Kenmore dryer model 110.86581100

[cphifer5115]

Hey guys I have a Kenmore dryer that the auto dryer cycle doesn't seem to work. I put the clothes in and it does heat up but the clothes don't get dry. I end up having to use the timed dry cycle. What could be causing this problem? The model number is 110.86581100

 

[volvoguy87]

Sensors.

Did you know that fabric softener contains wax? I didn't! The wax coats the sensors and renders the sensor feature ineffective. The wax coating keeps moisture from touching the sensor strips, consequently the dryer thinks the clothes are dry when they are not. Clean the sensor strips with some denatured alcahol and all should be good again.

Dave

 

[DADoES]

What exactly are the details in reference to "the clothes don't get dry?"  If it *does* heat on both timed dry and auto dry, there's some other circumstance causing the trouble.  Does the machine shut off prematurely on auto dry?

Could be an exhaust obstruction causing the element to overheat and cut-out on the high-limit thermostat.  Most auto dry systems will advance the timer while the element is cut-out on high-limit as a safety factor.  This would possibly cause the auto dry cycle to end before the load is fully dry.

This unit also has an electronic control board that could be the fault.  It runs $92 to $95 at the parts sources I checked.  Look up your model number at SearsPartsDirect.com.  IIRC, the board is item #29 on the control panel diagram.
This link is to the board at PartsTap.com
Part Number 60150 -> 3398084

 

[cphifer5115]

ok thanks will try that. but does that mean i have to stop using fabric softener? and i use both the liquid for the rinse and the dryer sheets.

 

[volvoguy87]

Fabric Softener.

You're using too much fabric softener. Personally, I use the liquid and not much of it. The new super-concentrated stuff is like slime and I use VERY little (maybe 1 ounce), and then dilute that with hot water. Excessive fabric softener can also attract dirt so your things get dirty sooner.

In light of the fabric softener usage, I would recommend cleaning the sensor strips. Once the sensor is working properly, I would experiment with setting the timer for different levels of dryness. Don't let the clothes over-dry because they will get scratchy and stiff (the very thing fabric softener is supposed to combat). You may find you need significantly less fabric softener to achieve the levels of fabric comfort you desire once you can find a better dryness setting.

Dave

 

[appliguy]

I highly doubt to much fabric softener is the problem at all

I used liquid fabric softner when I lived at home and dried my clothes in an Whirlppol dryer with Accu Dry for 7 years and never had any problem and I still use liquid fabric softener where I live now with my Duet Sport pair and the electronic sensor in the dryer works very well. The problem you are talkikng about used to happen years ago with dryer SHEETS (that is why Whirlpool always used to reccomend the use of liquid fabric softner in the final rinse of the washer in all their dryer manuals in the 1970's). What was happening was as the dryer sheets heated and released their properties it would coat the electric sensor in the dryer so it could not detect the static electricity in the clothes when the got to be almost dry...so the dryer would just keep runnuing. Also from what I was told that the dryers that were the most sensitive to this were the Electronic Control Maytags.

 

[cphifer5115]

Ok I will stop using the dryer sheets and have reduced the amount of liquid fabric softener i used to fill the cap full but not i fill it to the lowest line in the cap then dilute with hot water. i do however think that the board DadoES mentioned might also be faulty too. I have found on that is new still in the box on ebay for only 25 plus shipping.

 

[cphifer5115]

Hey guys, the part for my dryer came today and I installed it and it fixed the problem. The auto dry cycle is not working like it's suppose too.

 

[combo52]

KM AUTO DRY CYCLE

Did work or not ? I am confused after reading your last post.

 

[cphifer5115]

oh sorry typo, it is now working like it's suppose too.

 

[appliguy]

You do not have to stop using dryer sheets if you do not wan

the dryer sheets made today do not cause that problem anymore. It was the ones made years ago that caused it. I believe that the ones made today use a different formula. All I know is my sister has used them for the last 8 years in her WHirlppod dryer with an Accu Dry Electronic Sensor and it ahs not caused a problem at all.......PAT COFFEY

 

[cphifer5115]

well that's what i was thinking, i used to have a maytag dryer that is made by whirlpool and i never had a problem with clothes drying in it due to the dryer sheets. but i had stoped using the dryer sheets and it still wasn't drying them good but not that i changed out this conrol board it works perfect now. But I guess I was using way too much fabric softener. I would fill the cap up full almost for the rinse cycle then also use a dryer sheet.