Why does my dryer only work when I hold the button?

From the description of your problem the most likely cause of this is a bad motor relay but the problem can also be a bad control or connection. The good news is if the dryer runs when the start button is pressed then the timer, push to start switch, motor and door switch are all okay.

When I push the start button on my dryer nothing happens?





If the dryer start switch does not have continuity when it is activated, it will need to be replaced. The door switch is located near the dryer door and is activated when the door is closed. If the door switch fails, the dryer won’t start at all. Most door switches will make an audible click when they are activated.

What does it mean when your dryer won’t stay on?

All dryers stop when the door opens or the door switch detects the door opening, so a broken door strike, weak door catch or faulty door switch can cause the dryer to stop mid-cycle. A bad drive motor, failed timer or faulty electronic control board can also stop the dryer before the cycle ends.

How do you test a dryer start switch?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: You begin make sure the switch you're testing has been removed or isolated from the appliance use a probe to touch one of the switches terminals and the second probe to touch the other terminal.

How do you know if your dryer switch is bad?

As a safety feature, the dryer will not work with an open door. When the switch is broken, it is unable to tell the control panel the door is shut, so the dryer will not turn on. The only way to tell if the switch is faulty is to take it out of the dryer and test it with a multimeter.

Do you have to hold the start button on a GE dryer?





Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: It was sending power down to the motor. We know that the motor is good because i mean it's running whenever you hold the start button um door switch and all that's fine.

Why won’t my dryer start but has power?

A blown thermal fuse often prevents an electric dryer from starting. You’ll find the thermal fuse on the blower housing. Unplug the dryer and check the thermal fuse for continuity.

Does unplugging a dryer reset it?

Reset your dryer



Resetting your dryer is easy. Unplug it (or turn off power at the circuit breaker), wait some time for the electrical charge to clear out of the dryer (usually 1 to 5 minutes at most), and then power it up again. That’s it. That’s all it takes to reset.

How do you reset a clothes dryer?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And they're gonna fry if you do leave it unplugged for one minute. That's it plug it back in and then. Once you plug it back in open. And close the door. Six times within 12 seconds.

How does a dryer start switch work?



The dryer’s start switch is a momentary contact push switch that allows electricity to energize the motor. Once the motor has begun to spin, an expanding contact within the motor, called a centrifugal switch, expands to maintain contact after the start switch has been released.

How do you bypass the door switch on a dryer?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Make a jumper wire like this to bypass the switch. Apply solder to the ends. And then use a file and file down the ends until they fit the wire harness connect the jumper wire.

How much is a dryer fuse?

Other Costs to Fix a Dryer

Part Material Cost Total Cost
Thermal fuse $5 – $10 $80 – $130
Dryer thermostat $3 – $20 $180
Bearing $50 $130 – $250
Roller $10 – $30 $90 – $230

Where are dryer fuses located?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Location of the thermal fuse is right on the blower housing.

How long does a dryer last on average?

10-13 years

How long does a dryer last? A dryer should last 10-13 years. To extend the dryer’s life, clean the lint trap after each use and make sure the outer vent is clear as well.

How do I know if my thermal fuse is bad?

To test if your thermal fuse has blown, touch the right side of your multimeter lead to the right side of the fuse, and repeat with the left multimeter lead. If the multimeter needle fails to move, this indicates the thermal fuse has blown.

Will a dryer turn on if the thermal fuse is blown?



Will the dryer run if the thermal fuse is blown? Unlike a thermostat that can reset itself, once a dryer thermal fuse blows, it will need to be replaced with a new one before the dryer will run.

Can you tell by looking at a thermal fuse is blown?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If the fuse has continuity. It should be functioning properly. No continuity means the electrical path is broken and the fuse has blown out thermal fuses come in many shapes and sizes.

Will a bad thermal fuse dryer symptoms?

Symptoms. Many dryers simply will not run once a thermal fuse triggers. On other models, the drum continues to turn and the dryer operates, but the heating element does not. Clothes come out of the dryer wet once the appliance completes its drying cycle.

How do I reset my thermal fuse?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So if you have this issue and you keep spot or you trip this you may want to try drilling this. And then you got a little bit of pressure. And it resets. It. So if you're testing your dryer.