How to Repair a Motor in a Kenmore Dryer

The motor on your Kenmore dryer is the heart that pumps electricity to the different components in your dryer. When the motor will not operate, you will need to replace the motor as you cannot perform repairs to the motor. You can purchase a new motor from an appliance repair facility. You will need your model number so that you purchase the correct motor for your dryer. Once you have the motor, it is a matter of removing the lower toe panel access and removing the old motor.

Things You'll Need

• Flathead screwdriver
• Putty knife
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• 7/8-inch open end wrench
• 3/8-inch socket wrench
• Nut driver
• Needle nose pliers
• Replacement motor

Instructions

1. Disconnect the Kenmore dryer power cord from the dryer electrical outlet. Insert a flathead screwdriver or a putty knife between the toe panel and the front panel, four inches from the front right corner. Press the retaining clip that secures the toe panel to the dryer with the screwdriver or putty knife blade. Pull the toe panel away from the dryer.

2. Open the dryer door and pull the lint screen out from the bottom edge of the door opening. Remove the two screws that secure the lint duct to the dryer with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Lift the lint duct out of the bottom door lip and then close the dryer door.

3. Remove the two screws that secure the blower housing cover with a Phillips-head screwdriver. The blower housing is the part that contains the blower wheel. Pull the housing cover off after removing the retaining screws.

4. Place a 7/8-inch open-end wrench on the motor shaft behind the bower housing. Rotate the blower wheel to "lock" the wrench in place. Remove the bolt that secures the blower wheel to the motor shaft with a 3/8-inch socket wrench. Pay attention to the directional arrows on the wheel that indicate which way to turn the wheel to loosen. Some wheels are left-handed threads. Pull the wheel off of the motor shaft.

5. Disconnect the three screws that secure the blower housing to the base of the dryer with a nut driver. Tip the top of the blower housing toward you to access the wires that connect to the thermostat and thermal fuse.

6. Pull the wires off the thermostat and thermal fuse by grabbing the metal leads with a pair of needle nose pliers and pulling the leads off the component terminals. Pull the blower housing out of the dryer.

7. Remove the two bolts that secure the motor to the base of the dryer with the 3/8-inch socket wrench. Use one hand to reach between the motor and drum and push the idler pulley to the left to release the drum belt tension. While holding the idler pulley with one hand, slip the belt off the motor and idler pulley with your free hand. Slowly release the idler pulley after removing the belt.

8. Slide the motor to the right to pull the motor out of the retaining slots. Pull the wiring harness with your fingers to disconnect the wiring harness from the motor. Pull the motor out of the Kenmore dryer.

9. Place the new motor inside the dryer and connect the wiring harness to the motor. Push the wiring harness in with your fingers until the harness locks in place. Position the motor inside the retaining slots and attach the two securing bolts.

10. Push the idler pulley to the left with one hand, and route the belt around the motor shaft and idler pulley with the other hand. Slowly release the idler pulley to apply the belt tension.

11. Position the blower housing back into the dryer and reattach the wires to the thermostat and thermal fuse. Secure the housing to the base of the dryer with the retaining screws. Place the 7/8-inch wrench on the motor shaft behind the blower housing and push the blower wheel over the motor shaft. Secure the wheel to the motor shaft with the retaining bolt.

12. Reattach the blower housing cover using the retaining screws. Open the dryer door and insert the lint duct into the bottom lip of the door opening and secure the duct with the two retaining screws. Insert the lint trap into the lint duct and close the dryer door.

13. Place the toe panel back into position and push the panel in until the retaining clips lock in place. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.

Tips & Warnings

• Although access to the motor may vary slightly, the removal and installation of the dryer motor is generally the same.

• Always disconnect power to appliances before attempting repairs to them.

References

• Partselect.com : Dryer Motor Replacement
• Applianceaid.com : Change Dryer Motor

Resources

• Secured.whirlpool.com : Kenmore Dryer Owners Manual