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The Kenmore Elite HE3 is 7.2 cu. ft. capacity electric dryer by Kenmore.

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Buzzing Motor, Drum doesn't turn on its own.

My dryer stopped working, now the motor just loudly hums and it does not turn at all.

The belt is still on and if I push the door trigger in and turn the drum manually and press start the motor will turn the drum in whichever direction that I turn it.

I took the lid off and tried to turn drum but hand, it did turn and as it is supposed to be, it was stiff to turn.

I decided to test the strength of the motor so while i has it turning i put some resistance on the drum from the inside and it was plenty strong, the problem seems to be just getting the motor started.

Any clue on what could be causing this?

thanks

Update (06/14/2017)

I read online it could also be a lint jam... so, i have cleaned it all out, blew and vacuumed it... the support wheels seemed fine, I can turn the motor which turns the drum with just a pinky.

I will put it back together tonight and see how it goes.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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@slack could be bad start capacitor or possibly the start windings on the motor itself that have failed. this would require a replacement of the motor.

what is the exact model number of your dryer?

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Kenmore Elite He3... if you need another model number, where would I find it?

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I just vacuumed, lubricated everything, and started right up. All mechanical devices require service and lubrication at times 🤷

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I just replaced the rollers, but the drum does not turn freely, it requires pressure. Do the felt busing create enough friction to cause the need for pressure? The motor hums, but doesn't start.

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I'm having the same issue with buzzing and drum not turning but what I don't understand is that it only happens if the dryer hasn't been used for a while. If you run the dryer for a while it starts up without a problem. Any ideas?

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@slack, Dan, Do check to see if there is any foreign object that could be putting undo stress on drum/motor to keep it from turning. Use the link below for your service guide for trouble shooting Kenmore Elite HE3 : TEST #3 Motor Circuit, This test will check the wiring to the motor and the motor itself, Page #5 in guide and then required repair can be made. Good luck. I hope this helped you out, if so let me know by pressing the helpful button.

Kenmore-Elite-HE3-Dryer-Tech-Sheet.pdf

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11 Comments:

I will have to check the circuits, but I have never attempted anything like that before.

I did take the dryer apart, clean it out checked the rollers and everything, it all ran smoothly. I could turn the motor with my pinky finger and the drum turned.

The belt looked great, no issues there.

When I put tape over the door switch, hit start and manually push start the drum, the cycle runs flawlessly.

It must have something to do with the starter or whatever circuit / capacitor starts the whole thing up... I am not sure exactly how I would fix that anyway... but, right now, I have still be using the dryer with the push start method.

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Hey Dan, just wondering if you solved this? I'm having the same issue.

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Same issue here! Push start button. Hold in door catch and give it a push with my hand - starts spinning and is fine.

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I know this is an older post but I really need help. Was this ever solved? exact same issue. If I remove the belt there is no issue starting at all. with belt on the drum needs assistants.

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@Karah McIntosh

What is the model number of the dryer?

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Hi - I made a reply comment above because I was still in the discovery phase of my dryer, a Kenmore 800 series…I think also referred to as Elite. But that doesn’t matter….here are the findings and resolution on mine in case it is helpful for you.

# My motor was bad. These dryer motors don’t use a “starting capacitor” like some of us electrical types might expect. Instead it uses a separate “Start Winding” on the motor to get it going. Bad start winding…motor needs to be replaced. As everybody agrees, if your drum runs normal after a manual push….the start winding is bad….period.

  1. It’s important to consider the root-cause of the start winding going bad. Turns out my dryer had a seized idler pulley. The pulley was completely seized and the belt was dragging across the pulley and wore through most of it. My wife reported strange drum/rotation sounds many months ago. So my conclusion is that the pulley started seizing MANY months ago and the motor has had to endure those tough starts for all that time…..and continued to dry that way without ever breaking the belt or failing!! So we can credit the great motor and kevlar belt for doing all that extra work…..and no credit for the piece of crap pulley that used to last 50 years on old dryers!!

CONCLUSION: if your dryer hums, but the drum will start running with a manual push (while holding door switch), then you need the motor…probably a #279787. Unless your motor failed because you’re throwing 150-LBS of wet clothes in it…there is probably another issue in there, so I would recommend an automatic change of the belt and the pulley. If you’re taking the whole thing apart…you might as well have the parts you will probably need.

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I'm having the same problem, but it started about a week after I purchased a new motor ?, I'm trying to resolve it now

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well guess what folks I had the same issue with my Maytag centennial dryer it would hum and the drum would not spin turned out to be that one of the springs that help open and close the centrifugal switch had one of the corners that hold it in place break off guess from the vibration it wore it out. when I opened it I saw the spring just laying there but did not know where it belonged so I went to YouTube and discovered how to put it back together by drilling a 1/16 hole and whalaaaaa it was up and running like new. hope this info helps anyone looking to fix your dryer by doing it yourself and saving hundreds of dollars... the way this country is going looks like we need to save every penny out there.

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Hi @richardjgabel,

If possible manually operate the door switch and with the motor humming, manually rotate the drum and check if it then continues to rotate by itself.

Be safety aware if it does continue operating. Don't get your hand/arm caught

If it continues to turn this usually indicates that it is either a faulty start capacitor connected to the motor (if there is one) or a faulty start winding in the motor.

What is the model number of the dryer?

Update (11/14/23)

Hi @richardgab31622

Here's the service manual that may help.

Om p.17 it shows how to check the motor.

If the centrifugal switch is OK it may be that the start winding is faulty.

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It's LG DLEX3570W

I replaced the drum rollers, but the drum does not rotate without some pressure. I thought it was the felt padding or making the motor turn.

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Cause 1

Drive Belt

The drive belt is a very long, slender belt that wraps all the way around the dryer drum, around a tension pulley, and then around the drive motor pulley. Over time, the belt can break from normal use. If the belt is broken, the dryer won’t turn. To quickly determine if the belt is broken, reach into the dryer and turn the drum by hand. If the drum spins very easily, the belt is likely broken. Next, inspect the belt to confirm that it is broken. If the belt is broken, replace it.

Cause 2

Drum Roller

Most dryers have two drum rollers on the rear of the drum, and some dryers have two more rollers supporting the front of the drum. The rollers must spin freely to work properly. If the drum rollers are worn out, the dryer won’t turn properly. To determine if the support rollers are worn out, remove the belt from the dryer and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum does not rotate freely, check the support rollers for wear. If one or more of the rollers are worn out, we recommend replacing all of the rollers at the same time as a preventative measure. (The roller shaft can often be reused if it is in good condition. Clean the shaft thoroughly before installing the new rollers.)

Cause 3

Drum Roller Axle

Most dryers have two drum support rollers on the rear of the drum, and some dryers have two more rollers supporting the front of the drum. The rollers must spin freely to work properly. Over time, the drum roller axles can wear out, causing the rollers to bind. If the rollers are worn out or start binding, the motor will get overloaded and the dryer won’t turn. To determine if the support rollers are worn out, remove the belt from the dryer and try turning the drum by hand. If the drum does not rotate freely, check the support rollers for wear. If the rollers spin freely without wobbling, they do not need to be replaced. If a roller wobbles and/or does not spin freely, we recommend replacing all of the axles and rollers as a preventative measure.

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All of these issues seemed to check out and be in good shape. :/

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On most Kenmore Elite dryers, the model number sticker is around the opening of the door. Open the dryer door and look around the outside of the door opening. Some dryers have the sticker on the bottom left or right side. Some dryers have the sticker on the top right side.

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Hi @scottcrawshaw

What is the model number of your washer?

Try disconnecting the power to the dryer and removing the drive belt and check if the drum is hard to turn by hand. It may be a faulty roller bearing or even a tub shaft bearing that is initially stiff but frees up after use.

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ok folks hope this helps someone i have the maytag centennial dryer mgd3000bw0 and i noticed a spring on the bottom that had fallen out of one of the weights that opens the cintrifugal switch. once i figured out how to put it back on my dryer was working like new. with it staying open it was causing it to humm and not want to spin the drum. hope that helps.

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The motor in the dryer is bad

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Dan Slack will be eternally grateful.
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