Frigidaire Made Kenmore Dryer - Troubleshooting Help

[variflexpghpa]

I have a Kenmore Dryer (Frigidaire Made) which will not shut off when using the auto dry settings. The run too long error gets displayed if I let it run way past the time the clothes are dry. The venting is clean and a short run 3ft.
This dryer is also located at a vacation home, so it sees very little use.

I have already replaced the termistor, and the auto dry still wont shut off. Have also tried using the less dry settings, and the problem still continues.

Before I replace the main board, I wanted to post the problem here and see if anyone can give me some troubleshooting help.

Thank You

 

[whirlcool]

Check the wiring that goes from the control panel to the drum sensor to make sure it didn't get clipped somewhere. When I recently repaired a dryer like yours the this wire snapped while I was maneuvering the front of the machine. I just used a wire nut to put it back together again. It works fine.

 

[golittlesport]

Isn't the sensor on that dryer below the door opening on the front of the drum? I think it is an easy access through the duct where the lint filter is to check the wiring. Unscrew the plastic piece that holds the filter. I've opened mine up there to clean out the duct once in a while.

 

[aptone1]

I think these dryer sense circuits look for current between the two rods. Since the circuit always sees the clothes as wet I would guess there is too much current flow between the electrodes. This could be due to a problem on the circuit board or some kind of conductive dirt on the sensors. Perhaps even a short somewhere in the wiring. If you can find its internal manual with the circuit diagram you could unplug the sensor rods to see if the problem goes away. If the machine sees the clothes as wet with the sensor unplugged the problem is in the board. If it thinks the clothes are dry the problem is with the sensor rods or wiring. I would start with a really good cleaning of the exposed rods in the drum.

 

[laundromat]

If it has a sensor, it's just under the lint filter frame in front. If you stick your head in and look, you'll see the double bar piece they use.

 

[variflexpghpa]

Thank You

I appreciate everyones hints and suggestions. This dryer has the metal bars (aluminum ?) below the lint filter. I have cleaned them with alcohol, tho I dont use F/S sheets or any F/S in the washer. Am I correct that during the auto dry cycle, when the clothes are pretty much dry, the control board reacts and starts a countdown to end the cycle. The dry clothes dont conduct across the 2 bars which means terminate the cycle.

So if the wires from the sensor are some how crimped or making contact with each other, then that would cause the control board to conclude the clothes are still wet and to continue heat and drying. Basically completing the circuit means wet clothes.

If the wiring is OK from the sensor bars to the board, and the problem contiunes
is it safe to say the board is bad and to replace it? I just want to make sure of this before spending the $100 plus.

Thanks again for your help

 

[aptone1]

I believe your understanding to be correct. Due to the cost of the board I would run the machine with the sensors disconnected and probably with the rods shorted together to be sure the board is broken. If there is no behavior difference between the disconnected and shorted cases then I would order a new board.