-kenmore-90-series-runs-minutes-dies-then-won%E2%80%99t-start.24058/post-146948’, I ohm'd out the thermal fuse, high-limit thermostat, thermal cutoff fuse, and the heating element. The only one that did not give continuity was the Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394). From repairclinic.com, I learned that the manufacturer replaced p/n 3977394 with p/n 279769. During purchase of part from local parts store, I noticed the package for p/n 279769 also contained a High-Limit Thermostat (p/n 3390291). Sales Rep at parts store informed me that “best practice” is to also replace the High-Limit Thermostat (at the same time), since the HLT might actually be the culprit, causing the cutoff fuse to pop. I replaced both.
PARTS REPLACED (2): Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394), High-Limit Thermostat (OEM p/n 3390291). Done on 6/9/23.
RESULT: Heating element activates now, and dryer starts working again.
DATE: 6/18/2023 (9 days since last event)
EVENT: Original symptom returned: Drum turns, but heating element does not activate.
ACTIONS: I ohm’d out same set of components. Again, found Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394) not giving continuity. Assumed Cutoff Fuse purchased on 6/8/23 was defective. Purchased and replaced both the Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394) and High-Limit Thermostat (OEM p/n 3390291) again. In addition, for good measure (and at recommendation of local Sales Rep at parts store), I also replaced the Cycling Thermostat (OEM p/n 8318268)… since it might be part of the equation here. (Note: replacement of Thermal Fuse was not considered, since it passes continuity test every time.) For further good measure, using a vacuum, I cleaned out all “dust bunnies” from around the motor, fan and floorboard of the dryer.
PARTS REPLACED (3): Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394), High-Limit Thermostat (OEM p/n 3390291), Cycling Thermostat (OEM p/n 8318268). Done on 6/23/23.
RESULT: Heating element activates now, and dryer starts working again.
DATE: 7/27/2023 (34 days since last event)
EVENT: Original symptom returned (again): Drum turns, but heating element does not activate.
ACTIONS: I ohm’d out same set of components. Again, found Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394) not giving continuity. What??? What is going on????? Deeper observation shows some of the foam seals around the lint chute and the blower fan may be leaking air. I hypothesize that if the leak is large enough, the fan will not be pulling enough air across heating element and out through the proper path, which could lead to overheating. So I made sure all of the seals around the blower fan and the lint chute were solid. I also (again) replaced the Cutoff Fuse and HL Thermostat.
PARTS REPLACED (3): Seals around lint chute, Cutoff Fuse (OEM p/n 3977394), High-Limit Thermostat (OEM p/n 3390291). Done on 8/26/26.
RESULT: Heating element activates now, and dryer starts working again.
DATE: 9/14/23 (19 days since last event)
EVENT: Original symptom returned (again): Drum turns, but heating element does not activate.
What? What is going on here???
I am at my wit's end!!!!
I have already put $187 in this thing, and don’t want to keep burning through money. Looking for guidance on root cause.
Can you help?
Thanks,
BigMac97 (Sean)
